Sameena Bemat

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Now that Fall and Fall Fashion are fully underway, I've been thinking back to the big event (for me) of Fashion Week MN- the Arc's Value Village Pop-Up! Michelle had been been pulling product for months across Arc’s Value Village locations, and I was excited to help Michelle style, and to be a live mannequin for the event. (A unique take to models and mannequins that only Michelle would discover and apply!) 

The Day Of: I had never been to the Northrup King Building before, which is where the event was held on a late September Saturday- what a cool place! It’s got studios, gorgeous boutiques, home goods galleries, and more hidden treasures lining the hallways. Plus, it has its own parking lot which is so rare that I have to call it out! I got there at about 9:30 AM, with bags of product for my and one of the models I had styled, Robina's, looks. I had found some amazing vintage looks and was pumped to get to work!

​There’s no doubt that I’m more of a Summer girl, but I love Fall for a few reasons- sunny days, crisp air, and most importantly, Fall Fashion. After following along in New York's and Milan’s fashion weeks, I was beyond excited for Minnesota’s unique take with Fashion Week MN.

The first event I attended was award-winning local designer Danielle Everine's. She's a Project Runway alumni, and her Fall/Winter collection this year was inspired by Matryoshka nesting dolls and their predecessors, Japanese Daruma dolls. Her show was at a local gallery, City Wide Artists. It’s a really cool space, right on Nicollet Ave. The place was lighting the street up- there was a crowd of people talking and laughing outside. I met up with my girl Emmi Ro and we headed inside, which was packed and buzzing with stylish personas many who I recognized as favorite local fashion icons- obviously looking fab! 

Instead of a traditional runway, the event had a very interactive feel. When we first walked in, we got 3D glasses. The venue was bright, and the walls were lined with beautiful paintings and photographs. We checked out some of the art- it was extremely powerful, and there was a book that explained the significance many of the pieces had to culture, race, and more. 

We got there right on time- soon, the atmosphere quieted and everyone moved to provide a path for the models.