Fashion: Homegrown chic

Last week, Macy's hosted its second annual Distinction in Design competition. Local designers lined up in the Oval Room to present their creations -- from bridal gowns to underwear -- to Macy's buyers. Maybe someday these made-in-Minnesota labels will be sold there. For now, here's a look at their in-store cameos.

PATHER YANG, FIRST PRIZE OF $1,000

MINNEAPOLIS

Presented: Petite dresses, including the one she's wearing, above.

Designer since: 2006. Exactly a year.

Day job: Stitcher at Vee Corp., making costumes for "Sesame Street Live" characters.

Design philosophy: "Making clothes that are easy to wear and stylish. I design for petites because I had such a hard time finding clothes. Everything I've made so far fits me."

Shop: Cliché (2403 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls.).

RUSSELL BOURRIENNE, RUNNER-UP

MINNEAPOLIS

Presented: Men's jackets and coats, including this plaid trench coat ($695, custom order). He also made the shirt and pants that he's wearing.

Inspiration for the plaid coat: "A motorcycle jacket and traditional English plaids."

Designer since: He was 13.

How he learned to sew: "From books, books and books."

Shop: By appointment at his Uptown studio, see www.russellbourrienne.com for details.

PARUL K. LEWICKE

FOREST LAKE

Presented: Infant and toddler clothes.

Design philosophy: "Using natural fibers, I made pieces that were reversible and in colors that are less typical and more fashion-forward for children's clothes."

Previous career: "I was a software engineer. I quit my job and started school for design earlier this year."

Why kids' clothes: "Even though I don't have children yet, when I look in typical stores for baby clothes, I don't see things I like."

Who wears them: "I've made my nephews some T-shirts, but I'm in prototype stage."

ROLANDA TAYLOR ENROTH

PLYMOUTH

Label: 3 Geminis

Presented: Jewelry, including this necklace made from rubies, citrine, peridot and gold vermeil ($275).

Why 3 Geminis: "My three children [Aaron, Amber and Alison] are all Geminis."

Her inspiration: "My youngest daughter, Alison, is a senior at Columbia College in Chicago. When we go shopping, I will oftentimes buy apparel for her and make jewelry to go with it."

Day job: Producer and anchor for a weekly newscast for the city of Bloomington.

Shop: East Side Arts Council and Gallery (977 Payne Av., St. Paul).

LESLIE ECKLUND

MINNEAPOLIS

Label: Che Nena! Bags (That's Spanish slang for "Hey Girl!")

Presented: Her handbags and other accessories, including these bags, ranging from a small tote ($45) to a messenger bag ($125).

Inspiration: "The fabrics are covered by clear vinyl so they're stain-resistant, waterproof and protected. It looks like the fabric is behind glass."

How she learned to sew: "I grew up in Argentina and you had to take sewing."

Day job: Chiropractor. "Then I stay up until 3 a.m. sewing."

Shop: Online at www.chenenabags.com.

JANINE PETERSON

STILLWATER

Presented: Mother-of-the bride ensembles, including the dress modeled by her mother, Joan Rivard. The top layer of the skirt zips off.

Learned to sew: From her mom, and also school (University of Wisconsin-Stout and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York).

Inspiration: "I worked at Rush's Bridal and I love dresses. The missing link was the mother-of-the-bride dresses. So many moms can't find anything to wear."

Shop: Custom only, jackets and skirts start at $200 and dresses start at $300; see her website, janine.e.peterson.google pages.com/janinepeterson.

KEVIN KRAMP

MINNEAPOLIS

Presented: His line of men's knitwear, including the layers modeled by Drew Plinke, left.

Inspiration: "A trip to Istanbul, where I took photographs of interesting men on the street, and Italian knitwear techniques."

Education: He's a student at Central St. Martin's College of Art and Design in London, but the Minnesota native will be in the state for the next year. He also has a bachelor's degree in visual arts and Italian studies from Rhode Island's Brown University.

Why Minneapolis: "The myth of the fashion city is over for me. I can define the city that I'm in. That's why I'm here."

CHRISTOPHER STRAUB

SHAKOPEE

Labels: Cricket (clothes) and Cricket Syndicate (underwear).

Presented: Men's wear, women's wear and one-of-a-kind box-cut briefs made from recycled T-shirts.

Why Cricket: "Cricket is my nickname from when I was younger and I really like bugs."

Why underwear: "A couple years ago, I went looking for Underoos, but they don't make them for adults. I wanted my own Spiderman underwear. So I got a T-shirt, cut it up and made it into underwear. My friends wanted them. I started selling them in bars from a messenger bag and then stores."

Shop: I Like You (4222 Nicollet Ave. S., Mpls.) and Design Collective (1311 W. 26th St., Mpls.) and www.cricketsyndicate.

com.

PAMELA GENNOW

ST. LOUIS PARK

Presented: Dresses and pants, including this brown wool pinstripe dress that she plans to wear to her cousin's upcoming wedding.

Designing since: 2006. She's a student at Minneapolis Community Technical College and has worked with designers in London.

Her aesthetic: "Tailored clothing. I find them challenging. I want the fit to be perfect, which is hard to do with women with various body types."

EMILY L. SIEMS ROBERSON

MINNEAPOLIS

Label: Switch

Presented: A collection that was her graduate project.

Education: University of Wisconsin-Stout and an internship in London with the label Bi La Li.

The inspiration: "Ancient armor. It's protective and the intricateness of how it crosses the body is really beautiful. The collection has 10 pieces; the client can use three or four pieces to assemble into a complete garment."

Sara Glassman is a Minneapolis-based freelance fashion writer. Read her fashion blog at startribune.com/stylepoints.