LITTLE ROCK — The Statehouse Convention Center was the setting Aug. 15 for the Little Rock Fashion Week Couture Show, the culmination of the firstever event.
The week began Aug. 12 with a VIP Launch Party and also included an Aug. 13 collection drive at Watershed Human and Community Development Agency and an Aug. 14 show, the Young and Fabulous Show.
Co-hosted by MTV's Sway Calloway and Beth Hunt of KATV, Channel 7, the Couture Show drew about 600 guests. Queen V, air personality for radio station KHTE-FM, "Hot" 96.5, held videotaped interviews with attendees on the red carpet outside the entrance.
Fall '09 fashions were shown by Jeante' One of One, RK Collections, Romas by Linda Rowe Thomas, Lads and Ladybugs, Diamond Designs by Maurice Adams, Najo by Natasha Rawls, Untitled NYC by Mike Stallings of New York, Barbara Jean Ltd. and Christopher Youngstar featuring Vertige lingerie. One segment, a Michael Jackson tribute, featured several songs including "Billie Jean," with models showing coordinating men's and women's attire.
Heather Brown, an air personality for radio station KLAL-FM, "Alice" 107.7, awarded the Little Rock Fashion Week Icon award to Arkansas-born celebrity stylist Kevin Sanders of New York. Entertainment was providedby Little Rock R&B artist Jay Jamerson and Fayetteville band Pretty Boy Convoy.
Among the guests, models and Fashion Week staff and vendors were Christopher Rawls, Mariya Wright and her mother, Theresa Baker, Mia Robinson, Bennu, Obrennan Moss, Lauren Scott, Nolita Arnold, Jasmine Kelsey, Alex Knod, Paula and Wayne Knod, Mattox Knod, Kristen Morris, Erin Golden, Carie Golden, Lindsey Clark, Melinda Black, Carrie Dudley, Angela B. Ellington, Monterica Taylor, Martel D. Campbell, Phanie Wicks, Qualenta Forrest, Antonio Jordan, Lindsey Blakley, Tanya Esaw, Lakeesha Akins, Carmen Parks, Jeron Marshall, Angela Burt, Amari Brooks, Ruth Shrable of Viola and Brian Sanders of Fayetteville.
Little Rock Fashion Week shows and afterparties attracted nearly 1,600 people, according to event founder Brandon D. Campbell. Campbell hopes to parlay the week into a recurring event comparable to fashion week events in major cities.
High Profile, Pages 36 on 08/23/2009