Northwest Arkansas Fashion Week is on the rebound.
The event, whose first and last big production occurred in 2014, kicked off March with its "re"-debut, sporting an all-new vibe. The week began with a March 1 panel discussion and continued with a March 2 gala. (For gala coverage, see page 7D.) It culminated in The Shows, held March 3-4 at Record, an event center that was once the Benton County Daily News offices in downtown Bentonville. As stated in its program, Northwest Arkansas Fashion Week brought together the volunteer talents of 11 designers, 10 boutiques and more than 100 models, along with a host of makeup artists, hairstylists and other professionals.
Attendance at The Shows was proof that the return of this event had been much anticipated. And, as is usually the case with New York-style fashion shows, the spectators' attire was just about as noteworthy as anything sashaying down the runway. Where else would you see men wearing suits in colorful, festive floral and fireworks prints?
Yuna Lee and Allison Wise, morning anchors for KHBS/KHOG, Channels 40/29, were masters of ceremonies. Robin Wallis Atkinson, chief executive officer and creative director behind the Fashion Week reboot, also spoke each night.
The Shows' highlights included:
• The women's and men's dressy, evening and bridal looks by Fayetteville-based Aimz Designs, whose troupe of models included clients from the Elizabeth Richardson Center in Springdale. The agency provides services for Northwest Arkansas residents with disabilities.
• A host of traditional-meets-avant-garde wedding gowns from She Said Yes Bridal in Rogers, including a show-stealing floral print Lazaro ballgown with tiered petticoats and a sheer overlay.
• The G by Gavin collection of skin-revealing ensembles featuring sheer and translucent material. Think skin-tight jumpsuits with plunging necklines. An ivory gown, also with a waist-plunging neckline, and a sheer skirt ending in faux-fur-trim godets. A shimmery cocktail dress with faux-fur trim.
• "Punk princess" evening looks by designer Rosie Rose, the most prominent of which were a skull-print a-line gown and an elaborate ballgown featuring a cascading-rose motif.
• Handcrafted jean jackets and vests from RiffRaff Women's Boutique, many bearing uplifting slogans. (The jackets were auctioned on Instagram on March 5, according to the store's website.)
• Classic career designs by N.A. (Nancy) Martin, the Bentonville-based lawyer turned pencil-skirt designer, including several sleek sheaths.
• A big splash of color from Fayetteville designer Chavon Fortson. Her fall 2017 Chavon Shree line dazzled with predominantly burnt-orange pieces, rich with fringe and tassel accents -- inspired by her recent trip to Turkey.
• A gaggle of eye-drawing designs by Ashley Little of Material Concepts, including a dramatic black, costume-y ballgown; a mini dress with a floor-length, panniered overskirt and an ivory pantsuit with cape sleeves falling from prominent shoulder pads.
The goal of Northwest Arkansas Fashion Week is to provide grants and scholarships for up-and-coming designers and other fashion professionals. Organizers are planning to expand the week to two shows a year, including a fall event in Fayetteville.
ON THE HORIZON
In central Arkansas, April fashion shows promise to be as plentiful as the proverbial April showers.
• Designers Choice Fashion Preview will celebrate its 10th anniversary April 1 at Metroplex, 10800 Col. Glenn Road, Little Rock. The popular fundraiser for Timmons Arts Foundation combines fashion, music and art, with proceeds used to expose schoolchildren to the arts. Featured will be the work of Arkansas designers. Tickets are $45 for the 7:30 p.m. show only; $75 for admission to it and the 6:30 VIP reception, and are available at Luv Boutique, Vogue Visage, Rock City Kicks, Uncle T's Food Mart and soon at eventbrite.com. Email info@timmonsarts.org.
• The Passion for FashionStyle Show -- sponsored by the Horace Mann Transitional Class of 1972 to benefit the class' Edwin L. Hawkins Scholarship Program -- will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. April 9 at the Centre at University Park, 6401 W. 12th St., Little Rock. Guests will enjoy refreshments, view the latest fashion trends and find out how to jazz up an ordinary wardrobe. Tickets are $15 for individuals; $250 for a VIP table. Contact Jocelyn Anderson, (501) 580-3531, jocelyn.anderson@metroems.org; or Jackie Stewart, (501) 993-8812, Jdstewart21@yahoo.com.
• The Fashion Event, hosted by the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, will make its debut April 27 at the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub in North Little Rock. A 7 p.m. cocktail reception will precede a show that will include the creations of designer Linda Rowe Thomas and clothing from area boutiques and stores. Tickets are $75; $125 for VIP. Some proceeds will go to Partners Against Trafficking Humans. Call (501) 372-5959 or register at nlrchamber.org.
• Another benefit, Enclothe: Futuristic Floral, will take place at 8 p.m. April 28 at Fayetteville Town Center, 15 W. Mountain St. on the Fayetteville Square. Showcased will be clothing designed by juniors and seniors in the apparel merchandising and product development program in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. General admission tickets are $35; student tickets $15. Call (479) 575-5146 or email hesc@uark.edu. Proceeds will be used for student study tours.
Dressing Room now appears monthly. Send Arkansas fashion-related tips and news releases to:
hwilliams@arkansasonline.com
High Profile on 03/12/2017