LAB | Collective Newspaper | Winter 2020

collective WINTER

Vol. 01 2020

MPLS ― MINN

W H AT ’ S I N S I D E :

PA G E 2 - 3

PA G E 4 - 5

PA G E 6 - 7

BETTER TOGETHER

O U R N O RT H S TA R

MEET THE COLLECTIVE

LABMPLS.COM

LAB

@LABMPLS

Better Together Create. Connect. Collaborate. These are the words that have always defined LAB. Together, they’re our North Star, guiding everything we do. We deeply love the Twin Cities community— and we wholeheartedly believe in the power of collaboration and authentic connections to contribute to a thriving community.

C R E AT E .

If you’ve followed LAB for any amount of time, you know that we love beautiful things. But we don’t create beautiful events and materials just for the sake of beauty.

We do it because we believe that good design and curated events will draw people in, inspire them, and get them talking.

Through in-person events, creative services, and brand experiences we’ve built a community of like-minded people who believe in making space for beauty, inspiration, and creativity. The community events we create—LAB Talks, The Collective, and brand experiences—inspire people to engage with new brands, expose them to new ideas, and get them inspired to try

something new. And our creative services? They define our clients’ brands and help their personalities shine through—bringing their businesses to life, and showing them off to the world in the best way possible.

businesses grow—from genuine connections.

new girl gang. Because there’s really nothing better than finding a new kindred spirit who you may never have otherwise met.

The creating we do brings brands and ideas to life in a new way, but also leads to meaningful connections.

C O N N E C T. For us, marketing and design begins with community.

Because, if something doesn’t resonate with the people it was created for, what’s the point? In fact, we believe the best form of marketing is when somebody else talks about your brand. So, we want to connect our clients to the Twin Cities community. That means supporting and elevating your brand by connecting you and your business to quality people and resources. This is how

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But you know what? It’s not just about business growth.

Our love of fostering connections also shows up in simply wanting to introduce you to like-minded people and help you forge new friendships. We want to help connect you with your new favorite brand. Your interior designer or hairstylist. Your kid’s new playmate. Your

And sometimes these connections lead to the very best collaborations.

LABMPLS.COM

C O L L A B O R AT E .

Over the years, we’ve seen people connect through LAB and collaborate in so many fun and meaningful ways. The collaboration in our community has launched podcasts and businesses, led to job opportunities and photoshoots. Resulted in mentorship and friendship.

And there’s no way LAB would exist today without collaboration from and with so many other local and national brands.

“

None of us need to go it alone.

What we’re saying is: We’re better together. None of us need to go it alone. In fact, we think individuals and businesses are stronger when we share ideas and resources—when we aren’t afraid to wave a flag and ask for help. When we don’t think twice about shining a light on a peer who might ordinarily be competing for the same audience. When we have each other’s backs.

Because we believe there’s room for all of us at the table.

And if LAB has taught us anything, it’s that honest, authentic collaboration makes us all better. It’s like the old adage goes—a rising tide lifts all boats.

All this? This is why we do what we do. Because creating beauty in a world of uncertainty, building connections in a generation of isolation, and valuing collaboration when the system wants us to compete for likes and follows and audiences helps us all do better.

us expected. And we need creativity, connection, and collaboration now more than ever. But the way we build and invest in these values looks pretty different today than it did this time last year.

So, we’ve been busy reimagining some things. Our community has come to love The Collective, our annual pop-up where you can not only shop and support local businesses but meet the faces behind the brands. It’s been a space to connect, learn, and revel in beauty. But we can’t carry on in the same way this year. At the same time, local businesses need support now more than ever.

So, we’ve spent the last six months dreaming, problemsolving, and wrapping our minds around the future of retail. And we’re pretty excited with where we’ve landed.

With a curated shopping experience, complete with contactless shopping, we’re giving the LAB community a new way to experience and support all of the local brands we love so much. Part art gallery, part curated brand experiences, part pop-up, we’re giving you and our beloved members of The Collective a new way to connect and interact. And in a way that’s safe and let’s you engage, whatever your comfort level.

