MNfashion's the Shows: Night one

Stacy Schwartz

Over the past few years, MNfashion has undergone a transformation from a fledgling organization that solely highlights events hosted by local designers to also curating its own stylish social happenings.

For the first night of the Shows, MNfashion's two-day runway party, the West Banks' Aria proved to be the perfect, shabby-chic location. The beautiful wooden chairs (a step up from the folding metal ones of yesteryear) and the up-close-and-personal catwalk created an ideal setting for the first night of Minneapolis-St. Paul Fashion Week's main event.

Last night brought five designers together: Gina Marie Vintage, Nicole Larson, Max Lohrbach, Kjurek, and Ivan Idland. Some collections gave off a casual, ready-to-wear vibe while others emphasized high-fashion silhouettes and concepts.

See also:
Incredible looks from The Shows, February 2013

Gina Marie Vintage

Stacy Schwartz

Gina Marie Vintage

Designer Gina Landes channeled a '90s vibe in her latest collection with simple wrap dresses, loose-fitting tops, layered chiffon prints, and shirts knotted at the waist. The designer thrives at creating pieces that can work in any wardrobe, for nearly any occasion, while remaining simple and comfortable. On many pieces Landes used a solid bar at the nape of the neck to connect the neckline. It was a nice touch in terms of both aesthetics and practicality, as sometimes even the best-hung, loose-fitting shirts can fall out of place. Her muted color palette of ecru, black, and maroon could work for just about any season. Most outfits were topped off with a jaunty little beret that would look stylish both on the runway and off.

Stacy Schwartz

Nicole Larson

Nicole Larson

Most of Nicole Larson's line focused on menswear with a modern fairytale huntsman vibe. With forest greens, plaids, and various shades of burgundy and pink, the color scheme was kept mostly in a natural palette, emphasizing the exquisite fabric work. This could especially be seen on the jackets, which includes fur details, ribbed sleeves, and embossed shapes. While not all of Larson's looks could be easily worked into the average Minnesota man's closet, there were a few pieces that would make great wardrobe staples, like her bright blue skinny pants with zipper detailing at the ankle. Larson's portion of the show ended with a spectacular plaid mini-dress, perfect for any winter get-together, detailed with a faux-fur collar and cuffs.

Stacy Schwartz

Max Lohrbach

Max Lohrbach

Having been a fan of Lohrbach's for a while, it was impossible to not be excited for his latest work. True to form, he didn't disappoint. Lohrbach's newest line for both men and women was a mix of constellations and confections, a sweet collection called "I Made You Something." Lohrbach's hand-painted pieces were filled with delectable slices of pies, cakes, twinkling stars, and classic flowers, all of which could be wearable on special occasions. Lohrbach's imaginative line also included a "blood" scarf, and an animal-shaped stole. A running theme in the collection included artfully shredded shirts and pants with cutouts for men, and A-line skirts that fell at the knee for women.

Stacy Schwartz

KJurek

Kjurek

This year, Kimberly Jurek of Kjurek was all about faux suede. With long-sleeved wrap dresses, asymmetrical pencil skirts, and slightly flared leggings, Jurek gave each of her pieces a soft touch with strands of fabric hanging or tied at key points on the models' silhouettes. The collection had a distinct '70s feel thanks to the faux suede, vests, geometric-print chiffon, and a color scheme of brown, plum, and coral-red. Jurek's standout piece was a dark-printed, fitted-sleeve kimono draped perfectly over the model's frame, the charmeuse fabric giving a liquid-like illusion as it shimmered down the catwalk.

HAUS salon created some incredible hair artistry throughout the evening, especially during Jurek's collection. The subtle crimp on the models' Gibson Girl-inspired up-dos was a divine, intricate addition to the modest collection.

Stacy Schwartz

Ivan Idland

Ivan Idland

Ivan Idland closed out the first night of the Shows with a collection that didn't miss a step. Combining stylized chevron patchwork with other patterns and fabrics, the collection was a huge hit with the audience, and received a standing ovation after he graced the catwalk. One of his strongest pieces was a pair of black wool, high-waisted, wide-legged pants with suspenders. The chevron patchwork, paired with a delicate lace blouse, really emphasized the theme of his collection: bold juxtaposed with delicate. Another crowd-favorite was the checkered, asymmetrical jacket that trailed down to the knee on one side, and tucked in at the waist on the other. However, the pièce de résistance of Idland's line was, without a doubt, a dreamlike white gown that was reminiscent of something a snow queen might wear.

The second night of the Shows is 6:30 p.m. tonight at Aria.