Sure, chances are it won't be cool enough to rock fall fashion around here until mid-to-late October, but especially since the official "summer" season is only several weeks long (weren't the kids just getting out of school?), it's time to give a nod to fall fashion.
Here are five of the most prominent fall 2018 trends -- with comments:
• Yea for animal print. Pretty much a perennial favorite for fall.
• Mad for plaid. Um, sure. Just make sure you throw a coordinating solid in somewhere and leave mixed plaids on the runway.
• Not the last roundup: Western looks will abound -- '80s Western, some specify. (As much as I was into prairie skirts when they came out in the '80s, I don't care to return.)
• Back to the future: Remember everybody swearing off linebacker shoulder pads? Well, it's not just via Western looks that the 1980s -- the decade of "We Are the World" and Mary Lou Retton -- is returning. The big, padded shoulders, neon clothing pieces and other bold details are back.
• Red. (Yes!) Pink. (Cool!) Red and pink worn together. (Ooooookay.)
Other notable trends: Leather; fancy fringe, capes, neons, tweeds.
NWA FASHION WEEK
The Northwest Arkansas Fashion Week organization has been keeping up with its mission to do fall and spring shows, and that's a good thing.
Its second annual Fashion Week fall shows will take place Sept. 20-22 at Drake Field, 4500 S. School Ave. (aka U.S. 71) in south Fayetteville, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and the shows beginning at 7:15.
New additions to Fashion Week include The Idle Class magazine's Black Apple Awards, an annual online voting competition that honors Arkansas artists in 26 categories; and the Arkansas Arts & Fashion Forum Student Designer Showcase. This showcase will come through the Arkansas Arts & Fashion Forum Educational Pilot Program, a series of student opportunities and educational programs made possible by a grant from the Walton Family Foundation.
The schedule:
• Sept. 20 -- The Idle Class Black Apple Awards, featuring designer Rosie Rose (Prairie Grove), 2017 winner; musical guests and special performances. Also on tap will be the Student Designer Showcase featuring the lines Dasia Rose, Robbie's Era and SkyBlue by Abby Alba with Arkansas Fashion School; and Sara Wilson, Jam and Cottonistas with the University of Arkansas Apparel Merchandising and Product Development program.
• Sept. 21 -- Runway shows, featuring: A. Brook's Designs and Apparel (Fayetteville); Exclusive Company (Fayetteville); MarleyMack Unique Boutique & Gifts (Fayetteville); Felix Bui (Austin); Don Morphy (Dallas); Elizabeth Koerner (Bentonville); Fox Trot Boutique (Fayetteville); Damned 2 Divine (Fayetteville); Hubbard Clothing Co. (Fayetteville/Bentonville); and Inkjnk featuring Gean Lee (Bentonville).
• Sept. 22 -- Runway shows, featuring: Richie Clark Clothing (Little Rock); christianMicheal (Kansas City, Mo., area); Herron Hats (Little Rock); ALyece Lenae Designs (Little Rock); Hubbard Clothing Co. (Fayetteville/Bentonville); RGene featuring O'Faolain (Little Rock); Ellen Elaine (Fayetteville); 22nd Element Clothing & Accessories (Little Rock); and Korto Momolu (Little Rock).
Tickets are $25-$90 Sept. 20; $30-$150 each night Sept. 21-22. For tickets and more information, visit nwafw.com.
POP GO THE FASHIONS
The fifth annual Pop Up Shop, the sale of gently used (and some new) upscale clothing and more benefiting domestic-violence shelter Women & Children First, will pop up from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 14-15 near the food pavilion at Outlets of Little Rock, 11201 Bass Pro Drive. A $5 admission fee allows access to a wonderland of women's and men's designer clothing, jewelry, designer handbags, shoes, evening gowns, home accessories and furniture, all donated by the city's most distinguished boutiques and their clients and offered for greatly reduced prices. Jimmy Choo, Valentino, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and Burberry are just a few of the featured labels.
Kicking off the Pop Up Shop will be a "Shop & Sip" Preview Party, 5-8 p.m. Sept. 13. Tickets are $35 and include wine, hors d'oeuvres, and the first chance to shop the deals. All proceeds from the event support Women & Children First. For tickets and more information, visit wcfarkansas.org.
GET RICK OR DIE TRYIN'
William Leonard Roberts II, the epic-bearded, Grammy-nominated rapper/entrepreneur known as Rick Ross, has stepped up to help guys take care of their own beards and coifs via his new line, Rich by Rick Ross. The line consists of Luxury Beard Oil, Shampoo, Conditioner, Hair & Body Wash, Styling Gel, Shaving Cream, Aftershave Balm, Classic Pomade and Strong Styling Wax. Every product contains "The Boss Experience," composed of champagne extract that helps to remove impurities, repair and rejuvenate damaged hair and reduce hair loss; caviar extract to fortify, moisturize and provide anti aging and UV-protectant benefits to hair and skin; and cannabis seed oil to help calm, soothe, plump and hydrate. The Luxury Shaving Cream and Aftershave also include Kona coffee to help improve the skin's appearance.
Despite wearing a bald cut and being clean-shaven most times, my husband tried samples of some of the Rich products and remarked at how soft his skin felt even hours afterward. Which is only fitting, considering these ingredients. Rich by Rick Ross is available for $12.99-$15.99 at Sally Beauty Supply stores and at Richbyrickross.com.
SOMEBODY SAY ANTI-AGING?
The Mileo Elixir Oud is a four-piece collection of aromatic face oils containing "the most precious extract on earth -- 100-year-old Oud resin, originating from agarwood" and said to contain the oomph that can "combat every sign of age." Every bottle contains 3,000 flowers for effective results.
The line is named for founder Matthew Mileo, who wanted to come up with a skin care line "that would prove to the world that pure can be powerful," and discovered oud to help do just that. The collection consists of: Labyrinthe Vert (French violet leaf, magnolia blossom and zdravets flower to clarify, firm and soothe); Maroc D'Azur (Moroccan blue tansy flower, white camellia and osmanthus to nourish, plump and comfort); Amber Fort (Indian pink lotus flower, roselle hibiscus and frangipani to brighten, strengthen and protect); and Monte D'Oro (Corsican golden immortelle flower, retinol-rich cacay and golden champaca to repair, lift and revitalize). Each "flavor" comes in two sizes: $50-$75 for .34-ounce bottles, $150-$250 for 1-ounce bottles.
My facial skin went from oily-enough-to-run-a-car in youth to its current state of slightly oily in the summer to how-dry-I-am in the winter, so I tried a sample of the Labyrinthe Vert -- said to help with both oiliness and dryness as well as blemishes, lines and wrinkles -- and am a fan of the product's essential-oil scent as well as the balanced texture it provides.Visit mileonewyork.com.
Send Arkansas fashion-related tips and news releases to:
hwilliams@arkansasonline.com
High Profile on 09/02/2018