So today, we welcome you to The Collective 2020.

It’s a new take on retail that we think you’ll love. We hope you leave inspired and having connected with someone new—whether virtually or face-to-face. May this experience buoy you and bring back a little of the magic and hope that may have slipped away this year.

We’re so glad you’re here.

But we’re not stopping here. We’re always looking for fresh, innovative approaches and ideas. Case in point: 2020. This year hasn’t turned out like any of M O N I CA F R I ES E

M A K I N G I T P E RS O N A L Q & A W I T H RAC H E L O E L K E , M A R K ET I N G D I R E CTO R AT T H E G A L L E R I A , O N H OW T H EY ’ R E TA K I N G A N EW A P P R OAC H TO R ETA I L

Q : How has your approach to retail at The Galleria shifted over the last 6+ months as a result of COVID-19?

Q : How are shops at the Galleria connecting with customers and selling products in different ways?

A : Instead of focusing on one main path for people to shop (in-person) we had to totally switch our mindset and reach people where they are instead of placing such a focus on bringing them to us. It’s resulted in some innovative solutions and a more personalized approach to shopping. We are willing to help you get what you need in any way you feel comfortable, whether it’s in-store, curbside, or delivery.

A : Our stores have definitely had to find multiple solutions to get products in front of shoppers in new ways. Many have further embraced social media and technology as a way to connect with shoppers and give them a taste of the store experience from their homes.

Instagram Live, FaceTime shopping, and special shipping and courier services are all ways that our stores are still connecting with their customers, and giving them a special, personalized experience.

Q : Which of these changes do you think will stick around long-term, and which of them do you see as more temporary solutions due to COVID-19?

A : I think the pandemic has opened up a new level of personalized service that will continue to set the bar in retail going forward. The option to have your purchase delivered to your home, receive a handwritten note in the package you picked up curbside, get a text from a local store letting you know your favorite jeans are on sale — all of these gestures make a customer feel special and show how important they are to the store or brand.

Written by Amy Overgaard

@LABMPLS

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O U R N O RT H STA R

LAB ― MPLS

M E ET T HE C OL L E C T I V E Meet our beloved and hand-picked local makers and businesses that make up The Collective 2020. Their work inspires us and their creativity is contagious. We are lucky to have their talents in our community. Get to know them and their goods, follow them on social, fall in love, share their gifts - and support them now and always.

EMPRESSED THREADS @ E M P R ES S E DT H R EA D S

Practice the art of adornment with handmade tassel jewelry that embodies that of an empress, the ultimate nurturer and feminine warrior.

FLAME & FLORA @ F L A M E F LO RA ― flameflora.com

ART BY ALEISHA

CAROUSEL + FOLK

@A RT BYA L E I S H A ― ar tbyaleisha.com

@ CA RO U S E L A N D FO L K ― c a ro u s e l a n d fo l k .c o m

Cartography artist Aleisha Nelson specializes in handpainted, customizable map artwork and prints. Pick your city, pick your color, highlight spots that are meaningful to you - and soon you’ll have a one-of-its-kind, personalized piece of artwork in your hands.

A husband and wife team who work together to source the best vintage decor, hand made goods and house plants for you and your home.

ASHTYN SIBINKSI

@ M Y D E N OVA ― m yd e n ova .c o m

@AS H T Y N S I B I N S K I A RT ― a s h t n n s i b i n s k i a r t .c o m

Collages, paintings, and murals that seek visual harmony by way of shape, color and composition. Ashtyn’s creative process is fueled by an eagerness to combine colors and an excitement for rearranging shapes.

AUSTIN | FOWLER @AU ST I N A N D FOW L E R ― a u s t i n f ow l e r.c o m

Bags for women that keep them feeling chic and organized on the go. Austin Fowler bags make the perfect work bag, travel bag, diaper bag, and every day bag. You should never have to sacrifice style for function!

BEE NATURALZ @ B E E N AT U RA L Z ― b e e n a t u r a l z .c o m

DE NOVA Luxe robes that bring indulgence to everyday rituals & celebrate life’s special moments. Hand crafted with care.

