The daily digest of Twin Cities culture | Secrets of the City

Whew, it's been such a busy week as we've put finishing touches on our January issue (and we're not done yet) that I almost forgot to tell ya: The Voltage 2008 designers were announced recently. (Yes, yes, by now it's old hat ... )

Here they are, in any case - a who's-who of great local designers: Amanda Christine, Annie Larson, Belle, Calpurnia Peach, George Moskal, Laura Fulk, Katherine Gerdes, Kristina Bell, Max Lohrbach, Pomije, Red Shoe Clothing Co., and my pal, Russell Bourrienne. There are, of course, both familiar and unfamiliar names in this lineup. I'm very pleased to see the reappearance of my two fave local designers, Katherine Gerdes and George Moskal. And I'm glad to see the addition of Bourrienne, a menswear maven, too.

This annual mash-up of local music and fashion is the definitive Minneapolis fashion event, friends. And it's actually a juried affair, so it can be tough for designers to get in.

As the April 16 Voltage event nears, I'll be sure to lend a few how-to's. This can be a very tough one to navigate if you are, like me, sort of old, sleepy, and crabby about standing on First Ave.'s concrete dance floor for hours on end. A good primer can be had at the Voltage preview event which, this year, is scheduled for February 7. If you care to experience (or relive) Voltage 2007, then click here.