Story and video by EVA THOMAS/ Murphy News Service
The 18th season of the Envision fashion showcase returned recently to Orchestra Hall, for the fourth season in a row.
The late-September event, hosted by Ignite Models, Public Functionary and V2, filled the venue with some of Minneapolis’ most fashionable folks, local designers, live performances and innovative art installations.
The event takes place in the fall and spring and is the longest running fashion event in the Twin Cities. This season’s show served as the anchor point to Fashion Week Minneapolis, a new semi-annual event started by a collective of independent producers and designers with one goal in mind—to engage Minnesota’s fashion community.
Andrea Gyenge, a Minneapolis-based fashion writer and stylist, said she loves seeing what people wear.
“It’s the best-dressed event in Minneapolis. People really are amazing,” Gyenge said. “It’s not just one note here,” she added. “People look in all sorts of ways, and it doesn’t matter what you put on, you’re going to fit in.”
New and familiar faces were among the attendees at the showcase there to see this season’s local fashion designs.
Twelve designers presented their fall lines. Prior to the presentation of each collection, a short video clip was played in which the designers briefly talked about what inspired them.
Monsieur Adi, a locally based, French artist and producer, returned for the second time, creating a soundtrack for the showcase. Ari put together 12 playlists, each curated for the different collections.
The two-part show with a 30-minute intermission went well into the evening hours. But there was no shortage of entertainment.
Public Functionary organized a VIP room that offered guests snacks and art to enjoy. A large art installation was also in the room, providing attendees a photo op in front of a backdrop created with a colorful array of Washi tapes.
A portion of the event proceeds, silent auction and $1 dollar of every pre-sale ticket benefitted Public Functionary, the show’s art partner.
Reporter Eva Thomas is studying journalism at the University of Minnesota.