DOTTIR @ D OT T I R _ J E W E L RY ― d o t t i rs h o p.c o m

A contemporary jewelry line that balances artistry with wearability. Influenced by the designer’s Scandinavian heritage and illustration background, Dottir focuses on clean lines, geometric shapes, and elegant forms.

ELLEN HOUSE JEWELRY @ E L L E N H O U S E J E W E L RY ― e l l e n h o u s e j ewe l r y.c o m

Intentionally crafted modern jewelry for everyday wear.

Made by hand, lightweight, and unique; Ellen House Jewelry creates staple collections you’ll wear time and time again.

Created with a mission to combine #beepower with nature’s purest ingredients to make non-toxic skincare products that support radiant skin + overall wellness.

EMBROIDERS CLOTHING

BIG STICK STUDIO

Unique and custom hand-embroidered apparel. Each piece of clothing is hand stitched by Emily with the goal to spark joy and spread love.

@ B I G ST I C K . ST U D I O ― b i g s t i c ks t u d i o.c o m

@ E M B RO I D E RS C LOT H I N G ― embroidersclothing.com

A unique, hands-on experience allowing guests to pour their own custom scented candles and pot their own styled house plants. Flame and Flora values creativity and community and loves being able to combine these in their events and products.

FLORENCE OLIVER @ F LO R E N C E O L I V E R ― e t sy.c o m /s h o p / f l o re n c e o l i ve r

Plant-based beauty products and herbal body care.

All products are created with the highest quality, mostly organic, thoughtfully sourced, and cruelty-free ingredients. Their modern apothecary products are botanical alchemy for your skin and soul.

FOXGLOVE @ FOXG LOV E M A R K E T ― f oxg l ove m a r ke t .c o m

The Twin Cities first exclusively local and chemical-free florist. Foxglove advocates for sustainable options that maintain the environment and create healthy homes and lives.

FROM GRASSE WITH LOVE @ F R O M _G RAS S E _W I T H _ LOV E ― grassewithlove.com

A hôtesse of imported exclusive French fragrances, home scents, and skincare products all from the birthplace of perfume, Grasse, France. All products are handmade with ingredients from this revered land and poured by trained master makers in Grasse.

GOLDEN RULE GALLERY @ G O L D E N R U L E G A L L E RY ― shopgoldenrule.com

Thoughtful pieces for you and your home - apparel, art, jewelry, and home goods. Golden Rule seeks to promote kindness, community, art and the artist, and social justice.

Wooden puzzles with playful imagery and challenging, imaginative pieces. Enjoy quality time with the people you love.

BLNCD NATURALS

HAZEL & ROSE

@ B L N C D N AT U RA LS ― b l n c d n a t u r a l s .c o m

@ S H O P H AZ E L A N D R O S E ― shophazelandrose.com

A women-owned and operated business, BLNCD Naturals creates award-winning, high-quality beauty and wellness products inspired by the therapeutic properties of plant-based ingredients, including CBD.

Beautiful, well made, sustainably made, and ethically made goods. Hazel & Rose is about recognizing that what you wear matters.

CAIT COURNEYA

HOUSER

@ CA I TCO U R N E YA ― c a i t c o u r n eya .c o m

@ S H O P H O U S E R ― s h o p h o u s e r.c o m

Gestural abstracts that explore balance, restraint, and negative space. Inspired by color, and driven by a desire to bring a sense of calm to a space, Cait strives to blend art and life together through her paintings and textile goods.

A jewelry brand and lifestyle boutique focusing on sustainability, giving back and empowering others.

The jewelry is created with unlikely combinations of gemstones, artifacts and silver and brass pieces made by hill tribe silversmiths in rural Thailand.

CARA COREY DESIGNS

ISADORE NUT COMPANY

@ CA RACO R E Y D ES I G N S ― c a r a c o reyd e s i g n s .c o m

@ I SA D O R E N U TCO ― i s a d o re n u t c o.c o m

Cara Corey Designs specializes in modern knit home goods, including blankets, baskets and more. All items are handmade and can be customized to fit your personal style.

