Arriving in time for a peek behind the scenes, our BEIGE models were receiving their final touch-ups before taking the runway for Festival of Fashion, as part of the 42nd annual CARTI Festival of Trees.
A dab of lipstick here, one last spritz of hair spray there, and the models were off to slip into their looks. The inspiration was evident; these women truly evoked the spirit of the 90s icons they represented. The transformation started with supermodel hair by Joey Edwards, Heather Young and Katie Springsteen of SALON JOSEPH. From Amanda Seevers’ chic, side-swept pixie a la Linda Evangelista to Natalie Huber’s big, bouncy, Cindy Crawford curls (complete with fake mole provided by makeup artist Abby Ichter), it was an homage to high fashion’s most enduring it-girls. Their BEIGE ensembles also called to mind the best of the 90s: the straight leg jean and spaghetti strap camisole, the oversized blazer paired with a pencil skirt. The play on proportions created intriguing shapes, well-suited for runway. It all perfectly fit the theme of the evening: “An Ode to Vogue.”
Soon, it was time to take our seats on the front row; the show was about to begin. It was a full house for this year’s Festival of Fashion, which continues to be one of the hottest tickets of the holiday season. A fundraiser that is actually a lot of fun, it benefits CARTI – the Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute – Arkansas’ largest private cancer treatment center. While this event exists to support CARTI in their important mission to provide live-saving treatment and exceptional patient care, it also sheds a little light on this serious subject. For one night only, it’s a celebration of life. There’s music, dancing, laughter and a lot of cheering for the parade of fashion from the finest boutiques in town.
This year’s show opened with an over-the-top performance by the Arkansas Festival Ballet’s rendition of Madonna’s “Vogue” with the original black-and-white music video projected on the screens behind the stage. It set the tone. We were in for a treat.
When it came time for our BEIGE models to walk, we were excited to see the Rachel Comey Native Pencil Skirt and Baldwin Turtleneck in Black (on Natalie Huber), the Lauren Manoogian Open Cardigan, Baldwin Reese Denim in Altitude and Ozma Raw Silk Camisole in Sienna (on Amanda Seevers), the Lauren Manoogian Fisherman Pullover Camel Sweater, Veda Bess Leather Pant (on Devynne Diaz) and the Anine Bing Madeleine Blazer, Citizens of Humanity Olivia Denim and the Loeffler Randall Isla Boot (on Josie Burnett) in motion. We carefully selected these pieces, because there is an understated elegance to them. They are wearable, right off the runway, for the girl who has her own glow and can light up any room with or without sequins. Closing our portion of the show was Heather Amaro in the Rachel Comey Medina Leopard Dress, a classic take on the very of-the-moment animal print trend.
Thank you to CARTI for having us. We love this event and support its mission. Thank you to our models, hair and makeup artists and stylists for another beautiful show. We look forward to it every year.
HAIR: @SalonJoseph | MU: @abbeyichter | STYLING: @BEIGELR