Fashion Guide to Art-A-Whirl

It’s not that I lack a soft-spot for watercolors. But when a girl’s got a teensy budget to mind, such as I do, that bit of cash seems so much better directed when spent on … well, let’s just call it wearable art, for politics sake. (I’m all for supporting those NE Artists!) Far as … Read more

What's a Go go?

An update on the Target Go International project: But first, I should say that, in the past, these “flights of fashion” have had me on the edge of my seat. I was very excited, for example, about the Proenza Schouler line. Actually, to let ya’all in on a little secret: My local Salvation Army store … Read more

Fashion Strides

Because registration just opened for the Twin Cities Marathon (and, as of now, is still open), I’m still stuck on the issue of running fashion. Huge strides (hardy-har!) have been made in this area as of late, with much thanks to the running skort (an Adidas version is seen at left, as modeled by my … Read more

Lady, That Bra Does Not Fit!

Here’s a topic that flares up passions: bras. Or rather, the need to wear better-fitted ones, since the well-endowed among us can cause duress–to others, and especially themselves, while running around the lakes! Yikes! If you crave control or maybe even less back fat, you might care to know that Fit for the Cure is … Read more

Isaac Mizrahi for the Back of Your Closet.

Big news from the “Design for All” movement: Starting tomorrow, May 1, Isaac Mizrahi’s new line of bridal wear will be available for purchase at Target.com. There’ll be $160 wedding gowns, bridesmaids’ dresses, even ties and cummerbunds. Now you, too, can wear satin to your shotgun weddings.

Art Under the Influence

It can be difficult to find one’s way in Northeast Minneapolis’ labyrinthine Northrup King Building, an old seed-warehouse-made-creative-center housing more than 130 artists’ studios. But on a recent Saturday night, painter Patrick Pryor was hosting an event and had kindly started a trail of flower petals out by the front entrance that led to his … Read more

To Stumble or Strut?

The towering, and fairly dangerous, espadrille platform shoe is being passed off as the season’s must-have accessory. This is partially because it so nicely complements another, presently gangbusters, fad—the skinny jean. Platforms function much like high heels, elongating the leg and making it appear slimmer than it actually is (thus buttressing a woman’s confidence as … Read more

Chic Street

It seemed like a bold move at the time, but when Ini Iyamba opened a second store—his Ivy Men’s + Design boutique at 1220 Glenwood Avenue—just this March, design devotees started buzzing about the potential of his new address. This street, which fans out from International Market Square’s nest of interior design businesses while brushing … Read more

The Savage Joy of Breaking Things

“David Lynch meets Mother Goose”: That’s the vision Hardcover Theater’s writer/director Steve Schroer has for his new play, inspired by an obscure Victorian fantasy called The New Mother. This source material was written for children—it’s a fable that warns, with rich imagery and plenty of fright, against being naughty. And yet Schroer insists his play … Read more

The Red Nose

The red nose, that mark of chronic inebriates everywhere, was long ago appropriated by theater performers in Europe seeking a visible symbol of their humility. And believe it or not, the town drunk went on to serve as the muse of a million clowns (those working outside the parade and birthday-party circuits, anyway). In order … Read more