Named after the founder’s grandfather who believed in the power of food to heal, Isadore Nut Company crafts delicious, healthy and award-winning snacks and gifts, lovingly handmade by people of all abilities.

G O L D E N R U L E G A L L E RY

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LABMPLS.COM

J.LUX

THE JEAN SHOP MPLS

@J. LUX J E W E L RY ― j l u x .c o

@T H E J EA N S H O P M P LS

Designed and made by Jen Kreilich. She uses leather, silver, brass, and other materials to create small-batch collections and occasionally one-of-a-kind pieces.

J.LUX style is inspired by a modern bohemian spirit with a sophisticated edge.

Sara Jean creates hand-painted & customized denim jackets.

She has a few designs that are ready for order, but especially loves working with people on custom creations, designed specifically for them or someone they love.

THUMBS COOKIES

JAC & VIOLET

@T H U M B S CO O K I ES ― t h u m b s c o o k i e s.c o m

@J ACA N DV I O L E T ― j a c a n d v i o l e t .c o m

Thumbs Cookies started in her mom, Barb’s, kitchen when she was a little girl. She used to bake them with her and now gets to share them with all of us! These are “Minnesota’s Cutest Cookies”!

A jewelry line of wearable art with a mixed media approach. Each piece is one-of-a-kind or very small batch made – with a thoughtful but organic design process, allowing for each piece to almost magically create itself. The result is a deliberate piece of bold self-expression.

TRUE HUE @T R U E H U E .CO ― t r u e h u e .c o

KISA KISA is a women’s lifestyle brand specializing in small batch statement pieces, curated for the bold and adventurous women of this world.

True Hue is a home fragrance company that is inspired

by Scandinavian design and the natural landscape of the land of 10,000 lakes. They seek to produce the best line of home fragrances that remind you of wandering through the forest, soaking up the sun by a cool, blue lake, and dancing in the moonlight.

LARISSA LODEN

TWIGGY FRESH

@ K I SA B O U T I Q U E ― k i s a o f f i c i a l .c o m

@ L A R I S SA LO D E N ― l a r i s s a l o d e n .c o m

Modern & minimalist jewelry basics for your everyday life, at an affordable price point. Woman-owned, community driven, and handmade.

L E S BAGS @ L ES. B AG S ― l e s - b a g s .c o m

Bags and accessories handcrafted from wool felt and waxed canvas. The bags are beautiful to look at as well as sturdy enough for daily wear-and-tear, made from high quality wool felt/waxed canvas, leather handles, and hardware.

LOUIE + HARRY @ LO U I E _ A N D_ H A R RY ― l o u i e a n d h a r r y.c o m

A modern locket born by nostalgia and inspired by adventure. Write it down. Roll it up. Tuck it inside.

A gift they can carry with them.

LOUISE GRAY @ LO U I S E G RAY_ ST U D I O ― l o u i s e g r a y.c o m

Louise Gray pays homage to the tradition of quilting by creating beautiful contemporary heirlooms. Dedicated to fostering sustainable manufacturing practices, they are proud to have each design handcrafted by local artisans.

MOLLY ERIN & ME @ M O L LY E R I N A N D M E ― m o l l ye r i n a n d m e .c o m

A mother-daughter owned online boutique featuring plant-life, vintage treasures, and art created by local artists. They are committed to supporting the Twin Cities community and strive to do their part in reducing their own carbon footprint by repurposing vintage treasures.

NICE NICE CERAMICS @ N I C E N I C E C E RA M I CS ― 6 p e a ks .c o m /n i c e n i c e

A ceramic project created by husband and wife team Johnne Law + Molly May McMahan. Specializing in functional ceramics, NICE NICE unites the worlds of digital mark making and handmade wares.

