When asked what he believes distinguishes him as a fashion designer, Natchez, Miss.-born Hilton Hollis doesn't hesitate.
"I definitely think it is more about our fit -- and also the fact that I'm not a designer [who] really follows trends," he says from New York.
Hollis, whose creations have been worn by the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Jane Fonda, will be showing his fall 2014 collection firsthand at Fashion on Main, set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at South on Main restaurant. The event is a benefit for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. Admission comes with dinner reservations, which may be made by calling (501) 244-9660. (On Wednesday-Thursday, Hollis' fashions will be featured at a trunk show during store hours at B. Barnett, 8201 Cantrell Road.)
He doesn't just design for women with fashion-model figures. He targets "specifically women with curves and who have shapely bodies." This includes the 35-year-old businesswoman and the 60-to-70-something lady who simply likes to look good.
"I think we have a beautiful product. It's very traditional in a sense. But also we like to take the traditional and modernize it and make it very unique."
Indeed, Hollis' designs feature clean, classic lines with touches of edginess: retro full-skirted dress with a multicolored abstract pattern. An unforgettable halter sheath, mixing leather, tweed and chic sci-fi-space-costume seaming. A dress with color-blocking and pattern-blocking. Prices range from $225-$995.
Hollis makes sure he stays in touch with his customer base. A couple of months ago he started a newsletter. He also connects with customers via social media, asking them what their sartorial needs are, what things are missing from their closets. And Hollis is no stranger to charity appearances.
"As an artist, I feel like I should be expressing myself to help others as well," he says. "It feels better than just sitting in a bubble here in New York."
In fact he appears annually at The Local Fashion Advantage, held in the auditorium of his former school -- The Old Carthage (Miss.) Elementary, aka "The Old School." The school was vacated after its district consolidated and the building fell into disrepair. Through his charity, Hollis restored the school's auditorium. In June, the fashion show raised more than $10,000 for the Leake County Foundation.
For his fall line, Hollis decided to go with "rich fabrics like cloques, jacquards and textured knits mixed with leather and mesh," he writes in a news release. Drawing inspiration from an exhibit on Mary, Queen of Scots, at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, he got "the whole idea of dressing in a royal way with ornate fabrics" and royal colors. He was also inspired by "the [Scottish] countryside and the people. It's just a warm and inviting place; it reminded me a lot of being in the South ... because people were so friendly there."
Sizes in Hollis' collection go from 0 to 16, with some shirts going up to an 18.
Here comes the fair
Meredith Events and Cypress Meadows Plantation present Bridal Savoir Faire 2014, which will be 3-6 p.m. Sept. 28, at The Barn at Cypress Meadows Plantation, 17925 Arkansas 17 in Howell. Hosted by A Perfect Bloom and Meredith Corning's Compassion Fashion Events & Design, the fair will spotlight a wedding style based on "vintage chic." Visitors will partake of a unique vendor showcase and see a runway show sponsored by Ann's Bridal featuring top local designers and retail markets. The event will also include a 1930s-themed presentation by Arkansas' own Hollywood stylist, L.A. Rose.
General admission tickets are $10; VIP tickets, $25. The event will support the Glass Slipper Closet, which provides prom dresses and accessories to students free of charge. Guests are also asked (not required) to contribute new or gently used formal dresses. Visit bridalsavoirfaire.com.
Wears like school spirit
There's a line of pants designed to help the fellas yell "Roll Tide!" "Geaux Tigers!" or "Wooo, Pig! Sooey!" in style at this season's football games. Debuting last year, the Dockers men's Game Day khakis have been expanded to include 44 schools, including the University of Arkansas. The pants ($70) come in two modern fits -- the Classic Fit or Slim Taper -- and two colors, khaki or the primary school color. Shorts ($55) are also available. There's a discreet back pocket logo, and each school's rallying cry is immortalized inside the waistband.
My husband studied at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, which isn't in the Dockers Game Day lineup. But being a fierce defender of all schools in his home state, Dre was happy with his pair of Louisiana State University trousers in Classic Fit khaki.
Dockers Game Day khakis can be found at us.dockers.com.
Under wraps
Last column I mentioned the Pocket Poppet, a cardigan that folds into its own sewn-on container and was designed especially for wearing in cold building interiors. Here are a couple more products designed to protect the ladies from air-conditioned or fall chills.
The Secret Sweater is a cotton-modal blend cardigan ($39.95) that -- thanks to its streamlined silhouette -- is great under a jacket as well as on its own. Offered in several colors and with a carrying case, it's made with three-quarter sleeves, a waist-length body to allow for movement, and a deep cutaway front to keep the sweater out of sight under blazers and jackets. The sweater is not meant to close or cover the chest. Size range is XS to 1X (Misses' sizes 0/2 to 18). Shop secretsweater.com.
Chilly Jilly is a line of multifunctional apparel that includes a wrap ($35) that folds up into a silk bag that easily fits into a purse. Offered in a wide variety of colors, the lightweight, double-brushed, wrinkle-resistant wrap may also be worn as a statement scarf. The Chilly Jilly family also consists of the Oversize Wrap ($39), which offers more coverage; the Wrapper Blanket ($45), big and cozy enough for double duty; and the Jilly Jacket ($60), "the blanket with sleeves" that comes in a fashionable high-low style. Visit chillyjilly.com.
Beauty on display
The fourth annual Arkansas beauty and fashion expo Sept. 7 at the Statehouse Convention Center, 426 W. Markham St., will include entertainment and more than 50 vendors featuring clothing; health, wellness, beauty, hair and skin products; accessories and cosmetics ; and other merchandise for men, women and children. Receiving honors during the expo will be Nancy Scaife, chief executive officer of Artistic Rootz Natural Hair; Jasmine Kelsey, chief executive officer of missLady magazine -- and Yours Truly. Lay D Black will serve as host. Tickets for the expo are available for $5. For ticket or vendor information, contact Geniese Simpson at (501) 952-0608.
Got fashion and beauty news? Contact Helaine R. Williams, Dressing Room, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203, or email:
High Profile on 08/24/2014