“I am happy to leave the helm in the very capable and proven hands of Ms. Overman whose tenure with the organization and strategic direction with the Communications Committee is the foundation of the work we do,” stated Emily Blanche. “She and I have worked closely over the last year and I know she’s just what the organization needs to take MNfashion to its next level.”

Emily will continue her involvement with the organization with a limited time appointment as the Chair of the Board of Directors. She will also continue to define the strategy for The Shows. “The Shows have become a harbinger of what’s to come for Twin Cities fashion under Emily’s direction,” Amy said. “We’re very happy that she will continue to share her vision with the organization. I will work hard to provide continuity to the level of style and quality that the community has grown to expect under her leadership.”

The volunteers at MNfashion are continuing to work on our upcoming programs such as Minneapolis-St. Paul Fashion Week and a Twin Cities area-wide shopping event (details to be announced soon, so stay tuned).

That’s why top local designers are dressing local celebrity models head-to-toe in original red dresses for the Red Dress Collection, presented by MNfashion for Minneapolis-St. Paul Fashion Week on Feb. 19, 2012. The Red Dress Event has been a highlight of New York Fashion Week and is now coming to Minneapolis. It will be held from 6 – 9 p.m. at SEVEN ULTRALOUNGE. Local designers will be paired with celebrity models for a runway show featuring all-red creations in support of women’s heart health.

For a list of designers, tickets and more information, visit www.reddressmn.com.

“We’ve worked hard to create a well-edited mix of events that represent fashion and style in the Twin Cities,” says Fashion Week Director Nicole Dixon. “All of these events are a can’t-miss and, fortunately, with our new scheduling process you won’t have to.”

All events fall under one of three categories: The Shows, satellite runway shows and retail events. The Shows, which were voted best local designer showcase by Minnesota Monthly, are making a triumphant return on Wednesday, Feb. 21 with Emma Berg, Kimberly Jurek and Amanda Christine. These designers represent the best of best in local fashion and will share their Autumn/Winter 2012 collections. Produced by MNfashion, The Shows have raised the bar for local runway shows and will continue that tradition this season.

To see a complete event listing, visit the calendar.

Your application will be reviewed by a panel of MNfashion directors and industry experts. If accepted, MNfashion will work with you to find the appropriate slot for your event. Our goal is to work closely with Event Holders to ensure they have the best-planned and most efficiently marketed event possible.

This season we are introducing something new that will help MSPFW attendees quickly find and the events they are looking for. Each event will fall into one of three categories and the review panel will determine which category is best suited to your event:

• The Shows: Runway shows presented by MNfashion that feature established designers and their latest collections.
• Retail Events: Fun shopping events, trunk shows and more that highlight the shops and retailers that keep our community unique and stylish.
• Satellite Runway Shows: Runway shows that shine a spotlight on up-and-coming designers.

Send any questions to Amy.Arguedas@mnfashion.org, and happy planning!

“By aligning ourselves with the cadence of the rest of the fashion industry, we are able to give our local designers more opportunity to sell their collections to local shops and boutiques across the country, “says Emily Blanche, executive director of MNfashion. “We have a deep well of talent in the Twin Cities and this new schedule will allow buyers and the media to more conveniently engage with local designers and the great work they produce year after year.”

In addition to a new name and timing, MNfashion is adding layers to their event review process to allow for a better-edited schedule of events. All events submitted will be reviewed by a panel of industry experts and MNfashion directors. This process will also allow the organization to provide a more in-depth involvement in event scheduling, promotion and production. MNfashion will also take ownership of the fashion week schedule to avoid double-booking of events.

“We are going to use this new review process as an opportunity to better know our events and designers,” says fashion week Director, Nicole Dixon. “We will work with event holders to find the best time slot for their event, most efficient means of promotion and provide the production assistance that helped make ‘The Shows’ such a success in years past.”

Each designer will showcase their version of fashion’s holy grail in a runway segment at 8:30 p.m. The designers featured tonight are Max Lohrbach, Maritza Ramirez, Danielle Everine, Ivan Idland, Raul Osorio, Sarah Holm, Amanda Christine, George Moskal, Laura Fulk, Jenny Carle, Emma Berg, Jenn Bratvold and Nicole Larson. Come see how each designer’s take on the classic LBD and, in addition,  each will show a look from a past collection (the alternative to the little black dress, the ALBD, if you will).

The event is free and open to the public (but must be 21 +). Validated parking is provided in the Lawson ramp and detailed directions are available here. We look forward to seeing you there!

Sip. See. Connect.

Join us Thursday, Sept. 29, to help us kick-off MNfashion Week, running Oct. 2-9.

Network with the fashion and arts community, hear from fashion week designers and entrepreneurs and help build a sustainable Twin Cities fashion industry.

Drink specials include: half-priced well drinks and tap beer and select glasses of wine for $4.

A $5 donation gets you an MNfashion Week button that will hook you up with extended happy hour at our official home of MNfashion Week, Bar Lurcat, all week long!

(Button wearers extend their happy hour Monday, Oct. 3-Saturday Oct. 8, from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.)

To purchase tickets, click here.

For more information, click here.

To register to host an event, click here.

For questions regarding registration, email Amy Arguedas.