Recently by Christy DeSmith

Some of us were left drooling, earlier this week, when we spotted the teetering, space-age platforms/heels that were unveiled by Alexander McQueen at Paris Fashion Week. His bejeweled platform-clog amalgamations were the first thing I noticed while browsing a slideshow of images from McQueen’s runway show (see image #3). I imagined myself walking into Orchestra Hall this evening, waving hi to Judy Dayton as I strutted along in these bad boys—a bold statement meets a mighty workout, by anyone’s measure.

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If you’ve ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at a fashion magazine, here’s your chance to sneak a peek: A new documentary called The September Issue follows the most talented, influential staffers of Vogue magazine as they work on the September 2007 issue, their thickest to date. All the while, the camera catches glimpses of their scared, skinny 20-something underlings bobbing and weaving to get out of the way.

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As part of my preparations for the July Lifestyle feature on curly hair, I got to interview one of my heroes: Lorraine Massey, a legendary curly girl, hairstylist, entrepreneur, author, and even a socio-political agitator of sorts. I first learned of Massey circa 2002—that’s when one of my gal pals passed along her then-new book, Curly Girl. Part manifesto, part beauty manual, it was the first time I’d encountered someone who felt as isolated as I did about my unruly locks. It also marked the end of my daily shampoos, as well as a new era for curl self-acceptance.

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It’s worth noting that the Walker Art Center is screening a series of films by an important filmmaker, artist, and fashion photographer, William Klein. Unfortunately, I failed to note the screening of Klein’s seminal fashion flick, Qui Êtes-Vous, Polly Maggoo?—a 1966 film that’s currently on loop at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, along with its Model as Muse exhibition. Although Maggoo screened at the Walker last week, I finally got around to watching my screener last night.

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Just yesterday, when I stopped into the new I Like You store, in Northeast Minneapolis, I was reminded of the D.I.Y. sensation that is vintage buttons. I found heaps of hairpins, brooches, and earrings fashioned out of Bakelite, resin, and fabric-covered vintage buttons. Suddenly, these modest fasteners are all the rage!

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When some folks think of Rewind, the excellent vintage store on Johnson Street in Northeast Minneapolis, they think of young, hipster fashions: fluorescent '80s earrings, chunky plastic belts, minidresses, and whatnot. But that’s not necessarily the case. In my experience, the spread is equally thick with sophisticated clothes.

Just yesterday, I stopped by to explore the newly expanded Rewind—it recently doubled its size when it absorbed the vacant retail space next store (note: a recession success story). Among the treasures I found, a vintage silk Versace blouse and this awesome neutral trench from the bygone Minneapolis department store Schlampp’s. Nothing more than $30! 

 

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The intersection of art, history, and fashion—it’s one of my favorite things in the whole, wide world. With any luck, you’ll start to find me, on occasion, parsing the meanings and the histories behind the clothes we wear. For now, you can get a little taste by watching this video with the fabulous local costume designers who worked on Grey Gardens. We talked specifics: How does the central character Little Edie “shop her closet,” as the experts are now prone to saying? For that matter, why is she the perfect fashion icon for these uncertain times?  

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Just a quick note to point the fellas to a fleeting shopping opportunity . . . . But first, a tangent: Last year, after Neiman Marcus turned on the pressure, the folks at Gaviidae Commons opted not to renew the lease for Atmosfere, a particularly fashionable men’s store. So the proprietor simply moved his shop to nearby Uptown—but unfortunately, only about half of his clients (mostly businessmen) followed him there.

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Folks, I’m afraid some sad news just came across the transmit: Ensemble, the charming Linden Hills women’s boutique, will close shop on April 25. The closeout sale begins immediately—modified store hours, too:

M-F, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sa., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Su., 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

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It’s another one of those trends, folks. Hip, new parents (clad in vintage-style tees and with iPods running out of their ears) cling to the last vestiges of youth by swaddling their tots in onesies and T-shirts that bear cheeky slogans. Of course, it’s another one of those trends we enjoy—so we were delighted when, earlier this week, a conservation was sparked with a local master of the baby-with-bravado movement: Todd Turfler, printmaker and proprietor of St. Paul’s Rebel Ink Baby. Here are the outtakes:

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