Kristinia DeBarge

Spotted at: Glamorama

Before she goes on tour with Britney Spears next week, this rising singing star showed her fashion-forward style off to a Minneapolis crowd. On stage, DeBarge wore a Madonna corset from Patricia Field's showroom, Bebe leggings and Chloe shoes. To the post-party she wore a Bebe dress and leather jacket and Steve Madden shoes. "It's my first tour. I'm excited! I'm hoping to meet with [Spears] soon," she said. As for her first Glamorama experience: "Fabulous. I got to meet Ne-Yo."

Style education The Mall of America is making sure back to school is also about back to style.

They're launching a new blog today for shoppers of all ages -- www. moafashionsense.com. The site will get the scoop on trends from the more than 520 stores at the MOA. To start things off, they'll give away a $50 gift card to different retailers every day for the next month.

For back-to-school fun, check the site for the upcoming launch of the video: "Fashion Senseless: An Intervention." It follows the story of a fictional brother and sister (Nate and Hannah) who are completely clueless and unaware of their fashion victim status and are duped into a makeover by concerned loved ones.

Glamorama de-brief-ing Here's the final word on Glamorama 2009: According to Macy's, approximately 1,900 people attended the Ne-Yo show and 1,700 were at the post-party. The early estimate on fundraising dollars for the Children's Cancer Research Fund is about $225,000.

Star Tribune, Star Tribune
Nate and Hannah (center) get a back to school makeover from their friends in “Fashion Sensless: An Intervention.”

The true star of the show -- men's underwear by Papi -- is available for $12 to $28. Though the store won't reveal specific sales figures, we suspect they're hot right now. Also, after Miss Piggy's appearance in Minneapolis, Women's Wear Daily reported that she was spotted at Marc Jacobs this week, getting fitted for a red-carpet dress for the Chicago Glamorama on Friday.

Project Runway, St. Paul style St. Paul scored big time on the "Project Runway" local premiere festivities. You can watch the season premiere tonight at Landmark Plaza (7:30 to 10 p.m., 75 W. 5th St., St. Paul) with the two local contestants: Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman, formerly of Minneapolis, and Christopher Straub of Shakopee. Then head over to the post-party at the St. Paul Hotel (10 p.m. to midnight, 350 Market St., St. Paul, 651-292-9292) and the after-after party at Camp Bar (midnight to 2 a.m., 490 N. Robert St., St. Paul, 651-292-1844). All of the festivities (including the drama) are free. Your outfit? Make it work.

Sales and events Prepare yourself for a fashion-forward evening: All of these events are Thursday night.

Swing by the Fun Sisters Boutique (6 to 8 p.m., 4253 Nicollet Av. S., Mpls., 612-822-9872, www.thefunsisters.com) for a special night of shopping and fundraising. You'll enjoy exclusive access to the store and wine and food from the View Restaurant. Tickets are $20 (www.minnesotalifecollege.org) and proceeds benefit Minnesota Life College, which helps young adults with learning disabilities and autism adapt to life in the community.

Local author Barbara Greenberg will be signing copies of "After the Ball" at Shorty's Loft (5 to 8 p.m., 4590 Excelsior Blvd., St. Louis Park, 952-473-0404, shortysloft.net). Enjoy wine and cheese and 20 percent off everything in the store, except Pandora Jewelry.

Then you can check out the Karen Gilbert trunk show (see jewelry at right) at Gallery 360 (7 to 10 p.m., 3011 W 50th St., Mpls., 612-925-2400, www.gallery 360mpls.com).

Jungle Red Salon (6 to 8:30 p.m., 1362 LaSalle Av., Mpls., 612-870-0653) is holding a clothing swap. Bring fashionable, clean, stain- and tear-free clothing (by 6:30 p.m.) to swap with other attendees. During the event, enjoy chair massages, basic nail/toe polish services and eyebrow/lip waxing for $10 each.

At the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (2400 3rd Av. S., Mpls., 612-870-3131, www.artsmia.org), check out "Unspoken Messages: The Art of the Necklace," an exhibit showcasing personal adornment. From 6 to 9 p.m., try on necklaces at a trunk show with local artists Sheila Moar of Fashion Fusion and Helen Wang.

Sara Glassman • 612-673-7177