The Rake Magazine

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.

The Minnesota History Center certainly hit upon a fetish last night. The place was so crowded at the first-ever RetroRama that a girl couldn't even get a pink martini. Note to self: Next time, heed that time-honored tradition of packing a flask in your stockings.

Even though I couldn't get a drink and didn't come close to the retro hors d'oeuvres, I did get an eyeful of fabulous vintage wear. The partygoers were decked out in all manner of dandy suits and New Look-inspired dresses. I ran into such throwbacks as Lit Sixer Stephanie Wilbur Ash and Southern gentleman-about-town Andy Sturdevant. (Pardon the horrible lighting here. This is but a low-tech blog and I am but an idiot with an Elph.)

People-watching aside, the evening existed in four or so parts:

Part One: Shop. Succotash and Up Six were on hand to sell lots of nifty stuff. But, because I had to rush off to the fashion show, I wasn't able to snag these gorgeous silver ankle boots.

Part Two: Fashion Show. (I just said that ...) Various local designers took inspiration from the History Center's archives, and came up with ...

A tie skirt, and it was cool as heck ...

A bad-boy suit with some bad-ass details ... (The model wasn't bad either.)

Slinky satin lingerie ...

A sexy, showgirl-style headdress ...

And last, but certainly not least, this gorgeous, New Look-shaped dress made from upholstery fabrics and stitched together with gold and black thread. The dress, designed by Allyson J. Thornton, was inspired by a dress worn by Miss Minnesota 1948. Here we have Miss Minnesota 2007 modeling what was everyone's favorite piece of the evening.

And here we have a detail shot of the fabric. Mmm, Mmm.

Part Three: Arts and Crafts. The History Center crafts council kindly provided us with plenty of leather scraps and duct tape. I made this deco-esque clutch, whereas my friend Adam made the artsy tie below. Sadly, both items are headed straight for the trash bin. (Note: Adam's tie, cool though it may be, had to be taped onto his shirt.)

Part Four: The New Standards. None for me, thanks ...

The Minnesota History Center's RetroRama event is tomorrow (Thursday) night.

Note: The promotional photo at left was stolen from the History Center's site. But I feel entitled to it, since it features a moonlighting model/Rake staff member.

In any case, about that event: Five local designers, including milliner/ Voltage producer Anna Lee, went digging through the History Center's enormous textile archives, trolling for inspiration. Tomorrow's runway show features the fivesome's vintage-styled dresses, menswear, and accessories. Also on display (i.e., worn by mannequins with twenty-four-inch waists) will be various pieces from the History Center archives (too fragile to let teetering models touch). Vintage entities unto themselves, The New Standards are providing the musical backdrop. (They're not my favorite band, but I hear Al Franken likes 'em.) And stand-up retro retailers such as Succotash and Up Six will be selling their wares. Martinis and mid-century appetizers (pigs in blankets, anyone? or perhaps a pickle roll-up?) will be handily available, too.

If you can't make it, don't despair. I'll be there, with Elph in hand. Check back on Friday for the report.

Last weekend, I stopped by a certain tax accountant's office/art gallery to soak up the scenes. Among them:

The Gap has really foisted this hoodie-and-tie trend upon us, which I don't entirely dislike. It's sort of like an updated version of the tie-with-tweed look, since it, too, is worn mostly by brooding wimpster types. (Don't get me wrong ... I find it all very sexy.) This fella took the look to an extreme with his print hoodie, whereas other guys at this party chose tattered hoodies in boring, old solid blacks and grays.

I was reminded of how much I appreciate the metrosexual movement, at least when it comes to inspiring the use of styling products. Thank goodness for men with pretty hair.

I liked the contrast here. Jahna, a professional stylist, paired the sophistication of a high-waisted skirt with a simple yellow (it looks like vintage) top, whereas her friend rocked a bad-ass rocker babe motorcycle jacket. Nice!

The camera loves this woman! And my friend Kevin once had a stranger crush on her, too.

From the department of better late than never: The Rake's fabulous online editor, Cristina Cordova, was at Voltage this year, too, where she gathered the following video outtakes.

This first one includes great footage of the night's opening act, Dance Band, along with runway accompaniment by Annie Larson (you know, those jumpers I mentioned in the previous post) as well as the relatively unfinished looks of Labrador. To throw 'em a bone, I'll admit that I'm coveting Labrador's strappy green, orange, and white dress (the second to last women's outfit seen here). But, uh, does that come in a D-cup, please? Also included in this video: Killer panty shot!

This next video features infectious pop by a band called the Mood Swings. I particularly like 'em cuz the lead chanteuse, Sallie Watson, comes straight from one of my fave '90s local bands, Lily Liver. (She's also a buyer at Macy's, according to the program notes.) And as far as the fashion show goes: The moon hung low on its black chord ... when pieces by Peloria, a designer exploring the "connection of architectural fibers," attached some heavy-metal hardware to her dresses and sent their asses draggin' on down the runway. Nextup was Kjurek Couture: billowy and/or gushing florals. Friends, these are the dresses your boyfriend wishes you would wear.

Last but not least: Now that I've given George Moskal's line a second look, I finally see the nod to Little Edie Beale. Pay special attention, folks, to Moskal's first and second outfits. They're fabulous! Second up was Ra'Mon Lawrence, who wowed the audience with his reversible and even transformable clothes. Presto! A cropped jacket became a long dress; a sash became a floor-length skirt. Note the trio of babes who open Lawrence's presentation. The one in the middle inspired someone in the audience to shout: "Good hair, girl!"

And that's all she (C.D., who contributed this commentary) wrote.