Arguably the largest and longest annual fashion and music show of the year has an official lineup of designers. Drumroll, please: 2709, Allison Quinnell, Amanda Christine, Arwyn Birch, Calpurnia Peach (that’s their dress pictured above), Carmichael Claith, Emily Weich, Ivan Idland, Maritza Ramirez and Max Lohrbach. Their creations will take the runway set to a soundtrack provided by: Mercurial Rage, Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles, Gospel Gossip, First Communion Afterparty and Maria Isa. Mark your calendar for Friday, April 24 and check voltagefashionamplified.com for more details.

A few observations: There are no designers affiliated with “Project Runway” on this list and the event is now on a FRIDAY, yes a FRIDAY. In past years, it has been on Wednesday.

11/4 UPDATE: FYI– Katherine Gerdes, a.k.a. our former local “Project Runway” contestant was on the panel that selected this year’s crop of designers.

Kris Huson, in marketing for Children’s Cancer Research Fund, from St. Paul
Wearing: Vintage ‘80s dress from Up Six and handbag with Boy George on it.
1980s trend she regrets: “Stirrups and baggy jeans.”
Favorite candy: Black licorice
Best part of the show: “The music. Seriously! ‘80s rotation is still heavy in my iPod.”

Lili Jackson, furniture maker, from Minneapolis/Los Angeles
Wearing: American Apparel miniskirt and stirrup tights and her mom’s vintage ‘80s T-shirt dress.
Most influential ‘80s icon: “Kim Gordon at the end of the ‘80s and Madonna, of course.”
1980s trend she regrets: Perms

Shannon Murphy from Rogers
Occupation: Makeup artist for Lancome. She did makeup for all of the male models in the show.
Most influential ‘80s icon: “Madonna—style, power and soul.”
Favorite candy: Cotton candy (pink)
Favorite 1980s movie: “Breakfast Club”

There are loads of photos in the paper today. I’ll post some additional party style stars here.
Juliet Nelson, 15, high school student, from Wayzata
Wearing: Betsey Johnson dress that she bought in New York.
Most influential ‘80s icon: Madonna
Would you have liked the ‘80s? “Yes–if it was as fun as this party.”
Best part of the show: “’Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’ and the underwear models were pretty.”

Photos by Tom Wallace

You can’t touch Glamorama 2008. At least, not compared to the previous years in my memory– MC Hammer and Cyndi Lauper? Might have been the best night in my life since I was in the front row of the Cyndi Lauper concert in 1986.
There’s a short-ish video posted online here. Enjoy! Feel free to argue with me–but I think Hammer still has IT! There are party photos in the paper today and I’ll post the link when it’s available.