It’s almost over! Laura Fulk closes the show. She has incredible silhouettes. The tailoring is impeccable. Her inspiration for the show was the “Midwestern pioneer woman” mixed with Laura’s signature hard-edge punk style. I love the idea and concept. With some 40 fashion shows in her repetoire, Laura is possibly the best show-woman in town knowing how to pace and dazzle the crowd. Feather crowns and crazy hair became more exaggerated throughout the presentation. (Though feathers were weirdly reminiscent of Carolina Herrera’s recent collection.) The clothes were also quite beautiful–it was the literal touches that kind of bugged me–such as the sacks used as fabric. I’d be much more intrigued by an interpretation that would also appeal and be wearable to the modern punk Laura Ingalls Wilder in us all.

Menswear at Voltage? You betcha. Russell Bourrienne had the sole menswear collection, ironically blurring the lines between masculine and feminine. Controversial? You betcha again–some of the crowd loved it, some of the crowd didn’t fall in love with the east meets west collection. Maybe it was also the fact that they had been standing or sitting for three hours. The highlight? The cool shirts will surely be a boon to a summer wardrobe.

Kerry Riley’s collection was grown up and sophisticated. She showed pretty dresses with an edge. I just wanted the collection to come together in a way that it just didn’t. High-waisted pants were cute, but felt like last year. (Those who repeat Voltage are totally at-risk for comparisons to their own work.)

Maybe it was the hyper MC/VL performance or maybe it was the crazy hair of the models, but Annie Larson’s Swank Dollar had energy. Playful is the more accurate word. Her designs were not as precise as her collection was last year–more loosely fitted sweats. Maybe that’s the idea–she’s shown she has the skills and she wants to mess with us. Clever! Like she said–after-dinner mints.

A fan favorite from her “Project Runway” days. She’s still using her favorite fabric– jersey, but innovating this year by incorporating environmentally sound fabric—organic cotton. Her best works were hombre evening gowns that she dyed the fabric for. Imagine going to an event in a gown that’s actually a fancy tee. Plus, you can say it’s by Gerdes. What can we say, but she’s our Katy.

Even though, she said more rock and roll and less feminne,  I say rock and roll and feminine. This leather jacket would be any rock star’s dream.