Sugar Says

I love Fashion and Minneapolis, but not always together.

via citypages.com

As a lifetime resident of MPLS and the Midwest in general, I am always peeved when fashion stars from NYC or otherwise mention their disdain for this local or worse their insistence that we know nothing of Fashion.

I have been reading Vogue since I was 10 years old. I have known about Alexander McQueen from the moment he stepped on to the stage. I am not alone, MPLS is filled with inspired fashion stars. A strong design community and lovers of all things fashion-ey.

Hence, the multitude of Fashion Shows and Fashion Design Events springing up in the last few years. The Envision show is just one of many, that include designs from local designers. stylists, etc.

Now as much as I LOVE that we are beginning to develop this strong Fashion community....I have to say, "SRSLY?" When it comes to some of the "designs" walking down the runway. Not to mention the sad state of the "Looks" given most of the models. It seemed to be mostly an instance of electro-shock hair meets clown make-up or worse still...no "look" at all as is evident in this particular photo.

I am excited for the progress, but so disappointed by the end results. I fear that the 100's of comments stating how fashion ignorant my hometown must be due to its general location of Tundra/Prairie/North woods junction is still quite true.

Posted: Minneapolis Slideshows - Style shots: Envison fashion show at the Graves Hotel

Posted via web from Louise's posterous

Fashion wise...it appears to be 1990, again.

This is now via Fashionista:

This is then:

I have this tee, only in grey and Vneck it is super!

Visit this Glamorous Monkey and buy the tee shirts, right now. In fact, please buy me the Minnesota shirt. Thank you!!!

Santa brought me these for Christmas.

I have been a REALLY good girl. Of course, I can't actually wear them out and about since I live the tundra and the walkways are covered in glaciers.
Still, they are lovely and I will find a way to take them out.

More shots here.

I watched this and now so must you.

All I can say is he could use a dance belt.

Here at Discount Dance.

The Little Eddie look.

The LA Times has a great little list of the most iconic styles from film. This is a great list, with the exception of Reservoir Dogs. I simply do not agree with that being a style movie. (or I just hate Quentin Tarantino, which I do)

Grey Gardens is personal favorite for it's REAL style influence. This is not a designer, this is just a crazy mad lady and her lovely look. Just look at the colors in that photograph, the perfect pale blue, the lush brown and the super bright pop of yellow. PERFECT.

The last movie on the list is one that I can not believe, I have not seen. I just added it to my netflix, not available for instant watching...darn it.

In fact, a style movie marathon would be a great way to spend the day.

I wanted this, but didn't win it on Ebay.

I love chevron stripes, the colors are lovely and the cut is interesting. Love this dress.

I wanted this, but didn't win it on Ebay.

The Valentino dockumentary is going to be splendid.

I am very interested, extremely interested, hope this movie is playing here soon, very soon. Fashion porn is my favorite treat, it is like candy...better than candy.

My favorites things that NYC does well, Bras and Sake.

I had two goals for this trip to NYC.

My first goal was to splurge on a few new bras. Many women are well aware of the pain of an ill-fitting bra. In MPLS, there are plenty of cheap bras. I alone have purchased perhaps as many 50 bras in the last 15 years and most have never been quite right. I have always opted for the Victoria’s Secret or dept store variety of a Calvin Klien or DKNY and occasionally gone the super cheap route of a Target version. Some have been good; most have been average or entirely uncomfortable. Some have been very lovely; mostly those from VS and some have fit well enough, the CK or DNKY variety. Still, like really GOOD shoes, a good, well fitting, beautiful bra can do wonders.

I purchased three bras today at a store called Intimacy on 90th and Madison Ave. It is a small and busy boutique. They first take your name and then have you fill out a card asking various questions, such as what do you think your size is and do you have problems with the following, straps slipping, back riding up, etc.

After a short wait, a lovely lady took me into a room and told me their philosophy. The do not measure and then trust the customer to know a good bra or good fit. They take a look at you and then try the bras on you. They determine size and then ask about style. They bring back handfuls of bras and try each and every one of them on you. Eyeing what will fit your tastes and always picking a size/style that will work for you body. There were a couple that she brought in that once they were on, she determined not right for me. Most were wonderful. The bras are all well made and in the ranges of prices. The ones I tried, the lowest price was $75 and the highest was $290. I choose three lovely bras, all in very different styles. The most expensive was $190 and although I didn’t really want to spend that much, it was so lovely and fit wonderfully. I am sure that I wear it well and often.

They recommend that you only hand wash then once a week, with detergent that does not contain alcohol or anything harsh. Plus, with rotation that is not wearing them everyday in a row, but switching them out every day they will last 5 years.

Considering how much I have spent on bras that I end up hating, not a bad price in least. Plus, I now know what size and style is best for me and can purchase the same online at anytime.

The second thing that I wanted to do will have to be another post.