As Milwaukeeans know, the changing of the seasons, no matter what time of year, is never a swift, fluid transition. Although the beginning of spring is officially marked by the equinox on March 21, here in the Midwest we're often faced with sub-seasons -- the month-or-so-long period where the whether is in constant flux, bringing warm summer-like sun one day and a light dusting of snow the next.
Taking notes from nature's prevalent unpredictability, Milwaukee-based fashion designer Shanel Regier has spent many of the recent winter months preparing her new line. And although her unveiling at the Historic Turner Ballroom Saturday, April 21 is technically deemed her "Fall 2007 Collection," Regier says her latest creations can accommodate just about any varying weather system Mother Nature can send our way.
"From an industry stand point, now is when I'm supposed to introduce my fall collection," she says. "But since I don't really sell to stores -- except for Lela (Milwaukee) and Lady Moxie in Madison -- I wanted to think about the immediate client, who is going to be looking for things to wear this spring and summer."
Bridging the gap between industry and consumer, Regier's collection harnesses a duality. What you'll find from this fashionista are two contrasting concepts brought together in one 30-plus-piece, ready to wear runway show.
Regier's spring-centric work flowers with freshness, incorporating airy blues, light greens and whites in full, ballooning dresses. The empire waistlines emote innocence, while the flowing forms promote an adolescent flirtation.
The fall-focused pieces embrace more neutral colors -- blacks, browns, grays -- that are carefully offset by pops of color -- lime green, teal. This segment of the collection, Regier says, is more true to her signature Victorian-era aesthetic. Modeled on full-figured women, the extremely feminine attire features curvaceous, dramatically tailored dresses.
"I wanted to experiment a bit more with this collection, but I also know what sells," mentioning that her locally-famous corsets -- new versions of which feature belt buckle clasps as opposed to her usual laced back -- remain a hot item at Lela Boutique. "I was able to move in a new direction while giving my audience something familiar."
A familiar collaboration, jewelry designer J. Edgar Duff provides original pieces to accessorize Regier's designs.
Prior to the 8 p.m. runway show guests can participate in a silent auction, with proceeds to benefit the "Shanel Regier Art In Fashion Scholarship Fund." Debuting this year, the fund offers a scholarship or grant to one art student of any major with a junior or senior standing. The recipient is chosen by Regier based on a submitted portfolio of work.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Julie Lawrence grew up in Wauwatosa and has lived her whole life in the Milwaukee area.
As any “word nerd” can attest, you never know when inspiration will strike, so from a very early age Julie has rarely been seen sans pen and little notebook. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee it seemed only natural that she major in journalism. When OnMilwaukee.com offered her an avenue to combine her writing and the city she knows and loves in late 2004, she knew it was meant to be. Around the office, she answers to a plethora of nicknames, including “Lar,” (short for “Larry,” which is short for “Lawrence”) as well as the mysteriously-sourced “Bill Murray.”
