It's Minnesota in Manhattan

Last update: September 9, 2008 - 9:15 PM

NEW YORK

Minnesotans took over Fashion Week for a brief moment, sort of.

On Monday evening, Minneapolis-raised Kathryn Finney celebrated the five-year anniversary of her popular blog, the Budget Fashionista. About 500 people packed the thrift store Housing Works, enjoyed cocktails and tried on Right Fit jeans. Finney credits her roots for her success. "Minneapolis is all about being frugal. It's in the water," she said.

Supermodel Roshumba Williams and Carson Kressley from "How to Look Good Naked" were in attendance. "When I grow up, I want to be frugal," Kressley said. A boy can dream ...

Thanks to the following she has from her 50^th and France boutique, designer Monique Lhuillier attracted a few rows of Minnesotans to her show. However, her "luxurious tropical island chic" theme probably wasn't inspired by the Midwestern climate. There were plenty of sweeping gowns ready for starlets to choose for the red carpet -- it will be fun to see who wears one of the stunning nude dresses with black tulle overlays. A white gown with a sandy print of wheat stalks would surely fit in on the prairies.

Marc Jacobs' show is considered the biggest of the week. The dazzling runway had vertical mirror monoliths that allowed attendees, including Jennifer Lopez and Victoria Beckham, to see a sliver of their own reflections. Models came through swinging mirrored doors to Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue." The clothes? Eliza Doolittle meets gypsy meets farm girl. The layered-up looks are likely to end up in stores not as whole looks, but in spectacular pieces.

Betsey Johnson's rocking show was a party, with giant hoop skirts and rompers. A bridal-ish segment featured lots of whimsical white frocks that probably nobody would get married in. Models also wore socks (no shoes) and were handcuffed behind their backs. Interpret on your own.

SARA GLASSMAN

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