Designer party After five years of designing Kjurek Couture, Kimberly Jurek is arguably the most popular local designer and one of the most ambitious: Her clothing can be found in more than 20 boutiques from Tokyo to Los Angeles.
She'll be celebrating the anniversary with a show of her fall collection, which will include the launch of a leather and suede handbag line she created in collaboration with Amanda Christine, another local designer.
Per Jurek's usual style, the line will combine diverse inspirations. "It's based on gauchos [Argentinean cowboys], bombas [huge ruffled skirts] and peasant and Victorian influences as seen in the apron pocketed belts and peasant-style tops," she said. You'll also see traditional braided faja belts throughout. When the collection hits stores, the clothing will retail for $80 to $170 and the handbags will be $100 to $350.
8 p.m. Saturday, Arctic Studios, 2538 Hennepin Av. S., tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Available at Cliché (612-870-0420), Drama (612-338-9423), Gallery 360 (612-925-2400), Karma (651-291-1997), Parc Boutique (612-353-4966), Fresh Face Loftique (651-285-0998), www.kjurekcouture.net.
So you think you can dress Betsy Henderson believes in fashion that dances with you.
The local designer behind the label Soft Chocolates studied at the University of Minnesota and was the vice president of technical design at Christopher and Banks. But when she picked up the Argentine tango seven years ago, she found a new way to channel her talents.
Her line of clothing, which she refers to as "tasteful clothes that are also danceable," will be part of the Heartland Tango show this weekend.
Henderson said that Soft Chocolates is "for the moderate age market that wants to be covered, but with a bit of sexiness and elegance."
