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This weekend in St. Paul style and shopping, FiveTwoSix Salon hosts a benefit for Give Us Wings that will feature a design challenge by some top local designers; plus, The Grand Hand Gallery hosts a trunk show by Karin Jacobson, Karma celebrates five years, and October deals at FiveTwoSix.

Saturday: Benefit for Give Us Wings/Design Challenge
What: This weekend, join happenin’ Salon Spa Gallery FiveTwoSix for an African-inspired runway show and fashion challenge featuring ten local designers. Their mission? To create a catwalk-ready look by using colorful African textiles straight from the volunteer organization and poverty-fighters at Give Us Wings. This weekend they have brought together inspirational design gurus including Emma Berg, Pafoua Thao of PFT Couture, Kimberly Jurek and more for a fancy runway event. On top of that, there will be a cutesy boutique for your browsing, tons of tunage, delish drinks from Solo Vino and Summit, snacks from Café Latte, Cheeky Monkey and Café 128, and emcee/celeb hairstylist Faatemah Ampey. -Lauren Gantner
When: 7–10 p.m. Saturday, October 23.
Where: FiveTwoSix Salon Spa Gallery, 526 Selby Ave., St. Paul, 651-222-3839, 526salon.com

Saturday & Sunday: Karin Jacobson Trunk Show
What: Minneapolis jewel-smith Karin Jacobson is bringing her fall collection of glittering, sleek line of gems to the Grand Hand Gallery all weekend. Her latest collection combines her usual silver and semi-precious gems with new pieces featuring touches of leather and recycled gold. In addition, she is launching her latest bridal collection – perfect for all you soon to be brides. Regardless of your budget, there’s something for everyone here. -Lauren Gantner
When: Saturday, October 23 & Sunday, October 24.
Where: The Grand Hand Gallery, 919 Grand Ave., St. Paul, 651-312-1122, thegrandhand.com, superkarin.com

Saturday: Karma 5 Year Anniversary
What: To celebrate five years of business, St. Paul shop Karma is offering 25 percent off your entire purchase all day, including sale merchandise.
When: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, October 23.
Where: Karma, 867 Grand Ave., St. Paul, 651-291-1997, karmashops.com

October Promotions at FiveTwoSix
What: Every month, St. Paul salon FiveTwoSix – which was recently named one of the top 100 salons in America by Elle Magazine – has tons of ways to keep you pretty with great deals and promos. This month, they’re offering a complimentary Acupressure service with any facial or Microzone treatment ($20 value); a free 4 oz. Bumble & Bumble hairspray with a Messy or Dressy production collection purchase; free makeup touch-ups from Smashbox Cosmetics after any hair or spa appointment; and if you refer three people to your stylist, you’ll receive a free haircut, and they’ll receive a complimentary Bumble & Bumble product. -Jahna Peloquin
When: Through October.
Where: 526 Selby Ave., St. Paul, 651-222-3839, 526salon.com

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Lady Gaga is bringing her over-the-top stage show to St. Paul for a whopping two-night stand at the Xcel Energy Center on Monday and Tuesday. Little monsters, it’s time to get geared up for a Capital City night of epic proportions!

Lady Gaga's Monster Ball tour

A Night of (Little) Monster Proportions

After the shows on Monday and Tuesday nights, you have plenty of opportunities to party. First hit up the Lady Gaga after parties at Camp Bar happening both nights after the concert. (There will be happy hour specials for ticket holders before the concert, too.) Expect a Gaga-rific soundtrack and hot dance floor, drinks specials galore (including a $5 Gaga-tini all day and a dollar off anything else with your ticket stub, 2-4-1s on taps and rails from 4-6 p.m. and midnight-2 a.m.), plus tons of people-watching opportunities! (490 Robert St. N., St. Paul, 651-292-1844, camp-bar.net‎)

At that point, you’ll probably want to make a night of it and stay at one of St. Paul’s many hotel options – but the only one fit for a queen of Gaga’s stature is the historic Saint Paul Hotel. Hang out in their swanky hotel bar or hop over to the Saint Paul Grill located within the building. Take in the decadent architecture and accoutrements, as well as the impossibly glorious view. (Saint Paul Hotel, 350 Market St., St. Paul, 651-292-9292‎, www.saintpaulhotel.com)

If you still haven’t gotten tickets, there are still a few available for the Tuesday night show. Tickets are priced from $51.50 to $177 at Ticketmaster, livenation.com, the Xcel box office and 1-800-359-2525.

Local Connection

Emma Berg's Lady Gaga jacket sketch

The Xcel Energy Center usually gives its visiting celebs and performers a Wild hockey jersey or something similar, but in the case of Lady Gaga, they’ve gotten a bit more creative.

The Xcel has commissioned local fashion designer Emma Berg to create a custom, one-of-a-kind fashion piece for the pop icon and we can’t think of a better match. Berg’s own distinctive, over the top personal style and fashion design skills make her a natural choice for such a project. The piece (pictured in the above sketch) will be a white swing-style jacket with a tall collar, in white satin with black and pink accents, inspired by the state flower: the ladyslipper.

Dress the Part

A Gaga superfan (Via TheMidwasteland.com)

Gaga’s show-goers are known to really go all out when it comes to their outfits. Though you probably can’t afford her custom couture or designer swag, you can find ways to DIY if you’re creative.

Hot Topic has a knockoff version of Lady Gaga’s Jeremy Scott/Linda Farrow flip-glasses she wore in the “Paparazzi” video for only $12.99. Or get some big flat-top shades and glue on a bunch of gems for her The Fame cover album look. Claire’s and For Love 21 have lace bunny ears, akin to Gaga’s Maison Martin Margielas, for under $10. (Or you can make your own.)

Gaga's Viva Glam! lipstick

Bold hair and makeup is a Gaga trademark. Dye your hair in pink or yellow streaks like Gaga’s via Manic Panic hair dyes – or wrap them up in makeshift Diet Coke can curlers a la the “Telephone” video. You can still nab her powdery pink Viva Glam! lipstick at MAC for about $15.

Big shoes are a must. Try Forever 21 or Heartbreaker for some platform shoes – or hit up Hot Topic for some goth monsta-stompas. If you are really daring, take a trip to the local stripper store for some sky-high pumps. Sounds scandalous, but you really aren’t going to get taller shoes anywhere else.

DIY Gaga studded jacket

Entrepreneurial spirits will want to craft their own Gaga goods. Buy a cheap faux-leather cropped motorcycle-style jacket (Forever 21 has one for $34.80) and hot-glue on your own studs (which you should be able to find at any craft store).

Underneath, a glittery, shiny or see-through bodysuit will do – and try layering tights or leggings underneath if you’re feeling a bit body-conscious. American Apparel is the obvious go-to for bodysuits, but they’re popping up everywhere lately, from Urban Outfitters to Hot Topic to Forever 21.