Party like it's 1955 at RetroRama

Dust off your poodle skirts and saddle shoes for a night of flashback glamour at RetroRama. The party time machine will take you back to the mid-20th century at the Minnesota History Center. A fashion show will feature looks inspired by yesteryear's leisure lifestyles from local designers Ivan Idland, Joy Teiken of Joynoëlle, George Moskal, Max Lohrbach and Kerry Riley, along with costumed partygoers. View the museum's vintage collection and add to your own with accessories from pop-up boutiques from Blacklist Vintage, the Spectacle Shoppe and Spinario Design.

Thursday, 7 to 11 p.m., Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, $15 tickets ($12 for Minnesota Historical Society members), advance purchase suggested, 651-259-3015, www.mnhs.org/retrorama.

The 17th annual event will feature representatives from Baume & Mercier, Bell & Ross, Breguet, Breitling, Cartier, Chanel, Chopard, Glashütte, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Raymond Weil, Tag Heuer and Tissot. Enjoy free gifts with purchase and watch giveaways. Trade-ins are welcome.

Thursday and Friday at 901 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612-338-5950, and June 10-11 at Ridgedale, 12401 Wayzata Blvd, Minnetonka, 952-591-0737, www.jbhudson.com.

Local designers Heather Hambrecht, Kimberly Jurek, Martha McQuade and Liz Plambeck will be showing off their new spring collections, created especially for the event. Get 20 percent off storewide.

Party from 6 to 9 p.m., 3001 W. 50th St., Mpls., 612-925-2400; discount valid through Sunday.

See the latest from the Greek jewelry line at Omorphia.

Local designer Kerry Riley ran into some trademark issues with her label's name, so she's retiring it via a New Orleans-style funeral with a fashion show and party, where she'll reveal the new brand's identity.

8 p.m., Thorp Building, 1620 Central Av. NE., Mpls., free.

During a weekend filled with arty parties and open studios, here's one for jewelry fans: Metalsmiths Britta Kauppila of Britta Lynn Design, Emily Johnson, Betty Jager and Susan Frerichs and painter Rita Van Allen will be offering new collections in their shared space. They'll also be hosting local coffee roasters Megan and Shawn Person of Public Coffee House, who will offer a selection of local brews.

Northrup King Building, 1500 NE. Jackson St., No. 435, Mpls., www.brittalynndesign.com.

A photography exhibit, sale and silent auction supports local nonprofit MNFashion. Available items include dresses by Carmichael Claith and George Moskal, a Rox Minneapolis necklace and a Coach handbag. The organization is currently in the running for a $50,000 grant from Pepsi to form a sewing co-op. You can vote online daily at www.refreshevery thing.com/mnfashion.

Last fall Anna Wintour and Vogue magazine launched an effort to promote shopping locally in New York City. Now they're trying to take the concept worldwide. That includes the Twin Cities. Local retailers (and customers who love them) are encouraged to be part of an autumn evening (Sept. 10) of shopping and meet-and-greets. Visit www.fashionsnightout.com to register.

Sara Glassman • 612-673-7177 • sglassman@startribune.com