For Jerald Mitchell of Little Rock, it all started out as a way to save money during his days as a business major at the University of Memphis.
A new member of Kappa Alpha Psi -- a fraternity whose members are said to pride themselves on sharp dressing -- Mitchell wanted to continue to dress well to boot.
"This is when I discovered the art of thrifting," he recalls. "I would go out to different thrift stores looking for gently-used blazers and ties." He got so good at styling his purchases, his fraternity fellows began seeking sartorial advice from him.
"I saw this as an opportunity to create more income, so I gave it a shot."
The "shot" became 1297 Kustoms, an e-tailor service through which Mitchell offers bow ties for men and boys -- self-tied, pre-tied and custom -- in addition to a clothing-redesign service.
Mitchell began restyling blazers with the help of a Memphis seamstress; after returning to his hometown of Little Rock, he traveled back and forth between cities to maintain his business. "But I knew that eventually, I would have to learn how to sew on my own," he says. He went on to buy his first sewing machine, although he'd had no lessons. "A good friend of mine and I were also on the phone discussing other small sewing projects I could do for practice" -- and his bow tie business was born.
Mitchell offers the ties at his website, 1297kustoms.com. He handles all manufacturing and production of his ties, no two of which are alike. All are made to order and shipped within seven to 10 business days. Popular items include a black velvet pre-tied piece that can be worn for any formal event, along with children's bow ties featuring cartoon characters. In addition to the fabrics Mitchell offers -- he most enjoys working with silks and brocades -- customers have the option to send in their own fabrics. He cites one young promgoer who ordered a custom bow tie to be made from extra fabric from his date's dress.
Mitchell also provides custom pocket squares, wardrobe consultations, and a mail-in program that allows customers to send in their current wardrobe pieces to get a new lease on life. "Some redesigns are as simple as finding [or] adding buttons to make a blazer stand out," he says. "Others are as complicated as adding fur to the collar of a peacoat from the previous year for a new look. No idea is too far-fetched."
On Sept. 25, Mitchell -- who recently appeared on KLRT's Good Day morning news program -- will combine his craft with community service. He is seeking donations of new or gently used men's neckties or bow ties to be given to participants of Boys to Men: Self-Development & Professionalism, a workshop he's putting together for youths age 16 and older. The event, scheduled for 2-4 p.m. Sept. 25 at The First Tee of Central Arkansas, will teach participants how to tie a tie as well as cover such topics as dressing for success and resume writing. Donations of the neck pieces can be mailed to 1297 Kustoms, P.O. Box 4008, Little Rock, Ark. 72214, or dropped off until 6 p.m. Sept. 24 at The First Tee; Norris Furniture; Icons Barbershop; Skillz Barbershop/Beard'd Republic; or Mr. Suds Detailing in Little Rock.
FIRST RESORT
An early heads-up: Feinstein's, a ladies' boutique in Little Rock's Heights neighborhood, is partnering with the Arkansas Children's Hospital Auxiliary to present Lafayette 148 New York's Resort 2017 collection featuring special guest, designer Edward Wilkerson. The event will be Oct. 19 in the Great Hall of the Clinton Presidential Center. Doors open at 11 a.m. with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres awaiting guests; the show starts at noon. Afterward will be a live auction and a Lafayette 148 pop-up shop. Tickets, $148 each, are available at eventbrite.com; proceeds will benefit the David M. Clark Center for Safe and Healthy Children at Arkansas Children's Hospital.
More on the fashion show will be forthcoming in the next column.
POPPING UP FASHION
Speaking of pop-up shops, Women & Children First will present its third annual Pop Up Shop on Friday, Saturday and Sept. 11 at the former Hancock Fabrics, 7509 Cantrell Road. Inventory will consist of new and gently used designer clothing and accessories, shoes and evening wear for women and men in addition to home accessories and furniture. The fun begins with a Shop & Sip Preview Party, 5-8 p.m. Friday. Tickets, $30, include wine, hors d'oeuvres and the first chance to shop the deals. Regular sale hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday; admission is $5. Proceeds will benefit the Women & Children First domestic violence shelter. For tickets, log on to wcfarkansas.org/PopUp. To donate clothing, contact Sarah Pollack at spollack@wcfarkansas.org.
CUTTIN' UP
Rembrandt and da Vinci created some famous portraits in their day. But chances are they never thought of creating them using the medium of human hair, growing out of the canvas of a human scalp. Enter modern-day barbering -- known as much for its artistry as it is a way to maintain a well-groomed look.
Portrait cuts (celebrity images, etched via clippers and razors into clients' hair) is just one category in which more than 50 licensed barbers will compete for $10,000 in cash prizes and giveaways during Xtreme Barber Battle 4, a barbering competition to be held Sept. 18 at the Statehouse Convention Center. Presented by Multi-Razor/Layrite Products and SpaceAgeBarbers.com, the event will include an expo, open to the public and featuring vendors from throughout the United States.
Also included will be educational workshops for barbers. This year's instructors are Damon "NY Da Barber" Redding; Rick "Da People's Barber" Morin; Davida "The Clipper Cut Queen" Berry; Janarius "J-Roc Da Barber" Harris; and Jay "Doctor Jay" Davis.
The expo and workshops will be noon-4 p.m.; the competition, also open to the public, begins at 5. General admission is $25. Classes are $50. Barber battle tickets are $25 in advance, $40 at the door. Tickets for classes plus the battle are $75. VIP packages are available for $500. Tickets are available at xtremebarberbattle.com. For more information call Darrell Doss at (501) 744-6203.
Dressing Room appears monthly. Send Arkansas fashion-related tips and news releases to:
hwilliams@arkansasonline.com
High Profile on 09/04/2016