LITTLE ROCK — After making a splashy debut in 2009, Little Rock Fashion Week glides into its second season July 10-17.
Highlighting the events is the Young & Fabulous show, July 16 at the Robinson Center Exhibition Hall. Fashion lines from various designers and boutiques that range from everyday to urban wear will be featured. Tickets are $14. The week will culminate July 17 in the Posh Expression Show at Robinson featuring artsy, vintage and couture fashions. Tickets range from $15 for students to $35 for VIP seating. The night of each show, an expo will open at 7; the program starts at 8.
Related events range from a Way Back in the Days Party to a Music Remix Showcase to a Fashion Industry Forum. Student general admission passes are $25. For a schedule of events and to purchase tickets, visit LittleRockFashion Week.com. For more information,contact Mary Ellen Kubit at (501) 786-7909.
SWIM GEMS
Now that’s what I’m talkin’ ’bout: Women’s swimwear that doesn’t necessitate wearing a cellulite-hiding pareo and won’t get you talked about at the church swim party.
Girltrunks, in sizes 4-24, offer“comfort, versatility, style and class” to any woman who wants more coverage and less potential for embarrassment than that found in the traditional swimsuit. The tailored swim shorts ($79) combine polyamide material with mesh for quick drying and come in two lengths: Long on Short (11-inch inseam) and Meet Me in the Middle (7-inch inseam). The tankini-style tops ($59) are in two prints - tank and halter versions - and offer universal fit and bustline support. The pieces can double as street wear.
I recently tested a Girltrunks ensemble and, overall, was pleased with its look and drying speed. Note to those who are generous in the hips and “rumble seat”: You may find the shorts a bit too low a rise when sitting. If so, tuck the top in. The pieces are available online only; visit at mygirltrunks.com.
BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE
Gentlemen: How about a fragrance candle to enhance your personal dressing room? Try Nest Fragrances by Laura Slatkin’s Wild Oats and Bourbon candle ($32). The essence of bourbon is blended with wild oats and mandarin ginger for a scent you may crave as a cologne.
The candle is available at Powder & Smoke, Pleasant Ridge Shopping Center, 11525 Cantrell Road, Little Rock; Bella Boutique, 5623 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock; and online at NeimanMarcus.com and candledelirium.com. (Other Nest candles can also be found at Molly’s Paperie, 5110 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock.)
SOCKS AND MORE
Ten-year-old Swiss e-tailer Blacksocks.com, a gentleman’s “sockscription” service, is now available in North America. The site works similarly to other online clothing-by-subscription sources. Choose the socks. Figure out how often you want them sent. (Subscriptions are $62-$175.) You or your gift recipient can have Italian-made calf, knee, athletic, ski or cashmere-silk socks delivered at regular intervals.
The service also offers fine undershirts, boxer shorts, briefs and travel shave kits via online subscription. My husband tested samples of most of the aforementioned items and praised their quality, fit and comfort.
DESIGNING WOMAN
Designer and makeup artist Brandi Tate of Little Rock (who was mentored by Korto Momolu) announces Jewels-ByBNicole, the latest entity of her company, Blessed&Loved. It’s a collection of fashion jewelry available at jewels bybnicole.webs.com.
The site features only five jewelry sets and products ($30-$80) but Tate offers more items which can be viewed by clicking the photo link on the website. If there are products you’re interested in within that gallery, she will make those items available.
REVIEWS
A few more summer fashion fare items I recently tried:
The Graphic Print Tunic ($29.99-$34.99) from Avon representatives and Avon.com. The long-sleeve, split-neck, cotton spandex tunic features a blue/ multicolor print of floral-like“bursts” contained in diamond shape borders. Lime twill trim adds a finishing touch. The fabric is stiff, and y’know, the ends of those split-neck tunics just never lay quite right. But this is a handsome garment that has earned its share of compliments.
Sandals, offered in several colors apiece: Clarks “Trophy Win” (now $49.99 at Dillards.com). Available in Medium and Wide, the slide sandal features an asymmetric leather upper made of a series of nestled, right-angle straps forming a cut-out design. A 2-inch heel, leather lining and two-layer foam foot bed create its ahhh-eliciting comfort. It’s adorable, but the outer strap may be a bit snug despite elastic insets.
Naturalizer’s “Haven” Slide (about $79) and “Tipton” Sandal ($49-$59.95), available at Macys.com, Nordstrom.com, FeelGood Store.com and/or Zappos.com in narrow, medium and wide. The slightly folksy looking Haven features a thick, 2 1 /2-inch heel and 3 /4-inch platform elevating its splitstrap leather upper. The sleek Tipton is a leather sling back thong sandal with triangular upper, hook-and-loop heel strap and Velcro buckle. Both styles’ insoles feel heavenly, thanks to Naturalizer’s “N5” comfort technology. But the Haven’s outer strap is also a bit snug.
Rebels’ “Dane” Sandal (now $25.20 at Macys.com). It’s a flat thong with a cloth upper, elastic slingback strap, patent anchor straps and a grommet accent. I thought the medium width-only sandal might accommodate my wide foot due to its construction and stretching capacity. Wrong: The thong strap is painful and one of the elastic straps immediately began to separate from the anchor strap.
The June 8 column carried a brief mention of SoftSur roundings.com’s Beachy Gauze Pant ($54.95) and Soft-SurroundingsOutlet.com’s Stretch Gauze Surplice Top ($17.99), which I subsequently tried. The easy, comfy pants get a thumbs-up. The top does too, but it runs large - order a size or two down. Pieces are offered in Misses, Petite, Tall and Women’s.
Dressing Room is published biweekly. Got fashion and beauty news? Contact Helaine R. Williams, Dressing Room, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203, or e-mail:
Style, Pages 29 on 06/29/2010