Fashion designers, particularly up-and-comers, are some of my favorite people. They're so passionate, creative and true to their own aesthetics -- they don't yet have marketing departments and business analysts cluttering things up. It's all about the design and the concept and the process.

So I was delighted to sit down and chat with independent designer Emily Bryngleson of Tender Cuts, one of my favorite Twin Cities fashion labels. I interviewed her for an August METRO magazine story (which you can read here) and helped out at the accompanying photo shoot.

Photographer Marshall Franklin Long took took the following outtakes on a beautiful July afternoon behind Upper Cut Boxing Gym, using local talent and jewelry by one of my favorite accessory designers, Cocoquette. Check it out:

It was kind of windy outside, which made for some cute, Marilyn-esque poses.

I dig the cute lower back cutout on that dress.

Pleated shorts! Remember how much I love them?

Gorgeous.

Trend reports are hands down my favorite type of photo shoot to style, so I was really excited to put together this September fashion story, highlighting some of the biggest trends for fall. I knew I wanted lots of layers, prints and metallics, but it wasn't until I started shopping that I fully realized the litany of fads on my plate.

You can check out the final version of the photo shoot here (along with the accompanying story), but below are some outtakes from the day. We had the hardest time picking our favorite shots! Sarah Beth from Ignite Models was outstanding — and this was her first professional photo shoot! Talk about a model with a bright future. (All photos are by Marshall Franklin Long)

I'm completely obsessed with this Balangiaga boots. They're so narrow, they almost wouldn't slip on the model's feet! I hadn't planned on styling this look with socks, but had to or the boots wouldn't come on. And you know? I kinda like it with socks!

This cream Rag & Bone top was so soft and luxurious. And I think I'm gonna get a pair of these Steve Madden army boots.

Love this pose. Man, we should've used this shot in the story! Ahhh, look at me, second-guessing. I'm sure I'd be saying the same thing about the shot we did use if it'd been this one that made it in the story.

Hair byJessica Bielke / Makeup by Nicole Fae

Isn't she gorgeous? We did this beauty shot at the end as a thank-you to the hair and makeup artists. Their work doesn't always get featured as well as the clothes in shoots like these.

What do you think of the looks? I hope you like 'em!

Like the rest of the world, I've become a huge fan of J.Crew in the last few years. Ever since creative director Jenna Lyons took the helm, the brand's turned from basic and preppy to luxurious and edgy. But have you ever wondered what would happen if you took J.Crew's aesthetic and turned it up a notch?

Hello, Elie Tahari. The Israeli orphan turned fashion designer has been creating high-end wearable, hip clothes for over 35 years. I love the way he mixes bold prints, tailored suiting and textures like sequins, fur and lace — all of which are on trend for this fall. His pieces range from pretty affordable ($250 dresses) to serious investments ($450 blazers). They're great for the girl who wants to turns heads in the office, then show off her curves in in a sleek cocktail dress.

Needless to say, I'm pretty pumped to see Tahari's Spring 2011 collection at New York Fashion Week next month. Here are a few shots from his Spring 2010 campaign:

And here are some of my favorites from his pre-fall 2010 lookbook:

I'm getting super excited for New York Fashion Week in a couple weeks! The invitations have been trickling in and so far, I'm jazzed about all of the designers whose Spring 2011 collections I get to see. As we lead up to the big week, I'm going to try to post about some of my favorites in an attempt to freshen my memory.

At the top of my list is California designer Rebecca Minkoff. While she isn't known for fancy-pants red carpet gowns, her casualwear and chic, edgy handbags are to die for. And I love that she's embraced the grunge resurgence. Her prices range from around $100 for a t-shirt to $500 for a leather satchel.

The following looks are some of my favorites from her Fall 2010 collection.

I would happily own any one of the following bags, also from her Fall 2010 line.

So much leather and studding, and so many buckles and zippers! Minkoff does rocker-chic really well.

I'm super excited to announce that I'm working with Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis on a fabulous in-store event for Fashion's Night Out, a shopping extravaganza taking place in shops across the world on Sept. 10th. They asked me to style a 12-look fall fashion runway show using anything I can find in the store. Can you imagine?? Free reign in Neiman Marcus! I'm going to lose my mind.

The above promo shot lists all of the trends I'll be presenting. And of course, it just so happens that I'm nuts about these fads. Fur? Lace? Feathers? Military? Um, hell yes.

If you're around that night, be sure to stop by!

Fashion's Night Out
Sept. 10, 5-8 pm
Neiman Marcus
5th St. & Nicollet Ave.
Minneapolis