During Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York, the runway show for Texas-born designer Lela Rose was an unlikely place for Minnesotans to converge.
However, celebrity hairstylist Ted Gibson, who lived in Minnesota for seven years working for Aveda, created the looks futuristic up-dos to match the space age, yet feminine looks for Rose's runway. "We thought the hair should be up, but not old-fashioned," said Gibson.
Mardi Larson of Minneapolis' Linden Hills was there because she works with Payless on designer collaborations -- so the booties and shoes from the collection will be available in stores later this year.
In the audience, Leah Simon-Clarke, owner of Extrados spa, was impressed by her first time at fashion week and thrilled with the legendary Gibson. "He is not only talented, but also has a sincere demeanor," she said.
Minnesotans again gathered at the Badgley Mischka show. The label uses jewelry by Sequin, a company started by Minnesotans Linda and Kim Renk. The line, whose work can also be seen in the window of Henri Bendel, makes pieces exclusively for Badgley Mischka.
"It's a galactic forest," said Linda Renk, of the collection's inspiration. "There's a lot with Avatar right now. The idea is futuristic, but the pieces are more beautiful." Indeed, the swinging necklaces and bold cuffs added quite a bit of sparkle and polish to the dazzling collection.
SARA GLASSMAN
