A selection of items currently in the Local Archives—even though Kimberly Jurek-Valanzasca is constantly adding more pieces from different designers, be warned that once an item is gone, it is gone.
courtesy Kimberly Jurek-Valanzasca
Since the Fitting Room opened in June this summer, it has always been about local designers and curation. Starting Sept. 1, its founder Kimberly Jurek-Valanzasca (of the now-closed Showroom Boutique) is continuing that theme but with a twist—she’s looking at the end of the fashion cycle, at the ensembles and pieces that were loved but are no longer used as often, and those that can be reimagined and updated.
“I’m always inspired by vintage, and I started to think about how I could apply that to the Fitting Room knowing that really, my focus is on local design,” Jurek-Valanzasca says. “Reflecting on myself—and I’ve been designing in Minneapolis since 2005 or 2004—I started to think about all the pieces I’ve made. I’m like, ‘Wow, that’s a lot,’ so when I thought of all the people and designers in Minneapolis and Minnesota, it just made sense.”
Courtesy Kimberly Jurek-Valanzasca
To start off Local Archives, she already has pieces from Light Horse Studios made by Minnesota designers (some have some fun faux fur that Jurek-Valanzasca says will be perfect for fall), and others have come from the decades-inspired Idle Child, Kindred Folk (Jurek-Valanzasca’s own discontinued boho line), Karen Morris Millinery, and acclaimed jeweler Stephanie Lake as well as George Moskal, Ivan Idland, and Emma Berg.
Like auctioneers telling stories of each lot’s storied history, Jurek-Valanzasca is trying to do the same. To create a broader picture of the local fashion scene, she plans to include as much information on each tag as she can so when shoppers look through the pieces, they look through its history as well. She knows she’ll probably end up adding tid-bits of information as she talks to people in person, too.
“I can see doing [the Local Archive] forever,” Jurek-Valanzasca says. “I’ve been sourcing through local designers, stylists, and collectors, and that does include some clients. I’d like to be able to introduce it to the wider public if people are interested—this is really a starting point for me.”
Courtesy Kimberly Jurek-Valanzasca
