VOLTAGE: FASHION AMPLIFIED 2011
Yet again, this year’s runway rock show will be held at the iconic First Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. An MNfashion production now in its seventh installment, the Voltage show is the marquee event of Spring MNfashion Week each year and serves as the public debut of each designer’s spring 2011 line. A fresh twist on traditional runway, models walk to the sounds of the crème de la crème of local bands—who serve as models themselves. More than simply a runway rock show, Voltage: Fashion Amplified also serves as a design incubator by helping designers make a business of their art. Hands-on Design Workshops, meetings with the Voltage Design Panel and appointments with wholesale fabric reps help designers develop, source and create their spring lines. Each year brings evolution to MNfashion Week and debuting this year are The Shows— classic, design-focused runway shows featuring Voltage veteran designers. Additionally, these designers as well as current Voltage designers premiered their collections at the second annual January 20th invite-only press and buyer event.
Band Designers
Phantom Tails
outfitted by: b.(a resale shop)
Fort Wilson Riot
outfitted by: Carly Schoen
Me and My Arrow
outfitted by: Renalie Bailey
Communist Daughter
outfitted by: Blacklist Vintage
Pink Mink
outfitted by: Invisible Outfit
Runway Designers
Tim & Thom
Accessories designers: Katy Schmaty and East Fourth Street
Frances Zerr
Accessories designer: Jennifer Merchant
Danielle Everine
Accessories designers: Freedom From Doubt and Jagress Intimates
Raul Osorio
Accessories designer: Needle & Black
Rachel Blomgren
Accessories designer: Lela Horst Baumann
Sarah Holm
Accessories designers: Bridget Clark and Artist Built
Ivan Idland
Accessories designer: Lefthand Originals
Kathryn V
Accessories designers: ACKJ Handbags and Sweet T by TimmiLynn Johnson
Max Lohrbach
Accessories designer: Bionic Unicorn
Terri Martin
Accessories designer: Potpourri Jewelry
VOLTAGE: FASHION AMPLIFIED
Voltage: Fashion Amplified is MNfashion's premier event, held annually during Spring MNfashion Week. It seamlessly combines rock and runway into an intimate mix of sound and style. Through its annual events, Voltage seeks to foster collaboration, engender community and unite music and fashion while providing a national forum for local talent. MNfashion is a locally-bred organization dedicated to providing resources and professional development to the local fashion community that will enhance and support a thriving, sustainable local fashion industry.
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PINK MINK
Pink Mink was what happened when everyone was making other plans. Christy Hunt had returned from 2 years of touring as the guitarist for the Von Bondies and posted a defeatist post about quitting music and going back to school. Longtime friend Arzu Gokcen saw this post and threatened to lock her in a closet with her guitar until she changed her mind. The two, at similar crossroads in their musical paths, decided to give playing together a shot. And it worked beautifully.
COMMUNIST DAUGHTER
4 years ago, John Solomon walked away from music. After struggling with addiction and a brief stint in jail, he broke up his critically acclaimed band Friends Like These and moved to a small town in Wisconsin. And supposedly, that was that. But even though Solomon left music, music never left him.
ME AND MY ARROW
"There's been a lot of talk about the size of local band Me & My Arrow, but it's warranted, since there are only a small handful of Minneapolis stages that can accommodate them comfortably. They've recently trimmed down from nine members to a relatively lean seven, but in order to pull off the anthemic, heavily layered sound that's become the band's stock-in-trade, the largeness is a necessity rather than overkill.
FORT WILSON RIOT
As they tumble out of the back of a maroon minivan into clubs, bars, living rooms and festivals across America, Fort Wilson Riot are liable to become a favorite local band, no matter where you live. Splitting their time between unstoppable touring and incessant recording, the Minneapolis-based duo of Amy Hager and Jacob Mullis have no shortness of ambition.
PHANTOM TAILS
Phantom Tails formed in early 2009. In fact, the band never really formed so much as it emerged as part of a natural progression. All four members had been playing together for some time in other bands before indulging to embark on a more electronic, gritty, and concise musical path.
