Local Creatives Unite: A Year of LAB Talks
BY EMMA GEARY - DECEMBER 30, 2024
LAB Talks are an opportunity for community members to connect over coffee, creativity, and of course, conversation. The best part? Every LAB Talk is free and open to the public - always. This year, we covered everything from fashion to food. Grab a coffee with us and take a peek inside our favorite mornings of the year.
Inside the Wellness World with MN-Made Brands
As the beauty and wellness industry evolves to become more inclusive, sustainable, and equitable for all, these Minnesota-based entrepreneurs are the ones helping to shape a more beautiful feature for the industry. Whether it was connecting over a shared past in agriculture (who knew!) or sharing the moment they knew their product was a hit, we were honored to welcome Simone Xavier of Sigma Beauty, Lindsay Holden of Odele, Annie Litin of Welly, and Angie Tebbe of Rae Wellness to the stage in conversation with our very own Creative Director, Mollie Windmiller.
A Conversation with Clare Vivier
On a golden May evening, we gathered at Glass House for our second LAB Talk of the year, this time, for a special happy-hour-style conversation with a guest who traveled a bit further than usual to join us. We were thrilled to welcome Clare Vivier and her team from Los Angeles to join us in conversation with Mpls.St.Paul Magazine’s Madeline Nachbar, where we heard the story of how she went from growing up in St. Paul to creating the iconic Clare V. brand we (and the rest of the world) can’t get enough of. Since its inception in 2008, Clare V. pieces have been known for capturing an artful mix of laid-back Californian style with a touch of French chic, and having the MN-made designer in town for a trunk show following the conversation was icing on the cake.
Crafting Culinary Experiences
As a testament to the Twin Cities award-winning dining scene, we welcomed a panel of chefs and designers who craft some of our city’s most iconic dining experiences, inviting conversation around what it truly means to create a culinary experience, whether it's reminiscing on the DIY decor of the early days or what it means to take risks on a restaurant concept. We were joined by James Beard award-winning Christina Nguyen of Hai Hai and Hola Arepa, Aaron Wittkamper of Wittkamper Studio, and Mike Brown, the Travail Collective, moderated by Alison Arth of Salt & Roe.
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Emma Geary
Emma is the one writing it all down. She's been with LAB since 2021 and is finishing her MFA in Creative Writing in her spare time. Her favorite color right now is cobalt blue.
