The next great American designer could be from Minneapolis. The ninth season of "Project Runway," which starts Thursday (8 p.m., Lifetime), features Danielle Everine of Minneapolis.

The 26-year-old grew up in Golden Valley, graduated from Cooper High School and has a fine arts degree from the University of Minnesota. A fixture in the local fashion show scene, Everine left her position as a lingerie designer at Target to compete on the show.

Q: Why did you become a designer?

A: I'm just so picky, I could never find clothes and hated shopping. Nothing was ever how I wanted it to be, so I started making things on my own.

Q: How did you land a spot on the show?

A: Recruiters from "Project Runway" contacted me. It wasn't on my radar and all of a sudden, I got an e-mail that they liked my work.

Lifetime, Star Tribune
Minneapolis designer Danielle Everine will be a contestant on the ninth season of "Project Runway."

Q: Do you think being from Minnesota helped you?

A: I've been able to work with so many creative people: hairstylists, makeup artists and photographers -- I've had access to the best that we have. That is definitely an advantage some of the other designers didn't have.

Q: How do you think you'll be portrayed on the show?

A: I hope I come across as a solid person who is caring, but also a good designer.

Q: What will we learn about you from watching the show?

A: You'll learn how I react under no sleep and tons of pressure. You usually see the finished garment, so my working process will be revealed.

Q: You've made it onto national TV. What's next?

A: I would love to be a famous designer, part of a well-rounded design power couple [with fiancé David Heisserer].

Q: A power couple?

A: We're a great partnership. [David is] so technically adept and I have this really refined aesthetic. Actually, we put our wedding plans on hold for "Project Runway." We were planning on October, but now it will probably be next year.

Q: Will you design your own wedding dress?

A: Oh, yes.

What fashion insiders think of Danielle Everine's chances:

  • Katherine Gerdes, pastry sous chef at Hell's Kitchen and season three "Project Runway" contestant: "I think [Danielle] will be known for her style, both personal and design. She has a good mix of retro and modern. I also like how she designs with bike riding in mind. Very 'Minneapolis.'"
  • Christopher Straub, Twin Cities fashion designer and season six "Project Runway" contestant: "She admitted, on the Lifetime website, that she wouldn't look forward to challenges where she'd have to create a red carpet-style dress. The reality is that there are a lot of challenges that are going to ask you to make event dresses. I hope she can adapt her style enough to get her through those weeks."
  • Anna Lee, producer of Voltage: Fashion Amplified: "Danielle is focused, soft-spoken, yet passionate. You never know how the producers will present a designer, but her work is creative and technically solid so I think she will do well."
  • Delayna Sundberg, owner of Cliché boutique: " I think she will win! She is very sweet and doesn't get rattled too easily."
  • Laura Kluvo, Blogging Project Runway: "Danielle looks like a contender. She has great construction skills and design talent, but will she bring enough drama and novelty to make it to the end? We'll watch what happens."

Countdown to Glamorama

Macy's annual extravaganza will include a major fashion moment: Karl Lagerfeld's first low-priced collaboration will have its runway debut in Minneapolis. The collection will showcase elements of Lagerfeld's signature aesthetic, but will be priced from $50 to $170 per item. You'll be able to look, but not buy, until Aug. 31, when the collection will be available at Macy's Southdale, Rosedale, Minneapolis and Ridgedale.

Macy's Glamorama

Along with music by Bruno Mars and Far East Movement, the event will showcase fall lines from Marc Jacobs, Jean Paul Gaultier and Sonia Rykiel. Attendees are encouraged to dress for the event's Artrageous theme. Proceeds benefit Children's Cancer Research Fund.

  • When: 8 p.m. Aug. 5.
  • Where: Orpheum Theater, 910 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls.
  • Tickets: $60-$1,000, www.macys.com/glamorama.

Pick of the week

SUPERDRY

If you're a fan of all things British, you'll want to check out the latest import, Superdry USA. The affordable casual clothing and accessories firm will open its eighth U.S. location at the Mall of America on Friday. Look for Japanese-inspired graphics and vintage Americana influences in everything from plaid shirts to biker boots. On Friday, the first 50 customers will receive a voucher worth $25 in Superdry goods.

Sales + events

THURSDAY

Back-to-school event at Pumpz: Design your own Duluth Pack with a variety of fabrics and styles.

Health and Wellness Ladies Night Out at 50th and France: The first 50 guests will receive a free umbrella. Stores will be collecting clothing, shoes, jewelry, small toys for the Lupus Foundation of MN.

Wixon Jewelers' Summer Soiree: See limited-edition pieces featuring rare color gemstones, brought in for the event.

  • Through Fri., 9955 Lyndale Av. S, Bloomington, 952-881-8862.

FRIDAY

Rewind Vintage's biannual sale: Everything in both stores will be 25 percent off.

  • Through Sat., 2829 NE. Johnson St., Mpls., 612-788-987 and 4806 Chicago Av. S., Mpls., 612-824-1350, rewindminneapolis.com.