MN Fall Fashion Week: Thunderball

It's true that the Midwest isn't known as a bastion for cutting-edge fashion. Sure, most suburbs contain at least one strip mall featuring a clothing store owned by GAP. And yes, we sometimes un-ironically don giant parkas during some of our colder months. But that doesn't mean we don't have our stylin' moments. This weekend, MNfashion celebrates local designers who work hard to shred our fashion-impaired reputation with a handful of events around the Twin Cities. Things kick off at 5 p.m. Wednesday with a cocktail party at the Red Stag Supper Club (509 First Ave. NE, Minneapolis). The next few days will be a parade of runway, trunk, and special preview shows at local shops, bars, museums, and gallery spaces. There will be many quirky events as well, including a citywide scavenger hunt for free jewelry (check out www.FerociterStyle.com to play). Envision's celebration Friday at Solera (900 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis) will feature a hairstyle competition where stylists will tease, spray, and blow-dry their way into hair supremacy. The party runs from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. with cocktails, tapas, and clothes; a portion of the proceeds benefits the breast cancer nonprofit the Young Survivors Coalition. Looking to stay fit and fashionable? Fashionistas can take in a fashion bike ride at 1 p.m. Sunday, starting at ROBOTlove (2648 Lyndale Ave S., Minneapolis). Perhaps the coolest event on the roster is the Thunderball, where mod-dressed clotheshorses can enjoy James Bond-themed festivities, martinis, local musicians covering Bond songs, and costume competitions from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. Saturday at the Annex (509 First Ave. NE, Minneapolis). For a complete schedule of events, check out mnfashion.org
Sat., Sept. 20, 8 p.m.-3 a.m., 2008