DRESSING ROOM

Miss America contestants wear Arkansan's designs

Miss Arkansas Ashton Campbell models a spring 2015 Tony Bowls evening gown for a promotional photo shoot for the Miss America pageant, which airs today on ABC-TV. Bowls, an Arkansas native, custom-designed gowns for all of the pageant’s contestants.
Miss Arkansas Ashton Campbell models a spring 2015 Tony Bowls evening gown for a promotional photo shoot for the Miss America pageant, which airs today on ABC-TV. Bowls, an Arkansas native, custom-designed gowns for all of the pageant’s contestants.

There she is ... Miss Texas, Miss Wyoming, Miss Florida, and yes, Miss Arkansas -- each wearing a gown designed by a native Arkansan.

All 53 contestants in the Miss America Pageant (to be broadcast from Atlantic City, N.J., at 8 p.m. today on ABC-TV) will be wearing custom designed evening gowns by Tony Bowls, a product of England (Lonoke County). Bowls, who rose to fame creating stunning gowns for Miss America contestants throughout the years, is the official designer for this pageant -- a feat that for him was part of "a career bucket list."

"I didn't really give it much thought, but we really are making history here," Bowls, who divides his time between Miami and Little Rock, told me via phone. He met with each of the contestants by phone, Skype, or in person, designing their gowns to their liking. Normally, custom pieces take 10-12 weeks. Bowls, his team and the participating production factories had only three to four weeks to do these dresses but, he says, he appreciated "the thrill of the challenge."

Some contestants will be sporting the Nina shoe, also designed by Bowls, during tonight's broadcast. The taupe high-heeled pump was named after outgoing Miss America Nina Davuluri.

Currently, contestants are pictured in promotional pageant images on Bowls' website, wearing dresses from Bowls' spring 2015 line. Miss Arkansas Ashton Campbell is modeling a white sleeveless A-line gown whose generously beaded bodice features an illusion neckline and back inset.

Former operator of an Arkansas dress shop, Bowls now serves clients in more than 80 countries. His creations include several subcollections, as well as shoes and tuxedos. "I am honored and excited for this opportunity to give back to a program that has always been a part of my career journey," he says.

For a complete list of retailers in Arkansas, visit TonyBowls.com. Girls with plans to attend prom or homecoming are invited to participate in a sweepstakes to win any gown seen during the pageant. See tonybowls.com/tonys-girls.

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS TO NORTHEAST

In the past I've shared several stories about Arkansans going to the big city and making good as fashion bloggers. The latest with whom I've become acquainted is Sarah Conley, who grew up in Fayetteville but now is a beauty and fashion social media consultant in New York. Conley's blog, StyleIT (styleitonline.com), features tips for plus-size women, showing them how they can wear certain trends and styles.

Conley is among those bloggers who are working to gradually but surely bring society's idea of fashion out of the box. "We are really trying to help women understand that there's so much more possible than what was possible five years ago. It's important that we see ourselves everywhere we look."

A size 26-28, Conley has joined forces with plus-size brand, Eloquii (Eloquii.com). She has helped the company expand its presence online and connect to customers by managing its blog and social media accounts. Introduced by the retail clothing chain The Limited several years ago, Eloquii was discontinued for a time. Now it's back, owned by "a handful" of its original creators. Dresses, coordinates, shapewear and accessories -- also posted by Conley on her blog -- showcase the latest trends.

Conley has been in New York for about the last six years. "I feel like it was always kind of an unfair fight between Arkansas and New York," she says. "My mom was a New Yorker."

Conley attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, at first as a microbiology major. Finding no freedom or room for expression in the discipline, Conley decided to change her major to apparel studies but realized that her career options would be limited in Arkansas. So, she says, "I turned to the Internet." She began StyleIT in October 2006.

The blog's most high-profile topics and subjects include Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. She has interviewed former supermodel Cindy Crawford. She has gotten to know TV style expert Robert Verdi and What Not to Wear co-host Stacy London. But Conley enjoys showing readers her down-to-earth personality, presenting her blog in a bold, edgy, make-no-apologies fashion flavored with sentimentality in the form of photos of herself growing up. In June, Conley took photos in a bikini from plus-size lingerie line Elomi. She posted the photos on Instagram, and they eventually made their way to the British newspaper Daily Mirror. Conley also recently modeled for an underwear look book called Dear Kate. Both the bikini and underwear photos can be seen at StyleIT.

For her, it's all about "taking these opportunities I have been given to show other women that they can wear a bikini, or they can try a trend," she says. "It's all about having the freedom and the willingness to experiment."

UNDER THE CHERRY BLOOM

"Instant" eyelash extensions have hit the beauty market. These are brush-on fiber extensions that leave one's eyelashes looking like those fancy, two-hour, $200-plus extensions.

One of two brands that have recently come to my attention is Cherry Blooms. Founded by Jellaine Ross, the Brisbane, Australia-based Cherry Blooms mascara kit is supposed to render lashes up to 300 percent thicker and longer, as well as more natural looking. Cherry Blooms is said to be the only brush-on extensions made of all natural products. The kit includes a tube of transplanting mascara gel and a tube of dry nylon brush-on black fibers, which stick to the mascara. The wearer first applies a generous coat of gel, then applies a coat of fibers before the gel dries. A second coat of gel seals the fibers in place. These lashes can be worn for up to five days and are removed via warm water and a cotton ball.

A basic Cherry Blooms kit costs $69 or less, and they are available via Karla Scott, "The Lash Queen" at The Diamond Salon in Little Rock. Contact Scott at (501) 612-9767. The kits are also for sale at other hair salons, spas and boutiques. For larger orders contact Tina Holt of Conway, Arkansas distributor, at (501) 539-0386 or kolorkouturecosmetics.com.

BOOTS MADE FOR WALKIN'

Gearing up for fall, I recently tried two "mature-adult-friendly" ankle boot styles that sport old-country quality and technology-fueled comfort along with timeless aesthetics:

• The Stockholm ($169.99) by Spring Step, a European-style line. Available in black, brown or cabernet leather in European sizes 35-42 (American sizes 5-11), the lightweight bootie has a fold-over collar, outside zipper, 1 ¼-inch rubber heel and supportive insole. It's a soft, supple boot whose textile lining has a dreamily plush feel. Spring Step footwear is available at Parts Unknown in Eureka Springs as well as springstepshoes.com and other online retailers.

• The Georgia bootie ($149.95) by Vionic with Orthaheel technology. Available in black leather, oat suede or tan leopard calf hair in full and half sizes 5-11, the Georgia features a triple row of stud trim on the outside; an inside zip; flexible, removable orthotic insert; and 2.25-inch stacked heel. Online reviewers noted that the boot ran small and narrow, so I ordered a size up. But when I pulled out the removable inserts, the boot, which had been snug in the instep, became quite roomy. Visit Vionicshoes.com for a generous list of Arkansas retailers.

Got fashion and beauty news? Contact Helaine R. Williams, Dressing Room, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203, or email:

[email protected]

High Profile on 09/14/2014

Upcoming Events