It can take years for a designer to draw the attention of a major fashion magazine, but Target employees (and recent college graduates) Lauren Mayhew and Lindsey Hopkins have already gotten a boost from Elle magazine.

During Fashion Week in New York, the publication hosted its second annual Elle Fashion Next show at Lincoln Center. Sponsored in partnership with the Savannah College of Art and Design, where Mayhew and Hopkins were students, the show is designed to support emerging talent. The magazine followed 22 students in an online series (elle.com), which culminated in the New York runway show. Hopkins was awarded a $25,000 grant from Maybelline.

"[The looks] were wearable; they were chic; they were elegant, they were enough designed, but still restrained," said Elle's creative director Joe Zee of Hopkins' clothing collection. "I think that is the mark of a good designer."

Here's a closer look at the two new Twin Cities designers:

LAUREN MAYHEW, 22

Hometown: St. Paul.

Why fashion: In third grade, I was really inspired by the Spice Girls and pretended that I was their clothing designer. When it came time to apply to school, that was the only major I wanted to study.

bfanyc.com, Star Tribune
A dress by Lauren Mayhew from Elle Fashion Next at Lincoln Center in New York.

Collection concept: I became obsessed with hair and what I could do with it -- curling it and braiding it. It works so differently than fabric.

Hair supply: I used Synthetic from Sally's Beauty Supply. I had to call customer service and I'm sure they thought I was crazy.

The goal: I wanted to make it glamorous and contemporary at the same time and a little strange. I like to surprise people with my work and make it fun at the same time.

Favorite designers: Christopher Kane and Miuccia Prada, especially the Miu Miu line. I really love bold prints and the mixing of different prints, making them clash and making them work at the same time.

LINDSEY HOPKINS, 22

Hometown: Atlanta.

Collection concept: I started saving images that I really like and noticed the pictures used old hand-coloring techniques from the late 19th century. I printed a pattern from an old photograph of a prostitute in the early 1900s. [In the clothing,] the images are warped through pleating, so you can't see them. It's a little secret.

Who were you happy to see at the show? Iman. Oh, it was so cool!

What will you do with the prize money? It's a grant, so it needs to go toward starting a collection and getting my name out there. I might produce the scarf to get the name out there and move on to bigger things.

Favorite designers: Alexander McQueen. I love the drama and the imagination that goes into it and how much he committed to a concept and ran with it.

Everine at "Project Runway" finaleFormer "Project Runway" contestant and Twin Citian Danielle Everine and her fiancé, David Heisserer, attended the taping of the show finale, which featured the nine remaining contestants. Everine, who was eliminated in the fourth week, placed her bets on the winner. "I'm thinking Kimberly," she said. "She had this great ease mixed with structure." The series airs at 8 p.m. Thursdays on Lifetime.

Pick of the Week:

DENIM & SUPPLY RALPH LAUREN

at denimandsupply.com and Macy's

Ralph Lauren recently launched a collection of men's and women's clothing and accessories at affordable prices ($40 to $298). Inspired by the brand's American heritage, the denim and sportswear items have a more rugged feel, but incorporate the designer's signature polished look.

Sales and Events:

THURSDAY

Monique Lhuillier Bliss trunk show: Brides looking for luxury on a budget will want to check out the designer's 2012 lower-priced bridal collection.

Through Saturday. Monique Lhuillier Flagship Salon, 3928 W. 50th St., Edina. 612-929-0747, by appointment.

FRIDAY

Envision Artopia Fall 2011: The fashion show will highlight local boutiques and designers, including Amanda Christine, Arwyn Birch, Caroline Hayden, Gina Marie Vintage, Kathryn V, Kelly Ver Duin and YQY by Vivian.

9 p.m., Graves 601, 601 1st Av. N., Mpls., $25 for general admission advance tickets and $50 to $75 for VIP at www.vitalculture.com.

SATURDAY

Fashioned: One Becomes Another: Local designer and "Project Runway" alum Christopher Straub created a collection of dresses from canvases painted by Patrick Kemal Pryor.

7 to 10 p.m., Anita Sue Kolman Gallery, Northrup King Building, 1500 NE. Jackson St., Studio 395, Mpls., free. Exhibit through Oct. 29.

Sara Glassman • 612-673-7177 • sglassman@startribune.com • Follow Glassman on Twitter: @sararglassman