We decided to take over this Month’s Creative Class column to part the curtain on our own creative endeavor—Fashionopolis—and give an insider look on how we bring our annual runway show and experience to life. But first, the backstory.

Gone are the days of the big department store (Dayton’s, Marshall Field’s, Macy’s) fashion event known as A Cause for Applause, Fash Bash, and eventually rechristened Glamorama. Also gone are the big store budgets and dollars from national brands that created magic at the State Theatre followed by the party of the season in the 8th Floor Auditorium, spilling out onto the roof of the adjacent parking ramp.

A dozen years ago, we sought to bring a taste of that magic back and produced our first Fashionopolis at Aria. The intent has always been to highlight local retail and designers. Ours is a caliber of show that few can create on their own, but collectively, we can feature wares and work of local sources in an experience that connects fashion lovers to fashion.

Each year, our editor in chief, Jayne Haugen Olson; contract runway show producer, Grant Whittaker; and trend and style editor, Madeline Nachbar (that’s me!) collaborate with our events team (director Holly Dyson and marketing manager Media Tafreshi) to deliver this signature event to the community. The result is a see-and-be-seen happening wrapped around a one-hour runway show (what we magazine makers refer to as the event’s “editorial”). It’s our love letter to local talent, retail, and design. Our move to Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis three years ago took it to the next level. The luxe surround provided an opportunity to expand the experience with pre- and post-show excitement created in collaboration with sponsors and partners in a glamorous downtown setting.

Our annual planning starts with editorial’s creative vision—what some call the “theme”—to serve as the guiding focus for our runway storytelling, styling, branded assets (ads and social media campaigns), and those pre- and post-show party activations. In years past, we’ve explored how fine art impacts fashion, the influence of the iconic Prince, style influences from past decades, and major fashion cities. In 2023, we had fun with a theme around area codes and the style personas of 651, 763, 952, and 612. This year, we’re leaning into car culture and the intersection of the automobile and its role in fashion and pop culture via “Fashion in the Fast Lane.”

We curate a  pitch-perfect mix of clothing, beauty, music, video, and talent—models, singers, and performers—that helps us create a truly immersive event designed to stimulate the senses.

Unlike a department store, we don’t sell clothing, so none of this is possible without our retailers. On average, we pull pieces from more than 25 specialty boutiques and designers to emulate how fall trends show up in our Cities. It’s a whirlwind knowing that our team works with what’s available in store the week we are pulling, and that ability is one of Grant Whittaker’s superpowers. We don’t charge the retailers, and they know we will mix a piece from their store with pieces from others to create a blend of what’s available in our backyards and inspire attendees to hit shops for fresh additions to add to their own wardrobes for the new season. It’s an inspiration for all—including our team, who continues to be blown away by the evolution of our independent boutique scene.