Fashion fortified

The biannual MNfashion Week is threatening to grow into a MNfashion Month, with official and unofficial events happening now through April 23. Here are highlights from the first few days. Check next week for the rest, including the signature Voltage: Fashion Amplified at First Avenue on April 15.

If hairstyling were a major, Pearson Knight would teach the master class. After leading hair for Aveda-sponsored New York Fashion Week shows like Rodarte, the renowned hairstylist is kicking off MNfashion Week with Smart and Chic Beauty Lounge. A runway show will also feature the debut collection by longtime Minneapolis stylist Gail Lewis.

Ignite Models' semi-annual Envision has become a staple of MNfashion Week. The runway show includes a dozen local designers, from established (Amanda Christine, K.Jurek, Russell Bourrienne) to emerging (Jenny Carle, YQY by vivian) alongside spring offerings from locally owned boutiques.

This year the MNfashion team is launching "The MNfashion Shows," two nights of runway events highlighting local designers. It kicks off Wednesday with upcycled line CounterCouture and Voltage vet George Moskal, a designer with an extraordinary eye for detail and knack for modernizing classic styles.

Day 2 of the MNfashion-produced Shows will feature the latest lines from Emma Berg, (sophisticated yet quirky women's wear) and Kevin Kramp (men's knitwear). Although the two Voltage alumni couldn't have more different aesthetics, both share an out-of-the-box perspective on design.