The daily digest of Twin Cities culture | Secrets of the City

Sick of winter much? Can you bear another cold day of having to bulk up? Me either! That's why I'm checking out for Mexico, yo. Feast your eyes on this: the adorable, but nonetheless scanty, romper I procured for the occasion (as modeled by the much thinner-than-me office floor).

Not all fashion designers consider themselves artists, but there is certainly a fine art to developing an exciting and cohesive line of clothing, a one-of-a-kind gown, or, for that matter, a sock-monkey bikini. Just five years ago, when home-grown clothing was paraded on First Avenue’s stage at the first Voltage fashion show, resources in the Twin Cities—for designers and their customers—were just beginning to emerge. Five years later, the response and outpouring of support speaks volumes about the growth, both current and future, for local fashion.