Lark (noun.)
Something done for fun, especially something mischievous or daring; an amusing adventure or escapade.
LARK, co-presented by the historic Minneapolis Club, presented by TIM+THOM, in partnership with Fashion Week Minnesota, was an engaging runway event, highlighting our vibrant local design community. Fans and supporters of fashion were invited to view collections by TIM+THOM, Samantha Rei, Jagress Intimates and introducing Notch member and emerging designer Shiader Vue; with runway accessories provided by Apatico and Black Spoke Leather Co.
This past Friday Eve, during Minnesota's inaugural Fashion Week MN, I had the immense honor of being invited to the Lark show at The Minneapolis Club as a guest and to write a review. I was extremely excited as I am a huge lover and supporter of all 3 designers showcasing. Samantha Rei, Tim + Thom and Shiader Vue.
Upon arrival, I was greeted pleasantly and directed to go upstairs right away. (We all hate the awkward moment of WTF do I go right?) I immediately felt the almost theatrical and over the top atmosphere by the dramatic (and amazing) music, dark decor and historic decor of the venue and the attire of those attending. One thing I have always appreciated about both a Samantha Rei Show and a Tim + Thom production is the fun, festive and dramatics of their events/shows. On a production view, it just stands out to be their difference maker in a sea of shows this season. I could wear a full theatre costume and not only would nobody look at me like I had gone crazy, but I would probably be praised for it. That is part of the fun festiveness I was referring to. To say I "Had a Lark" moment or two while I was there, would be putting it lightly. Without further ado.. My Lark Fashion Show Review.
Upon arrival, I was greeted pleasantly and directed to go upstairs right away. (We all hate the awkward moment of WTF do I go right?) I immediately felt the almost theatrical and over the top atmosphere by the dramatic (and amazing) music, dark decor and historic decor of the venue and the attire of those attending. One thing I have always appreciated about both a Samantha Rei Show and a Tim + Thom production is the fun, festive and dramatics of their events/shows. On a production view, it just stands out to be their difference maker in a sea of shows this season. I could wear a full theatre costume and not only would nobody look at me like I had gone crazy, but I would probably be praised for it. That is part of the fun festiveness I was referring to. To say I "Had a Lark" moment or two while I was there, would be putting it lightly. Without further ado.. My Lark Fashion Show Review.
| Above: At the Lark show with the designer of my badass leather number, Bris Carbajal. She is an extremely talented and creative resent grad from MCTC. Her student showcase was better than some NYFW shows I have been to. I'm obsessed with her work and whenever I can wear her creations I jump at the chance! Follow and help support her @Brislarara *Photo by Bobbile Ba Photography |
Shiader Vue - "Travertine"
Caroline Royce Photography Model: Karlee Callender
Up and coming designer Shiader Vue presented her F/W 2016 collection "Travertine". Shiader's inspirations come from nature, texture, and art. Travertine is a form of limestone deposited by hot springs and produces colors of white, grey, tan, rust and gold variations.
I most defiantly saw the connection to the name and inspiration in the color palette she chose. The opening look had the most beautiful rust color top and metallic pants. The interesting texture of the top was amazing and made me stop and gawk gaaaah! I was so impressed by not only the creativeness of the first 3 looks, but also even though very high fashion, very wearable as well. She stayed true to her slightly edgy and dramatic aesthetic as a designer, and still kept it interesting and fresh. Her last 3 more evening wear looks didn't impress me as much. Although I did love the color palette used, the sillottes themselves where fairly basic, overdone and ill fitting to the models. I did enjoy that the collection had both edgy more ready to wear designs as well as evening wear, but the two didn't flow together very seamlessly. Other than that, small constructive critisisim, the collection was impressive and I enjoyed it tremendously. The technical quality was defiantly there as well. Her model selection was strong with a nice variety of looks. Hair and makeup, totally on point! I can't tell you how often this is such a miss! I loved the dramatic dark modern cat eye. Very cool. The music was fitting and good. Overall a very strong collection and I'm so excited to see what else is in store for this very talented designer.
