Real, strong American girls

Fashion show more than fun for all ages

Samantha Parkington is an orphan who lives with her rich grandmother in 1904. She's being raised as a proper young lady with the best of everything. But when she befriends Nellie -- a servant girl who moves in next door -- Samantha learns that life isn't so easy for everyone. She's determined to help, even if being friends with servants isn't "proper." Then Samantha meets Uncle Gard's friend Cornelia and discovers there's more than one way to be a lady.

"Girls want to be strong, we want to have a story, something that makes us unique, and that is what American Girl has," said Nikki Sievert, director of the American Girl Fashion Shows Oct. 4 and 5 at the Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale. "Each character has a story. It's not a high seas, buccaneer story, just a simple everyday story, but it's a strong story. It allows young girls to see girls their own age being strong in all of history and in today -- not in fantasy (not that that's a bad thing) but in reality."

Fast Facts

Along with attending the American Girl Fashion Shows at the Arts Center of the Ozarks, girl may also choose to become guest models — at a cost of $75 — and purchase souvenirs or chances at six American Girl dolls. Proceeds go toward children’s programming at the arts center.

Go & Do

American Girl Fashion Shows

When: 12:30 & 4 p.m. Oct. 4-5

Where: Arts Center of the Ozarks, 214 S. Main St. in Springdale

Cost: $35

Reservations: (479) 751-5441

That's what mom Kristi Pool and her daughters enjoy about the American Girl characters.

"For my girls, they seem real," Pool said. "Even in the historical books, they do things our girls can relate to today. (The characters are) like us. I think that's what makes the learning stick."

Pool, who homeschools daughters Carolyn, 9, and Chloe, 6, said she's used the stories as learning tools since daughter Katelyn, now almost 16, fell in love with them. They teach imagination and creativity along with life lessons like "bravery, courage and strength in being you," Sievert described.

"There's a really good lesson in every story," Carolyn agreed. And in the fashion show, "it kind of seems like the dolls come alive."

"I remember a few years ago when a young girl saw our Samantha model and exclaimed, 'You're Samantha!'" Sievert said. "It brings those stories a little more to life. It makes those little girls go home and dive into those stories about their new friend that they saw on stage."

This year, Carolyn will be playing Samantha, who has just returned to the American Girl collection from retirement.

"A few years back my heart was broken when they retired my favorite historical character, Samantha," Sievert said. "But they are bringing her back. She's coming back as part of the BeForever lineup and the 10-year-old girl in me is crying from joy -- the same tears I cried when I got my Samantha doll."

Sievert explained: "American Girl has designed a new line of clothing for real girls, modern clothing but inspired by the historical girls from the American Girl Books. From what I've seen, these have got to be the cutest outfits they've ever had -- and we get to have those new fashions in our show."

The show has already inspired three Pool daughters. Carolyn saw Katelyn model and wanted to get involved, and Chloe saw Carolyn and wanted to get involved. Chloe will be a Bitty Baby twin, just as Carolyn was before her.

"It's been a fun family tradition for us," Pool said.

"There are two of me working the show," Sievert said. "The 10-year-old me fell in love with American Girl, and the adult me loves the ACO. The best part for me is that those two things can come together in one thing and that I can spread that love for both things to all the girls who are in or watch the show."

In most states, American Girl, a division of Mattel Inc., authorizes only one fashion show location, always to help raise money for a nonprofit organization. According to the website, since 1992, American Girl events have raised nearly $30 million "for worthwhile causes nationwide."

"The American Girl Fashion Show is a fun-filled event for girls and their families, friends and favorite dolls," said Kathi Blundell, administrative director of the arts center. Participants can "celebrate the experience of being a girl, whether yesterday or today, through a colorful presentation of historical and contemporary fashions, enjoy elegant refreshments, enter to win door prizes and learn how clothing has changed over the years to reflect history, culture and girls' individual styles."

Money raised goes toward children's programming at the arts center.

NAN Our Town on 09/25/2014

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