Punk Fulk

Fashion designer Laura Fulk finds outlets for her punk-inspired sensibility in theater, live music and local boutiques.

By SARA GLASSMAN, Special to the Star Tribune

Last update: January 30, 2008 - 6:12 PM

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LAURA FULK

See: "God Save Gertrude" at the Playwrights' Center, 2301 E. Franklin Av., Mpls., 612-332-7481, ext. 20, www.workhaus collective.org, through Feb. 10.

Shop: Cliché, 2403 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls., 612-870-0420.

Browse: www.laurafulk.com.

Up next: Voltage 2008 on April 16; preview event next Thursday. See www.voltagefashion amplified.com for details.

Laura Fulk just might be the busiest sewer in the Twin Cities. In the past month, the 25-year-old fashion designer has created outfits for the band Bela Koshka and costumes for the Workhaus Collective play "God Save Gertrude," as well as sending a collection down the runway of Cliché's winter fashion show.

Q Why did you decide to work on "God Save Gertrude"?

A The story sounded so cool. It's loosely based on "Hamlet." The main character has a mental breakdown, ends up tearing herself up into what she once was -- this 1970s punk rocker. With each song, she strips apart parts of the costume. She starts off as this Martha Stewart-like character in a tannish-cream silk asymmetrical jacket and dress. The first thing to go are her sleeves. I Velcroed them together. The dress underneath is red. There's a lot of red, and it holds so much meaning. The country she's running is going through a war -- so there are red patches on an army jacket, the president wears a red tie, and there's also blood.

It ties all of the characters together. The character comes out even in her hair -- in the beginning it's an up-do and she rips it out, revealing red streaks, exposing that punk rock kind of soul.

Q Why so many safety pins?

AThere was a line in the script where one of the characters accuses Gertrude of trading safety pins for Chanel pins when she went all "Nancy Reagan."

Q Do fashion and music go together?

A Absolutely, yes. I would almost go as far as to say that one could not survive without the other. I find in my profession, I can relate to musicians far better sometimes even than to other designers. Through doing all the runway shows I've done, I've been backstage at more local venues than most bands I know.

Q What is your day job?

A I've been working for this lady who does custom tailoring for big and tall men, like Kevin Garnett and Jimmy Jam.

Q What are you working on for the upcoming Voltage fashion show?

A I focused on the Midwestern prairie pioneer woman -- the wild Midwest. I found this old medallion of a pioneer woman with a rifle on one shoulder and a baby. I'm using furs and leathers and laces. It's going to be pretty crazy. I'm going to be the finale this year. The color scheme is mundane and earthy, kind of plain with a few pops of metallic leathers. There will be lots of layers, so if people want to buy a piece of it, there will be a lot of options. I'm making these crazy bonnets with feather headdresses. I'm trying to keep it Midwest. We go through a lot in the winter. That alone is pretty bad-ass.

Q Do you ever say no?

A I'm learning how. I am a fiend for challenges, and every new project brings me a wealth of knowledge.

Sara Glassman is a Minneapolis fashion writer. Check out her blog at www.startribune.com/stylepoints.