MNFashion Week: 5 'Bright' fashion stars showcase Victorian looks made modern

How will this look translate to modern style?

​Tonight, MNFashion Week will host its official kick-off party at Bar Lurcat, where the
local community will have a chance to mingle, sip on half-priced drinks, and plan their social calendars for the next week. This weekend Bright Society, a sophisticated event that mixes vintage and modern style, will showcase looks from five local designers. Max Lohrbach, Samantha Rei, Russell Bourrienne, Danielle Everine, and Laura Fulk have each created an original garment inspired by a piece from the Historical Society's collection.

Max Lohrbach, known for his sophisticated ready-to-wear looks and his fun, one-of-a-kind party dresses, says that he loves fashions from previous decades. He sews his dresses on an antique machine, and gets a lot of his inspiration from vintage trends.

"I've been involved in two RetroRamas [a retro fashion event] with the Historical Society and it's been a great fit for me," says Lohrbach. "I like conveying historicism in clothes."

Sketch by Max Lohrbach

​For this event, each designer selected a vintage garment to draw inspiration from, creating a unique new look that will be shown during the party's informal fashion show. Lohrbach chose a navy blue Victorian dress, and created a piece that he describes as "luxury active wear."

"I'm excited to see my garment on the model," says Lohrbach. "That's when it really comes to life."

The local designer is also eager to see what the other four have created, and says that with their talent and technical skills it is sure to be a good presentation.

In addition to fashion, guests will enjoy music by Matthew Curney of the local Britney Spears cover band Spearz, specialty food and drinks, a look at the Historical Society's collection of clothing, and the opportunity to explore the Alexander Ramsey House. Guests will also have a chance to ask the designers questions via a discussion panel moderated by Robyne Robinson.

IF YOU GO:
MNfashion Week: Bright Society
Sunday, October 2
Alexander Ramsey House
265 S. Exchange St., St. Paul
Free
2-5 p.m.
For more info, visit mnfashionweek.com

Photo by Stacy Schwartz

A design by Max Lohrbach hits the runway at 2011's Voltage

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