Minneapolis Fashion Designer Amanda Christine

Below is a short profile I wrote on Minneapolis fashion designer Amanda Christine for the January issue of METRO magazine. She's the prime example of an indie designer whose determination, business smarts and artistic talent have enabled her to make clothes full time. It isn't easy, of course, and she hasn't become an overnight millionaire, but her work is sold in boutiques around the country (and even a few in Japan and Toronto), and it's only growing.

Figuring out how to mass-produce designs, hire remote sales reps, balance the books, source affordable fabrics, maintain a showroom AND turn out fresh collections each season is challenging, to say the least. Most designers start and stop at making collections, but Amanda has the right amount of business savvy to become a "real" fashion designer. And she's based in Minneapolis! Pretty cool.

Karlie in Color

Whoa.

I don't know what to love more about this Karlie Kloss editorial from the October Vogue Russia — the modeling or the styling. Both are incredible. The combination of color and layers and print-mixing and clashing and utter chaos somehow manages to look seamless and fluid. The emotion of Karlie's face in each shot, and the amazing shapes she makes with her Gumby-like body, tell a story in each frame.

This is one of those pieces that reinstills my faith in the power of an all-white shoot, which can sometimes seem monotonous.

So inspiring.

Joynoelle Studio Visit

I spent Halloween morning hanging out at the atelier of acclaimed Minneapolis designer Joy Teiken, the face behind womenswear and bridal line Joynoelle. She's one of the most delightful designers I've had the pleasure of meeting — so down-to-earth, charming and passionate about fashion. She started designing in 2000 after creating a beret for her cancer-stricken mother — pretty noble beginnings if you ask me.

As I poked around bolts of fabric, racks of dresses and walls of hats, Joy worked on her 2012 collection, which will be unveiled on Nov. 14th at the Grand Café. Inspired by "the caged bird," she used lots of criss-cross shapes, feathers and rich reds, browns and creams to tell the journey of the bird from cage to freedom.

I didn't want to ruin the surprise, so the garment shots above are some of my favorite pieces from past collections. But let me assure you: The 2012 show is going to be something special. I'll be sure to post photos afterward!