Picking Up Crumbs: RetroRama

Designers Joynoelle, Ivan Idland & Kerry Riley pose with models.

The 5th annual RetroRama, which was last Thursday was set the Minnesota History Center, is something of an odd duck: a combination of sock hop, rummage sale and fantasy camp, it is all set up as great excuse to don some vintage duds and have gimlet in an imposing building.

There was some great fashion on display, both on the party-goers and on the designers showing looks in the tented runway area. Designers took inspiration from a specific decade and showed two looks inspired by the times: Ivan Idland was a perfect fit for the 20s, with his art deco arches and a brown trenchcoat with a vaulted finish to give it the lift of a zeppelin. George Moskal Joynoelle had a standout look from the 30s 40, with a glamorous evening gown in a metallic green topped with layers of shimmering copper organza, like a lithe koi fish, and Max Lohrbach‘s clear vinyl-covered lacy cocktail dress was a wry nod the protective housewife of the 50s. Since everyone else was dressed to the nines, the participant fashion show, where people could get up and model their own outfits was mix of high class and kitsch, and a blast.

1930s by Joynoelle.

Later in the evening, Dark Dark Dark played in the high rotunda of the atrium and as much as we love DDD, they had a tough row to hoe, competing with the unexpected Etta James bleed from the classic karaoke going on below. Still, everyone had a good time, Blacklist Vintage and the other vendors sold their wares, we got a recipe for classic tomato soup and the future looks good through the eyes of the past. Staciaann has a photoset up for Vita.mn, so check that out here.