Time for a palette cleanser. While color is important this spring, you’ll see it set against a canvas of neutrals. There’s a certain optimism to the crisp khakis and clean whites, a refreshing vulnerability to the sheer fabrications. And, because fashion is a constant contradiction, there’s also a welcome liberation in returning to the ’70s, with its free-flowing prints and silhouettes.
Who better to model the season of rebirth and reinvention than our hometown talent? Inspiration abounds —never more so than this month, when dozens of Twin Cities–based designers will present their original collections as part of MNfashion Week and other local fashion events.
ELENA MERCURIO
Age: 23
Lives In: Prior Lake
Credentials: B.A. in apparel design from University of Wisconsin-Stout; a summer at Parsons The New School for Design; fashion internships in New York and Los Angeles
Game Plan: Pondering a move to New York, Los Angeles, or Austin, Texas, to expand her business
Recent Show: Participated in Avoid the Grey in January
Spring Collection: Modern take on the ’70s with shorter hemlines, more structural silhouettes, chiffon overlay, and bold print
Where to buy: Cliché
DANIELLE EVERINE
Age: 25
Lives In: Minneapolis
Credentials: Studied fine arts at the University of Minnesota
Defining Moment: A designer from Target saw her collection in the Pale Rider fashion show last fall and eventually offered her a job.
Day Job: Intimates designer for Target Upcoming Show: Voltage: Fashion Amplified on April 15
Spring Concept: Bringing light to the intricate inner workings of tailored clothing by taking sheer to the extreme
Where to Buy: Cliché
GEORGE MOSKAL
Age: 34
Lives In: St. Paul
Credentials: Studied apparel design at University of Wisconsin-Stout; won a design contest judged by Stella McCartney, and got to design a capsule collection for Topshop in the U.K.; former Target textile designer
Claim to Fame: Made it to the last round of tryouts for Project Runway in the Christian Siriano season
Day job: Designer for J.L. Buchanan
Upcoming Show: First solo show for MNfashion on April 13 Spring Collection: “It’s inspired by the ease and elegance of the French woman.”
Where to Buy: georgemoskal.com
JENNY CARLE
Age: 26
Lives In: St. Paul
Credentials: B.A. in apparel design and art from the College of St. Catherine; launched Jenny Carle Designs in 2008
Day Job: Waitress
Upcoming Show: Envision: Artopia Spring 2011 on April 9
Inspiration: Vintage design. Her spring collection takes cues from 1930s and ’40s sportswear.
Affirmation: Seeing someone out on the town in a dress she designed. “I think it is possible to make it as a fashion designer in Minnesota.”
Where to Buy: Cliché
TERRI MARTIN
Age: 24
Lives In: Minneapolis
Credentials: Graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, & Planning; interned at Calvin Klein, Martin + Osa, Target, and Coach
Day Job: Menswear designer for Target
Upcoming Show: Voltage: Fashion Amplified on April 15
Favorite Spring Trend: “I’m really into neutrals with pops of color. White, black, mossy green.”
Local Scene: “People are so interested in cultivating fashion here and working with new designers.”
Where To Buy: tmterrimartin.com