@LABMPLS

@T W I G GY. F R ES H ― t w i g g y f re s h .c o m CA I T CO U R N EYA

NORTH HOUSE AGENDA @ N O RT H H O U S EAG E N DA ― n o r t h h o u s e a g e n d a .c o m

An online retail shop that collaborates with artists and brands to design original home decor and lifestyle products.

These products are placed together in cohesive groupings which are released one beautiful collection at a time.

OPE RUNNING @ O P E R U N N I N G ― o p e r u n n i n g .c o m

High-quality running clothing that is fun to wear, kind to people & good for our planet. All of their designs are made from recycled materials, manufactured in good working conditions by workers who are treated fairly, and are free from all animal products.

An eco-friendly oral care brand, Twiggy Fresh supplies toothbrushes made of sustainable Moso bamboo, reducing plastic pollution caused by traditional toothbrushes. The natural microbial properties of bamboo make for a sustainable substitute, inspired by the ancient Miswak chewing stick.

TYANN ZEAL DESIGNS @T YA N N Z EA L D ES I G N S ― t ya n n ze a l d e s i g n s.c o m

Trendy and modern jewelry for the creative and unconventional. Each piece is handmade of polymer clay, raw brass, and semiprecious gemstones giving a noteworthy mixed-media vibe. The whimsical pieces come to life by combining geometric and organic shapes with texture, unique color palettes, and playful patterns.

WELL ROOTED TEAS @W E L L R O OT E DT EAS ― we l l ro o t e d t e a s.c o m

STILL KICKIN @ ST I L L K I C K I N CO ― s t i l l k i c k i n .c o

Still Kickin is dedicated to building empathy, encouragement and economic relief for people in need. Their benefit corporation exists to support the grant-making done through their non-profit and to create programming and merch that helps people through the hard stuff in life. #HelpAHumanOut!

STRANGER & CO. @ ST RA N G E R . A N D.CO ― s t r a n g e r a n d c o.c o m

A small, woman-owned shop focused on making high quality design accessible and fairly priced. Stranger & Co. primarily represents artists and designers who are women, people of color, LQBTQ, and immigrants. Their ethos is one of inclusion, accessibility, and visibility.

TANDEM MADE @TA N D E M M A D E ― t a n d e m m a d e .c o m

A design/build studio focusing on furniture and home goods. Tandem Made is a husband + wife duo combining their skills and interests to make work that is thoughtful, innovative and truly Tandem Made.

Herbal teas crafted with local organic herbs + foraged botanicals native to Minnesota. These infusions of herbs, roots, leaves, fruits and berries nourish the body and are grown and harvested in a manner which supports the health of our environment.

WINSOME GOODS @W I N S O M E _G O O D S ― w i n s o m e g o o d s.c o m

A clothing line focused on sustainable and ethical production and design. All of their clothing is produced locally by a small team of people. Winsome Goods has a zero-fabric waste production model in which they repurpose all textile waste generated in the studio.

WIT & DELIGHT @W I TA N D D E L I G H T_ ― w i t a n d d e l i g h t .c o m

Wit & Delight was brought to life by St. Paul-based designer, Kate Arends in 2009. What began as a lifestyle website has evolved into a brand that celebrates a combination of veracious expression and simple elegance with an approachable, yet edited point of view. With consideration to form and function, each piece designed, from stationery to tech accessories, combines effortless style with hard-working functionality.

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For the love of all things creative.

LAB is a team of women who wear many creative hats. We come to work every day because we believe

there is a better way to do things, and it begins with community. We run towards large-scale projects and events, and we love to celebrate the little things in life. We champion local brands, swoon over drool-

worthy color palettes, seek out undiscovered local gems, soak in the golden light that dances on our studio wall each afternoon. We are continually fueled by collaboration and inspired by those around us. We

love hearing about your vision, your goals, and your wildest dreams— and then helping to make these a reality. Thank you for being a part of our community. We love what we do because of you.

— the LAB Team

C R E AT I V E S E R V I C E S

WEBSITE

LABMPLS.COM

BRAND EXPERIENCES

S T U D I O R E N TA L

EMAIL

CONNECT@LABMPLS.COM

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@LABMPLS