Northwest Arkansas Fashion Week
With three clicks of ruby stilettos, Northwest Arkansas Fashion Week founders bring the charity dollars home. Eleven Northwest Arkansas charities will benefit from this year’s fashion extravaganza taking place March 11-16. Last year more than $35,000 was raised for local non-profits through ticket sales alone, according to fashion week founders.
Raising money is but one effect of fashion week. The event stimulates regional retail businesses, encourages potential retail stores to come to the area, and brings an unexpected stylish culture.
Jade Terminella, a co-founder of NWAFW and owner of Lola boutique, said the goal was to “create the platform to carry our message of ‘Fashion for Philanthropy. Ultimately we wanted to create a fun, unique event that inspired the culture of giving in NWA.”
Founders of the event this year hope to “hit or pass our $35,000 mark from last year,” Terminella said. Those purchasing tickets have the option to choose which charity to donate the ticket proceeds. One hundred percent of the ticket sales are donated directly to the participating nonprofits.
The money will be distributed among the following charities: Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas, Restore Humanity, Ozark Guidance, Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter, Junior League of Northwest Arkansas, The Miller McNeil Woodruff Foundation, Art Amiss, American Cancer Society of NWA, Seven Hills Homeless Center, and Spay Arkansas.
This is the second year for the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of NWA to participate.
“Single Parent Scholarship Fund of NWA is honored to be one of the charities benefitting from NWA Fashion Week,” said Joy Morris, development director of the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of NWA. “The proceeds donated will be used to provide scholarships to single parents trying to create better, brighter futures for their families through higher education,” Morris said.
After one year in existence, NWAFW donated just $5,000 less to charities than Bikes Blues & BBQ did in 2011, according to the BBB 2011 tax return. BBB started in 2000 and has given over $600,000 to local charities, according to its website.
“Raising money for charities without destroying Fayetteville for a week. There’s an idea,” said Grace Hubbart, a Fayetteville resident.
When describing the region known for the Wal-Mart stores and the Razorbacks, a stylish culture isn’t the typical description.
“In the past, when you think “fashion” you think New York, Paris, or more regionally, Dallas,” said Heather Fallen, owner of Stage28 Talent & Casting.
After two years of fashion week and the popcorn-like emergence of boutiques in the area, that may no longer be the case.
“The pre-show excitement that’s been generated, the professionalism of the production, and the fact that the event is sold out tells me that Northwest Arkansas and fashion will soon be synonymous,” Fallen said.
“It shows our local shopping scene is thriving and has potential for even more growth,” Terminella said.
VIP tickets for the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night shows sold out quickly, leaving local retail stores and designers with the impression that Northwest Arkansas residents are hungry for fashion and philanthropy.
“I went to school in NYC so now that I’m back, it’s nice that NWA now has a fashion week,” said Posey Wilson, “I’m even walking in one of the shows this year.”
NWAFW echoes the heel taps of its New York Fashion Week big sister by partnering with Mercedes-Benz of Northwest Arkansas to present the shows.
Businesses in the region sponsor the event to contribute to charity, be a part of the Northwest Arkansas fashion community, and promote their own business through the ‘Shop Local’ motto.
One of the sponsors this year is The Party House of NWA.
“I wanted to be a sponsor because I think it is a step forward for Fayetteville and for local retail business owners,” said Max Rosen, The Party House owner.
Residents in the area seem to welcome fashion week.
“It’s a great way for Fayetteville business owners to showcase their items and flare in one location to the masses,” Rosen said.
Jennifer Irwin, director of leadership and external communications at the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce said, “I think that the most important thing is that it promotes local business, reminds people of what great amenities we have here in Northwest Arkansas, and encourages everyone to shop local.”
Participating Stores and Designers:
ESQUE + Solestruck
Kata Mari
Material Collections
SOUL Yoga Lounge
UA Student Designers:
Alisa May
Caroline Delay
Tiara Hudson
Anna Taylor
Lindsey Gallagher
ARTAMISS:
Black Cherry Vintage
Good Things Boutique
Bouffants and Beehives
Artamiss/Mayapple ‘Smells like Trend Spirit’
Himalayan Mountain Shop
Joelle Storette
Phantasm by Tootlepip
Badd Jaxx
Artamiss/Mayapple ‘Apollo + Daphne/Hobo bride’
Lola + Mae’s
The Independent
Maude
Savoir-Faire
Mertins Eye Care + Optical
Bimini Butterfly
Enrich Salon + Boutique
Vintage Violet
She Said Yes bridal
Belle
Elysian + Southern Vintage
Masons
A Reflection of Brawn + Beauty
Brits & Turks
Skye on the Town
Platos Closet
Ruelle Designs
Rock City Kicks
MACA
Tutu Couture
Terra Tots + Good Things
