A year ago, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas rolled out its Big Role Models program -- a kind of "big brother" or "big sister" offering for high school students. (A fully franchised "Big" must be 18 years old to be vetted and enrolled in the nonprofit's full-time mentoring program.) So you might call May 7's fashion runway event the Models' Big Role fundraiser.
Not that Big Brothers Big Sisters did that.
The new night was, simply, The Big Event, although it is the capstone experience for the Role Models, of whom there were two dozen in the inaugural class.
Tickets were just $50. The organization had heavy hors d'oeuvres by Dinner's Ready of Benton and fashionable drinks, and the audience watched a couple dozen models walk the runway and offer looks, poses, even "moves" to the genuinely enthusiastic spectators. The local boutiques who contributed to the event included E. Leigh's, The Label, Scarlet Clothing, Lavender and Culture Clothing. Two of the area's highest profile designers -- Korto Momolu and Linda Rowe Thomas -- contributed ensembles.
For each collection, two Role Models made their best runway walk, a little more gleeful than your customary catwalk mien. The rest of the talent were models, active or semi-retired, and represented the boutiques or the designers.
The night raised $30,000.
The teenage Big Role Models, who are asked to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters, brought another $50,000 into the nonprofit, according to development director Colleen Carr.
-- Photos and story by Bobby Ampezzan
High Profile on 05/17/2015