Voltage preview The annual Voltage Fashion Amplified show offers a who's who in the local fashion scene. The music and fashion extravaganza lets up-and-coming designers display their latest on a runway at First Avenue. Recently, a preview event offered a glimpse of some of the fresh talent that will be showing on April 15. (For details of the show, go to www.voltagefashionamplified.com.) Here are works by the new crop of designers, who will join show veterans Max Lohrbach, Ivan Idland, Danielle Everine, Frances Zerr and Raul Osario:
Tim & Thom: Twin brothers Tim and Thom Navarro are doing mostly menswear. They feature a retro flair with functional elements, such as a lightweight messenger bag. Well-known in the local biking community, the duo often designs wheel-worthy clothes.
Rachel Blomgren: This fashion-meets-function designer has a flair for utilitarian separates, including a cherry red skirt that has two detachable side saddlebags, which serve as sweet pockets.
Kathryn V: A senior at the University of Minnesota, Kathryn Sterner designs her line with only sustainable fabrics. Her Voltage collection mixes patterns and cool nubby textures.
Terri Martin: Martin has a thing for geometry, especially circles. But you won't see polka dots in her Voltage collection. Instead, look for a circular leather vest or a hand-knit vest made from two doughnut-shaped pieces stitched together.
Sarah Holm: Known for using edgy hand-dyed silks and structured construction in her dresses, Holm is now dabbling in swimwear that boasts an urban, edgy feel.
Save our soles All the salt on sidewalks and streets really takes a toll on your footwear.
"I've seen a lot of salty shoes come in lately," said Randall Reichstadt, owner of the lower-level shoe repair shop at Macy's in downtown Minneapolis. In addition to leaving white rings on leather, salt deposits can gather on car mats and wear spots on the backs of shoes.
