Fashion Week Minnesota Features Local Brand Sota Clothing
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – September 23 is the first official day of fall, which means WCCO This Morning can now officially talk fall fashion.
It's Fashion Week Minnesota all this week, and Wednesday's event, FWMN-HOMME, is at the MUSE Event Center. It features Sota Clothing, which is perfect for the guy who is looking for something that screams "Minnesota" men's wear.
WCCO This Morning's Ali Lucia recently visited the small Lowry Hill show room of Sota Clothing.
The founder, Spencer Johnson, grew up in Eden Prairie and never thought this would be his career after college. He made the Sota Clothing graphic during a design class at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
"After working on it, doing the branding and designs for the shirt I presented it to the class. They asked afterwards if I was actually going to do it. I thought, 'Well, I already did all the work. Why not?'" Johnson said.
He said right now his "Sota" hats are the most popular.
Spencer's bright business idea has now turned into a family affair. He recently hired both of his sisters. Now, he's banking on Minnesota brands continue to be important to consumers.
He's also a very good photographer and believes his love for the lens has helped his business grow.
"I'll photograph people from Minnesota wearing the shirts and kind of show their lifestyle in the shirt," Johnson said. "That usually brings the shirt or that graphic to the next level."
His brand is what you would expect: T-shirts, mugs, baseball shirts. He said a lot of people are really interested in the story behind the product.
For this fall/winter season, he's working on some sweaters and sweat-shirts with the Minnesota theme.
His company is just one of many that will be featured tonight at the HOMME event. FWMN-HOMME is produced by Sarah Edwards, who really has been instrumental in the entire Fashion Week.
It's all a chance for you to check out other local brands with that Minnesota twist.
