DRESSING ROOM

'Razorbags' augment D&B college collection

Ashayla Burnett of eStem Public Charter School in Little Rock shows off a dress she designed from garbage bags. Burnett took second place and got a $2,500 scholarship in Thea Foundation’s second Fashion Design Scholarship Competition.
Ashayla Burnett of eStem Public Charter School in Little Rock shows off a dress she designed from garbage bags. Burnett took second place and got a $2,500 scholarship in Thea Foundation’s second Fashion Design Scholarship Competition.

"OMG, D&B does WPS!" (Translated: "Oh my gosh! Dooney & Bourke does Wooo, Pig! Sooey!")

That was colleague Jennifer Christman's reaction upon learning that Dooney & Bourke, leading designer of fine handbags, has included University of Arkansas Razorbacks purses in its 15-school Collegiate Collection. Fans can show their school spirit and still be in style with the white, Hogs-emblazoned NCAA Arkansas bags, which feature the logo printed on coated canvas with bridle leather trim and gold-plated hardware. The bags come in six styles, including the Large Slim Wristlet ($88); the crescent-shaped Hobo Shoulder Bag ($218); and the Satchel ($248). Jennifer's game-day recommendation, which she tested out, is the smart, tailgate-friendly Triple Zip Crossbody bag ($128). It's sleek but still large enough to hold one's essentials -- phone, money, cards, sunglasses, lipstick, keys -- in three zippered compartments with a sturdy red fabric interior. Wearing the slim bag leaves hands free for eating, drinking and Hogs-calling, not to mention it eliminates the need to put a white bag down on scummy stadium and bar floors. For more information -- dooney.com/collegiate/arkansas-razorbacks.

photo

Shelby Barnhill models a corn-husk dress designed by Lindsey Higgs (right) of Hazen High School. Higgs took first place and received a $4,000 scholarship in Thea Foundation’s second Fashion Design Scholarship Competition, held March 14.

More bag matters

Speaking of handbags, it also seems 'tis the season for the backpack purse, whose return "designers and celebrities alike have warmly welcomed ... to their must-have accessories list," according to a news release from TV-shopping network QVC. I haven't been a big fan of backpacks as purses and figured I was too old to rock one anyway, but I decided to try one of QVC's least "backpack-y"-looking selections: The Emma & Sophia Smooth Leather Zip Flap Backpack ($129.75). Offered in four solid colors and a paisley print, it looks like a tall, tapered-top saddle-style bag in front, with a single traditional handle and the curved, zip-top magnetic flap doubling as an extra compartment. Backpack straps are in the rear. I didn't expect the style to grow so rapidly on me. I actually carry the bag on my back as well as on one shoulder. Yet more backpack bag styles are offered at QVC.com or by calling (800) 345-1515.

Yet more ...

Handbags will be the fashion item featured at Purse-onal Stories at Esse Purse Museum, 1510 S. Main St., the latest event in Little Rock's Fashion Footprints series. This series is a collaboration between the Capital Hotel, Esse Purse Museum, Oxford American magazine and designer Linda Rowe Thomas. Purse-onal Stories will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and include a tour of the museum, refreshments and shopping. Guests are encouraged to take heirloom handbags or wallets with family connections and be recorded sharing their purse tales at a "confessional." Tickets are $35 at eventbritecom.

Nicole!

Fashion designer Nicole Miller will be in Little Rock on Tuesday and Wednesday -- for a trunk show at Dillard's and as featured speaker for the 26th annual Bolo Bash benefiting Baptist Health Medical Center. Tuesday's VIP trunk show will be 2-4 p.m. at Dillard's Park Plaza. Customers can meet the designer, view pieces from her spring collection and receive a leather tote with any purchase of $300 or more. Miller will also appear at a private Bolo Bash reception Tuesday evening, then speak at the main event on Wednesday: an 11 a.m. silent auction and noon luncheon in the J.A. Gilbreath Conference Center, Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock. Tickets are $50 for the reception, whose details will be announced only to attendees. The luncheon is $150. Contact Jamie Deason at (501) 202-1827 or jamie.deason@baptist-health.org.

Prom aid

Eternal Grace Out-reach Ministry and Girl Scout troops No. 1302 and No. 1307 in Pine Bluff are accepting donations of new and gently used gowns, shoes and other accessories for distribution during prom season to girls in need. "Our mission is to make sure that no junior high or high school girl be denied the opportunity to attend her school dance because she cannot afford a prom dress," organizers state in a news release. Unused makeup and men's suits will also be accepted. For more information contact the Rev. Tonya Boyce at (870) 872-2057; or Regina VonTungeln at (870) 540-5052. (Distribution information will be announced later.)

What goes around

With Earth Day soon upon us, it's no surprise that fashion competitions featuring clothing made from recycled materials have dotted the event calendar.

• Little Rock Fashion Week announces the first Re-Fashion Bash, to be hosted in Saline County on Saturday at the Benton Event Center, 17322 Interstate 30. Doors open at 5 p.m.; the show starts at 6.

The show will consist of recycled fashions by Saline County students. First-, second- and third-place prizes up to $500 will be awarded the top designers. Students will be mentored by professionals including designers Lacie Cupani and Treva "DivaStyl" Burns, who will show off their recyclable fashions. Following the show will be a Recycled Art Showcase hosted by the Saline County Youth Environmental Ambassadors. Tickets are $5 in advance at the Saline County Regional Solid Waste Management District, 114 W. Sevier St. in Benton. They'll be $10 at the door. Call Tiffany Dunn at (501) 776-2533.

• Congratulations to Lindsey Higgs of Hazen High School. Higgs' dress of corn husks took first place and got her a $4,000 scholarship at Thea Foundation's second Fashion Design Scholarship Competition. Higgs and other young fashion designers from across Arkansas competed March 14 under guidelines dictating they use 75 percent recycled materials in their creations. Ashayla Burnett of eStem Public Charter School in Little Rock took second place and a $2,500 scholarship for a dress made of garbage bags.

• Some of the Thea competitors will also show their work at Curbside Couture, an annual eco-friendly fashion show held at 7 p.m. April 12 (doors open at 6) in the Great Hall of the Clinton Presidential Center. Admission is free. Here, too, students will display their creative skills in turning trash into treasures. Contestants are divided into high school, middle school and elementary school groups, with cash prizes up to $500 to be given first-, second- and third-place winners.

Upscale resale

Shop My Closet -- whose motto is "selling style with purpose" -- opened March 14 for year-round business. The store, a project of Go Near Ministry, offers high quality, gently used women's clothing, bags, shoes, jewelry and other accessories. Proceeds will benefit widows and orphans in Kenya, along with other charities.

"I have been passionate about reselling people's excess for God's work," says Melody Taylor of Go Near Ministry. "Our culture has so much that we don't need."

The store includes such items as purses and shoes for $5; dresses and coats for $10. There's a formal dress section with dresses priced at $10-$15. Shop My Closet also has jewelry made by women in one of Go Near's ministries: the James 127 Foundation training Center in Kenya. Money collected from the Jimani jewelry collections and James 127 Foundation pieces goes directly back into programs for the women. Shop My Closet is next to Companions in the Pinnacle Creek Retail Center, 14810 Cantrell Road. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 10-4 on Saturday.

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 04/05/2015

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