LITTLE ROCK — A Fitting Image, 9816 N. Rodney Parham Road in Little Rock, will participate in Brides Across America, a nationwide military wedding gown giveaway. The event will be held during regular store hours Nov. 10-11.
“Brides Across America was born on a realization that our country needs to do more to support our troops and their families,” according to information at the website for the initiative (bridesacrossa merica.com). A Fitting Image will prepare a select number of gowns in various sizes, to be given away on a first-come, first-served basis. To qualify:
A woman must be engaged, or have had a civil ceremony and be planning a wedding within the next 18 months.
Either she or her fiance must have been deployed within the past five years to Iraq or Afghanistan, and have not had a formal wedding; or, she or her fiance must be on active duty and be deploying to Afghanistan or to a war zone territory.
All military brides must bring adriver’s license or military identification. They must also bring papers stating the time and location of deployment for them or their fiances. Call the store at (501) 223-2533 or visit afittingimagelr.com.
CUSTOMIZE IT
Attention, Northwest Arkansas readers: Are you looking for a good alterations expert? Check out The Sewing Studio in Holiday Island just north of Eureka Springs. Andre Williams, the owner, has been sewing in Northwest Arkansas nearly 30 years and does all types of clothing repair and alterations,from wedding gowns to blue jeans.
“I’ve observed over the years how difficult it is for older women to find their niche in fashion without looking matronly or too youngish,” Williams told me during a recent e-mail exchange. “Special occasion dresses ... seem to be the worst to shop for. ... I stay busy altering a ‘make do’ outfit to make it special, or creating modesty modifications.”
The Sewing Studio is located in No. 3 Parkwood, Suite E, and open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call (479) 253-2715.
OPEN FOR BUSINESS
Two more shopping venues have opened in the Little Rock metroplex recently.
Plato’s Closet, the resale apparel-and-accessories chain geared toward teens and young adults, celebrated its grand opening Oct. 5 at 2621 Lakewood Village Drive, North Little Rock. A reminder/revision of previously published buying standards: Plato’s closet accepts new or gently used, name-brand casual coats, purses, shoes, belts and jewelry (no business or evening attire) for young men and women ages 13-28. Items must be no older than 18 months to 2 years. Not welcome: Anything with stains. Or anything with rips or tears that are not supposed to be there (fashionably distressed jeans are OK). For more information, call (501) 753-8560.
Anthropologie, purveyor of clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories, introduced its first Arkansas store Oct. 8 at The Promenade at Chenal, 17725 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock. The store’s merchandise ranges from vintage to global. Hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday; and noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Call (501) 821-5228.
ONCE MORE FOR THE CAUSE
Breast Cancer Awareness Month ends Sunday, but there’s still time to gather some good BCA products. Fifty percent or more of the proceeds from these particular products are being used for breast cancer awareness, treatment and prevention.
The Dermelect Cosmeceuticals Makeover Ridge Filler ($18 at dermelect.com). All proceeds from October sales will be donated to the Young Survival Coalition, a New York-based charity that supports young women facing breast cancer. The glossy, pink color conceals nail imperfections while treating them with protein, vitamins and moisture. It strengthens weak nails and restores moisture to increase their flexibility.
Jewelry by designer Lois Hill. BreastCancer.org will receive up to 50 percent of the sale proceeds from a collection by Hill, who fashions sterling silver pieces using various techniques. The collection ($98-$228) was created in honor of Hill’s mother and sister-in-law, both breast cancer survivors, and includes necklaces, cuffs and earrings that incorporate the breastcancer logo. It’s available at BreastCancer.org. (Click on “About us”; then “gift shop”; then “jewelry.”)
The Japanese Peony Moisturizing Body Lotion ($24 at redflower.com). All profits will be donated to Cancer and Careers. The all-natural product is biodegradable. (Cancer and Careers provides a comprehensive website, free publications, and a series of support groups and educational seminars for working women with cancer.)
Items by Avenue.com. Customers can chose from two limited-edition products benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure: Ribbons for the Cure Sock, a 2-pair pack of knit socks featuring the Komen for the Cure Running Ribbon logo ($4.50) and a Hope Charm Bracelet ($7.90). Komen gets $3 for every sock set sold; $5 for every bracelet sold.
REVIEWS
A couple more Avon items,available via independent consultants and Avon.com:
The Amazing Scarf ($19.99). It’s a polyester/acrylic blend scarf with metallic threads, pleated, with fringe at ends. The multicolored zigzag-patterned scarf is 68 inches long, tapering some in the middle. It’s not the most expensive looking, but is attractive. It can accessorize a sweater or coat or add a bit of a bohemian flair when worn as a wrap over a cocktail or evening dress.
A good match for the scarf: Avon’s Zip Up Bag in “purple passion” ($34.99). The lined satin-y and roomy drawstring bag features zipper details, leather-like trim, and two outside slit pockets with snap-close flaps that are also zipper pockets. It’s basically an evening bag you can actually get all your stuff in, although the over-40 crowd may find it a bit youthful.
Dressing Room is published biweekly. Got fashion and beauty news? Contact Helaine R. Williams, Dressing Room, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203, or e-mail:
Style, Pages 29 on 10/26/2010