Follow her journey at www.ShiaderVue.squarespace.com
Get Social with her
Instagram @Shiadervue
Twitter @Shiadervue
Facebook: Shiader Vue
I most defiantly saw the connection to the name and inspiration in the color palette she chose. The opening look had the most beautiful rust color top and metallic pants. The interesting texture of the top was amazing and made me stop and gawk gaaaah! I was so impressed by not only the creativeness of the first 3 looks, but also even though very high fashion, very wearable as well. She stayed true to her slightly edgy and dramatic aesthetic as a designer, and still kept it interesting and fresh. Her last 3 more evening wear looks didn't impress me as much. Although I did love the color palette used, the sillottes themselves where fairly basic, overdone and ill fitting to the models. I did enjoy that the collection had both edgy more ready to wear designs as well as evening wear, but the two didn't flow together very seamlessly. Other than that, small constructive critisisim, the collection was impressive and I enjoyed it tremendously. The technical quality was defiantly there as well. Her model selection was strong with a nice variety of looks. Hair and makeup, totally on point! I can't tell you how often this is such a miss! I loved the dramatic dark modern cat eye. Very cool. The music was fitting and good. Overall a very strong collection and I'm so excited to see what else is in store for this very talented designer.
Follow her journey at www.ShiaderVue.squarespace.com
Get Social with her
Instagram @Shiadervue
Twitter @Shiadervue
Facebook: Shiader Vue
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Samantha Rei - "Ruby, Opal, Pearl"
Photo by BobbilLe Ba Photography
Samantha R Crossland showcased her S/S 2016 collection "Ruby, Opal, Pearl" for her Samantha Rei label. This collection was inspired by her great-grandmother Ruby and a need to connect with her heritage. Ruby, Opal, Pearl is a study of 1930's simplicity, family and hope. It embodied the sweetness and femininity that we have come to expect from her creations as well as have her recognizable aesthetic of pleats, darts, fit & flair style dresses and her strong almost theatrical over the top look. I love that her collections have a heavy theme, a strong story line and meaning. Never a dull collection and certainly never boring. Her mind fascinates me and I have yet to meet another designer whom I can see and feel their thought process, their passion, and their clear inspiration in every perfect stitch of their pieces. She has the ability to draw you in to the collection and make you feel like you are part of it. With every look carefully thought out in show order, the models that subtly showed emotion and feelings as if they were acting out a part. They walked with a sense of pride in their shoulders, a slight smirk or smile of joy and happiness on their lips and yet a look of pain and struggle in their eyes. Samantha is known for not only casting unique models but also giving them characters and describing to them how they should feel in her garments. It obviously works because her execution of her fashion shows are more captivating than some broadway plays I have been to. And the music. My goodness the music. In the first 5 seconds before the models even hit the runway, I felt as though I was being taken back in time to 1930's southern Alabama. It was perfection. * Hear the opening song and watch the video *
To say I loved this collection would be a vast understatement. I almost don't have words that are equivalent.
To say I loved this collection would be a vast understatement. I almost don't have words that are equivalent.
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Model: Kyle Wagner (obviously I freaked out a little about his manbeard. I'm a fan)
To find out more about Samantha Rei and to order her designs go to www.samantharei.com
Get Social with her
Instagram @Samanthareiofficial
Twitter @thesameantharei
Facebook/Tumblr: SamanthaReiClothing
TIM + THOM - "Amalgam"
Amalgam marked the return of the TIM +THOM collaborative process. The collection was designed for those who are not defined by season or gender and those who are not relegated by social norms.
That above description alone should tell you how powerful this collection was and how much meaning, strength and inspiration was present in each piece.
The entire collection was black and white. Each piece exciting and different but cohesive within the collection. The design strength and style of TIM + THOM were present, with their classic tailoring skills and impeccable fit shinning bright. But I loved seeing some fresh and unexpected silhouettes as well. With both male and female models/designs, I could clearly see that didn't matter in their design thought process and the jacket and pant look (probably my fav of the entire collection) that a male model rocked fiercely, I too could easily rock. I. Freaking. Love. That.
It was also truly seasonless. (fairly confident that is not a word, but I'm making it one. Stop judging me)
With a flowy sleeveless maxi dress, then the next look pants and a jacket. Any look could be worn anytime and so many of the pieces could be mixed and matched. So really you just need the whole collection!
Many gasp were made.. Many heads turned and looked at me as I couldn't contain my excitement and connection to certain pieces. That's what fashion is all about. That's what designing is all about! Making statements. Having moments. Arousing emotions and feelings from people by your creations. After their showcase, the adorable brother duo joked they needed a drink and breathed a sigh of relief. Most people don't fully understand the level at which it takes to create a collection of this magnitude. You have to love it and it's apparent in their pieces that they do. It's rare I see a collection with this level of strength but also softness, power and feeling. It would make a killer look book with dramatic styling. I hope that they release one. I tip my hat to them for this collection. I not only think it's the best work they have ever produced but also in the top of what I'm seeing this season anywhere.
