DRESSING ROOM

Divas Dressing Darlings make giving fashionable

Children model for an intimate audience that includes participating designers, parents  and other fashion purveyors and watchers  at Compassion Fashion's Divas Dressing Darlings, a "sewing soiree" held June 8, 2014, at Vibes Unlimited Recording Studio in Bryant.
Children model for an intimate audience that includes participating designers, parents and other fashion purveyors and watchers at Compassion Fashion's Divas Dressing Darlings, a "sewing soiree" held June 8, 2014, at Vibes Unlimited Recording Studio in Bryant.

Meredith Corning, director of events and public relations for Compassion Fashion Events & Design, decided to to do something a little more than collect handmade dresses for African girls in need, incorporate them into other fashion shows she produces, and then ship them off.

So she hosted the first Divas Dressing Darlings Sewing Soiree on June 8 at Vibes Unlimited Recording Studio in Bryant. The event was a showcase for the fourth annual Divas Dressing Darlings sewing campaign, sponsored by Compassion Fashion and featuring a group of fashion designers and sewing volunteers who make and donate the dresses.

The intimate, invitation-only event included a fashion shoot by campaign photographer Bobby Haws. Afterward, parents of the young models, along with several designers and other guests, enjoyed a light dinner and a short fashion show featuring the dresses.

The total count for this year's campaign was 96 dresses, according to Corning. Designers included Sheila Scott (N'chole Feroce), Shamirra Clark (Richie Clark Clothing), Edward Coleman (Edward S. Coleman Designs), Chavon Sewell (Chavon Shree), Shonda Ali-Shamaa (LOVE R.O.C.S.), Angela McKenzie-Smith (AnJanell), Natasha Rawls (NaJo Creations), Cathy Hill, Nancy Tucker and Nichelle Terry. On June 30, their dresses were shipped to Hope 4 Kids International (hope4kidsinternational.org).

Designers will be sewing dresses on their own time from now through March, the tentative deadline for the 2015 campaign, Corning says. For more information about Divas Dressing Darlings, contact Corning at info@compassionfashionevents.com.

Ode to Joyo

As a lover of bold, off-the-beaten-path jewelry pieces, I've become a fan of Joyo Laser Cut Designs, a line of eye-catching, handmade cuffs, necklaces and earrings. These lightweight but durable pieces are made from real cherry, walnut and birch wood and feature various geometric patterns ... "uniting the soft, natural look of wood with the edgy and on-trend fashion of modern design." Jenn Liddiard created the line in 2012 by combining her loves for graphic design and jewelry making. She draws inspiration from architecture, history, museums, and nature for her designs, which she personally laser cuts, sands and assembles.

I'm rocking the Leaves Cuff ($65), which comes in brushed or matte-black aluminum, and whose cherry wood or walnut overlay features a cut-out scattering of leaves. It's lined in ultrasuede for comfort. Other noteworthy pieces include Bound Earrings ($45), which were inspired by ancient bridge building techniques, made from laser-cut birch wood and featuring 14k gold ear wires; and the "vintage-gone-modern" Metropolis Necklace ($45), an art-deco-inspired style. Located near Boston, Joyo can be visited online at shopjoyo.us.

Healthful beauty

I recently became acquainted with Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, sold at Advanced Aesthetics in Little Rock.

The clinic has been selling the line about 15 years -- ever since it began with just a pressed powder, says Vicki Vick, clinic director. "We can put it on a patient right after a procedure, because it's inert" -- no chemicals, no fillers. "It is a pure mineral. Even people who can't wear color can wear this, because [it contains] no dye."

The line is named for its president and founder. Iredale was a talent agent who came up with the line in 1994 to help actor clients who had bad skin reactions from theatrical makeup. Recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation (skincancer.org), the line calms the skin, doesn't result in break-outs and even helps with redness, Vick says. "It's just incredible."

Products include the PurePressed Base Mineral Foundation ($52) and Amazing Base Loose Mineral Powder ($44). A few sample products with which I've been dabbling include PurePressed Eye Shadow Triple ($28), a collection of shadow trios; Longest Lash Thickening and Lengthening Mascara ($33), poised to make lashes look naturally thicker and longer, housed in a unique squeezable tube and equipped with an oversize brush to help separate and define lashes; PureLash LashExtender & Conditioner ($17.50), designed to strengthen, lengthen and thicken lashes when applied as a single coat under the mascara; and Jelly Jar Gel Eyeliner ($28), good for defined or smudgy lines.

Other items I'm trying include Lip Fixation ($30), a stain and and overlay gloss in complementary colors; LipDrink SPF 15 Lip Balm, a citrusy balm with a sun protection factor of 15; and Just Kissed lip plumper ($25), which I really like. Containing mint, ginger shea butter, "special peptides" and other goodies, and offering sun protection, it features shades named for notable cities around the globe. (I'm trying Tokyo, a shimmery cinnabar red.) For more information, visit janeiredale.com. To buy, visit Vick at Advanced Aesthetics, 9500 Kanis Road, Suite 503, (501) 537-0130.

Support systems

Hate wearing your work bra to schlep to Wal-Mart or walk the dog but don't want to force yourself into that iron-maiden sports bra either? Playtex's new Play bra collection should be a good fit. The collection includes five casual styles that keep the wearer comfortable ... and supported. Playtex Play bras feature patented shape-to-fit technology that provides flexibility and custom shaping for all-day comfort; a TruSupport system; cushioned, adjustable, convertible straps; and All Day Dry fabric that wicks away moisture.

The collection includes the OutGoer, an underwire bra with lightly padded cups and wide front-adjustable straps with limited stretch; and four wire-free styles: the Funwinder, a seamless-knit bra that also bears lightly padded cups; the OutBounder, a high-cut bra that provides extra coverage; the Ultitasker, which purveys extra stability and shaping via extra side support; and the Zip Zip Hurray, with its front-zip design that locks in place for easy on/off security and its strappy back design that smooths. Alpha sizes S -- 2XL encompass cup-and-band bra sizes from 36B to 42DD/44D. Speaking from recent experience, I'd bet that new wearers will wonder where these bras have been all their lives. And they won't restrict them to leisure and errand-running activities.

Playtex Play bras are available at such outlets as Kohl's, J.C. Penney and Onehanesplace.com. Suggested retail price is $39; I recently noticed some online sales for as low as half off. For more information, visit Playtexfits.com.

Wearable charity

This month, Men's Wearhouse (with locations in Little Rock, North Little Rock and Jonesboro) and Joseph Abboud are having the seventh annual National Suit Drive. Consumers are asked to donate gently used professional attire (men's and women's suits, shirts, jackets, ties, pants, belts and shoes) to distribute to more than 180 partner nonprofits that prepare men and women to enter the workplace through job readiness programs and workforce assistance.

Men's Wearhouse will provide a coupon for 50 percent off a future purchase to each participating donor; the chain will also make a monetary donation of $1 (up to $20,000) to the drive cause for every new Twitter and Instagram follower, and for each use of the #giveasuit hashtag across their social media channels. For more information and success stories, visit menswearhouse.com.

Got fashion and beauty news? Contact Helaine R. Williams, Dressing Room, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203, or email:

hwilliams@arkansasonline.com

High Profile on 07/20/2014

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