This dress needs a serious make over to do it justice. It was originally used as a bridesmaids dress and now I would love to be able to transform it into something else. The color and material are excellent but as you can see it never fit properly and is out of style. Please help me take this dress from ugly to glam.

Some of the candidates.

The more fabric means the more things we can do with it, and the purple fabric type allowed a more casual fit, so we picked Nicole. (Plus, nobody should have to wear that again.)

Nicole gave us full creative freedom so we sketched out a two piece outfit

Here’s some highlights of the process:

So, after long nights of tweaks (and a few tears) to get it just right, we finally ended up with an outfit that Nicole could walk away with and cast aside that dark bridesmaid past. Twin Cities Live, you challenged and we accepted.

Watch the live segment and reveal HERE.

Now… we really must go have a drink. Until next time.

- CC cast and crew (Angie, Katrina, Allison, and intern Kait)

We are looking for a cool guy or gal to assist with the development of our Spring 2012 collection. This individual would be a support role to all three arms of the brand – design, production, and marketing. This person must:

• Have an understanding of eco-fashion and textiles
• Be in the Minneapolis vicinity
• Have reliable transportation
• Have access to a sewing machine and dress form (and serger if possible)
• Be a conceptual thinker, problem solver, and general do-gooder
• Be able to work independently and in a small group

Some duties would include: (plus other as needed)

• Doing inventory and organization of materials
• Pre-production prep of materials
• Researching new natural/zero waste processes for dying, production, etc.
• Assisting with patterning
• Assisting with event production
• Designing accessories from excess fabric
• Prep clothing for runway and retail

Internship is unpaid. We ask a commitment of about 5 hours a week (keep in mind this will most likely increase right before and during fall fashion week). Looking for individual to start in August and assist until mid to late October.

About CounterCouture:

We are a group of three girls who believe in the need for fashion to evolve. We are an upcycling brand focusing on creating zero-waste collections and information sharing. We primarily transform formal gowns into completely new pieces, both runway and ready-to-wear. We have hosted ground breaking events, showed at one of the most premiere shows at MNfashion Week, and are proud to be doing something completely unique to the industry. We are hard-working, passionate, flexible, fun – and hope that you are too!

Don’t send us a generic cover letter, it’s a snooze fest. Instead, send a brief email to Angie at countercouturempls@gmail.com explaining why you’d like to work with us, what you’ve done, and if you can do all the things listed (or more). If you have a portfolio and/or pictures of relevant projects make sure and send that too.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

FASHION MUST EVOLVE.

We feel so special to have people noticing our hard work and attempts to bring a sexy eco product to the world of fashion. Below are some links to reviews/recaps as well as photos by Rhea Pappas if you missed out. And here is a great video recap of The Shows by Metromix. Cheers everybody!

• Review by Joan Erakit for Frank151

“With cocktail dresses, body-con mini skirts, and lace applique fit for a parisian lingerie shop; Counter Couture allowed Minneapolitans a glimpse into a wardrobe of a very confident, and vivacious woman.”

• Q & A by Michelle Leon with founder about upcycling during fashion week for AOL/City’s Best

• The Shows feature and runway photo recap by Mary O’Regan for METRO Magazine

• Review by Tricia Khutoretsky for Basic Space blog

“… The designers have a clear and exciting vision. Between their solid execution and successful blend of edgy/girly/sexy, Counter Couture is one to watch over the next few years.”

• Full page on CounterCouture (below) and recap of show by Katie Dohman for Minnesota Monthly

“Loved the graphic black, white, and red pairings and the attitude it conveyed—confident, chic women at a sexy cocktail party.”

MORE PHOTOS IN OUR LOOKS GALLERY

The collection is a mixture of simple silhouettes with details drawing the eye around the body and pieces that play with texture. They are not spring, they are not even solely fall, they are something neutrally classic; all season pieces for all women, everywhere. We were inspired by hellion children’s book character Eloise. Although she wears a schoolgirl outfit and lives in the Plaza Hotel, she runs a muck, causes destruction, and has an incredibly vivid and wild imagination.

Again, if you didn’t know… Our runway show, the first night in a two night series called The MNfashion Shows, produced by MNfashion will be going down tomorrow, Wednesday, April 13th at the Atrium inside the Grainbelt Bottling House in NE Minneapolis. Full details are here including address and how to purchase tickets. Note, there will be limited tickets sold at the door, so buy online!

Select pieces will be sold at Cliche following the show. Owners Josh and Delayna have also generously offered to host our trunk show on Sunday, April 17th so if you were drooling over anything on the runway you can snatch it up for your very own personal slobber fest. Wait, what? We’re tired.

Thank you for the support family, friends, partners, industry professionals. We hope that our pieces showcase upcycling at its finest, and the ability for eco to be fabulous and affordable. See you tomorrow night!

Angie Arner
Owner; CounterCouture

Yippee!

About our collection:

CounterCouture’s upcycled line fuses design, ecology, social responsibility, style and sense. The brand consists of a small creative collective of local talent including Angie Arner, Katrina Elliott and Allison Danzl.

The spring collection draws on influences like children’s book character Eloise, a mischievous girl who grew up in the Plaza Hotel with an air of elegance but flair for the dramatic. The spring looks put a spin on classic essentials by incorporating various textures and contrasts.

About The MNfashion Shows:

The MNfashion Shows,  presented by EMI Audio and MNfashion, are a collection of fashion shows featuring local designers who have developed their brand and are ready to show solo. Many of this spring’s designers are Voltage: Fashion Amplified veterans and have taken their business to the next level.

$20 General Admission Standing
$25 General Admission Seated
$30 Two-day pass to both MNfashion Shows, General Admission Standing

*Ticket prices include two complimentary drink tickets, courtesy of Goose Island Beer Company, St. Croix Vineyards and vitaminwater zero.

Without further ado, PURCHASE HERE.

- CC Design Team

The Shows are a collection of fashion shows featuring local designers who have developed their brand and are ready to show solo. Many of this springs designers are Voltage: Fashion Amplified veterans and have taken their business to the next level. We have the pleasure of showing with George Moskal on Wednesday night – Kevin Kramp and Emma Berg will be showing on Thursday night.

New runway look presented at press & buyer event on 1/20/11. Photo by Stephanie Colgan.

This runway series an initiative on MNfashion’s part to have an industry-focused show for vets to showcase to buyers, press, and shoppers and to begin to create a consistent venue at the Atrium for MNfashion Week events. It all started last fall with Pale Rider, which was a collaborative show between Danielle Everine and Raul Osorio. See pics from the show here and here.

The Shows will run during Spring MNfashion Week and will take place on April 13, 2011 from 6-9pm and April 14, 2011 from 6-8pm at the MNfashion Atrium in NE Minneapolis. We feel so lucky to have been asked to participate! And we will not let you down CC lovers.

City Pages recently hyped it up – check out the article here.