Learn more about TIM + THOM and order at www.TimPlusThom.com
Get Social with them
Instagram @TimPlusThom
Twitter @TIMPLUSTHOM
Facebook: TIM + THOM
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Above Photos of Amalgam taken by Bobbile Ba Photography
Credits:
TIM+THOM event production team for LARK includes:
Chief Creative Director: Thom Navarro
Director of Operations: Tim Navarro
Social Media Director: Brieann Thelen
Art Director: Kelsey Johnston
Promotions: Lucie Jane Mulligan
Graphic Design by Jaisa Blegen
MUH
Photo by Caroline Royce. Look by Tim+Thom. Model Elly Olson
Last but not least, lets talk Hair & Makeup. Something that I feel is often overlooked as "not as important" and certainly overlooked in press. It is true we are there to admire the fashion, but how could I do that if I'm distracted by the train wreck above the neck...gaaahhh! We have all seen it before. Having had a career prior to my fashion life as a hair and makeup artist. (Makeup still will always be my art form and love to pick up brushes whenever I can) I am extremely critical on this area. I was not prepared for the awesomeness that was going to be bestowed upon me this evening. The hair was on another level. I honestly don't have any words. Many times hair is kept simple and done in a style that doesn't require much time. This hair looked like it took hours to prep. The makeup, especially in Shiader Vue's collection (although all were epic) was perfection. The clean lines and precision of the smokey cat eye - True artistry. Even not being that close up to the models I could see it well. Beautiful skin tones where matched to perfection! In Samantha's showcase I especially noted the beautiful glow and the seamless match in their skin tones. I loved that her collection had "barely there" makeup. It fit the theme and still had a powerful statement. More isn't always more in fashion. Sometimes the softness and subtle touches can be the most beautiful.
But the part of the evening when gasp and ahhhhhhrrrrgggggssss came out of my mouth (ok the loudest anyway) was when TIM + THOM'S collection came out. The Hair. Oh. My. Gosh. Piled sky high in uber high fashion and unique ways, it was just spectacular. Let's take a moment to appreciate this vital part of fashion and admire ALL elements of an epic look.
Director of Hair: Mahogany Plautz of CARVE SALON - carvehairsalon@gmail.com
Fiona Burr & Zoe Copolus of Head to Toe Salon
Sica Dawn and Hannah Felice of The Fox Den Salon
De Demry-Sanders - sdemrysanders@yahoo.com
Director of Makeup: Annie Shurson
Kate Moran, Sarah Elizabeth, Sarah Notaro, Sarah Capers
(side note: That's a crazy amount of Sarah's on one team..just saying)
Back stage prep is crazy, but it's an excitement and rush that can't be captured or compared to anything. These photos certainly help tell the story of the calm before the storm.
Thank you to Alex Butterfield/AXField Photography for the back stage photos.
But the part of the evening when gasp and ahhhhhhrrrrgggggssss came out of my mouth (ok the loudest anyway) was when TIM + THOM'S collection came out. The Hair. Oh. My. Gosh. Piled sky high in uber high fashion and unique ways, it was just spectacular. Let's take a moment to appreciate this vital part of fashion and admire ALL elements of an epic look.
Director of Hair: Mahogany Plautz of CARVE SALON - carvehairsalon@gmail.com
Fiona Burr & Zoe Copolus of Head to Toe Salon
Sica Dawn and Hannah Felice of The Fox Den Salon
De Demry-Sanders - sdemrysanders@yahoo.com
Director of Makeup: Annie Shurson
Kate Moran, Sarah Elizabeth, Sarah Notaro, Sarah Capers
(side note: That's a crazy amount of Sarah's on one team..just saying)
Back stage prep is crazy, but it's an excitement and rush that can't be captured or compared to anything. These photos certainly help tell the story of the calm before the storm.
Thank you to Alex Butterfield/AXField Photography for the back stage photos.
As always, I hope I inspired you to get involved in your local fashion community. Wherever that may be, most major cities have some sort of Fashion Week. Search for fashion groups on social media, join or follow your local chapter of Fashion Group International (FGI). Check out calendars of events on local media outlets. Follow your local fashion bloggers and writers. Just get involved and support them.
I love being able to go to NYFW and I love to travel, but know that you don't have to go to New York or LA to be inspired. That there is fashion, art and creativity all around you... you may just have to look for it a little harder sometimes.
Stay Fabulous Loves,
Xo
Tressie
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