Psst: Jewelry designer's line gets fashion expose

Updated: March 12, 2010 - 6:17 PM

Jewelry designer Grace Crawford

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Jewelry designer Grace Crawford of Fridley is living proof that horrific experiences can't stunt a passion for beauty and creativity. As a young woman fleeing her native Liberia in 1990 during the country's first civil war, she braided money into her hair to hide it from the rebel soldiers. They found it anyway and robbed her. She eventually found a new home among the Twin Cities' Liberian community, and Saturday she and eight other designers will stage a fashion show featuring Shakopee's own Christopher Straub of "Project Runway" fame.

Crawford, who is trained in early childhood development, launched her Embrace-U line a year ago. Her African roots inform bold necklaces and earrings made of pearls, semiprecious stones, turquoise, glass beads, wood, bone, even nuts and seeds, priced from $35 to $145. Other featured designers in the show, put on by Minnesota International Fashion Exposé, include Rachel deLange and Joy Cooper. The event at AmericInn Mermaid Entertainment and Event Center (Coral Bay Ballroom), 2200 Hwy. 10, Mounds View, begins at 6 p.m. with a trunk show followed by an 8 p.m. runway show and 10:30 p.m. after-party. For tickets ($8-$50) and more information: www.mnintlfashionexpose.com.

KRISTIN TILLOTSON