Style + Shopping July 2-15 || Shades of Beauty Expo

Wedding venue open houses, an icon fashion show, and grand openings make up the next two weeks
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Chula Fashion designs

Courtesy Chula Fashion

Check out some of the Twin Cities’ style and shopping events during these next two weeks.

Chula Fashion Pop Up

Designers Laura Fontan and Diego Cortizas are bringing international brand Chula Fashion to its first Minnesota pop up at Impact Hub MSP. Fontan and Cortizas began their journey in Spain, but when they moved to Hanoi in 2004, they were inspired by the culture and the city. Chula was built on a philosophy of “combining simplicity in shape with radical designs,” as their website puts it, and that’s easy to see in the bold and colorful geometric patterns that make up some of their outfits as well as the more intricate line and graphic work that makes up others. Every look has been handmade by people in the local communities around their base shop in Hanoi, and as the couple only has stores in Thailand, Spain, and Vietnam, this might be the only time you’ll be able to try on the clothing in person. July 6 from noon to 4 p.m. @ Impact Hub MSP, 817 Fifth Ave. S., Suite 400, Minneapolis, eventbrite.com.

designICON 2

Quinn Villagomez of KFAI’s radio show Fresh Fruit is the person behind this fashion show, which means it’s going to be full of energy, creativity, and entertainment. For the second year in a row, fashion designers in Minnesota will choose an icon and create a look that embodies their essence. Among the 20 icons slated for the runway are: Beyonce (whose look is created by Keiona Cook of Qe’Bella Couture), Xena Warrior Princess (Stephanie Stensland), Guillermo del Toro (Patricia Mahnke of Chemistry Fashions), Will Smith (Miesha McIntyre), Brenda Fassie (Victor Molubah Farmah), Erte’ (Tonya Yarwood), and Whitney Houston’s version of the fairy godmother from Disney’s Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 1997 Cinderella (Mason Persons). July 14 from 6 to 10 p.m. @ LUSH, 990 Central Ave. NE, Minneapolis, eventbrite.com. 

Artists in Anoka

The Anoka Riverfest & Craft Fair is July 13 in downtown Anoka, so besides the already quaint shops (personal favorites: Peterson Shoes—they have a cobbler, too!—and Truffles & Tortes), you can peruse more than 150 curated craft exhibitors and enjoy food, live entertainment, and a Kids’ Zone. At the same time, swing by the BIG White House for some extra goodies at the Two Rivers vintage outdoor flea market, plus extra sales inside the store. June 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. @ downtown Anoka (Anoka Riverfest & Craft Fair) and the BIG White House, 1900 Third Ave. S., Anoka. 

Shades of Beauty Expo

Created as a culturally focused beauty and wellness expo for women of color, Shades of Beauty is in its fourth year. The day starts with an Ambassadors of Beauty Brunch featuring youth who are championing diversity in their communities. Then the rest of the day is filled exhibitors (with an emphasis on women- and minority-owned businesses), and events like a fashion show highlighting African print, cooking demonstrations, hair how-tos, and an extreme hip hop workout. July 13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. @ St. Paul RiverCentre, 199 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, shadesofbeautyexpo.com. 

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