NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — If you’ve been itching for a reason to get dressed up, North Little Rock has one ready to go: the 16th annual Designer’s Choice Fashion Preview is set for April 4, bringing a “sweet 16” celebration of local style, plus a few special guests, to the runway.
Fashion designer Korto Momolou said the show will feature “a lot of beautiful designers from the city representing,” calling it “local talent at its best.” This year also includes a guest designer from Memphis, Marco Alexander, who will open the show.
Beyond the looks, the event is designed to give local artists a place to grow without feeling like they have to leave Arkansas to make it. Korto Momolou said building a foundation at home can help creatives go anywhere, adding, “I always tell people, the airport still works here.”
The show will also have a celebrity host: Julian Thornton, an actor from Tyler Perry’s Netflix series “Beauty and Black.” Korto Momolou described him as really racy and intense, and said bringing in a guest host adds extra excitement, while still keeping the spotlight on the designers. She noted the event is also a fundraiser for the Timmons Art Foundation, calling it “fashion for a purpose and for a cause.”
The Timmons Art Foundation supports young artists through programs including a summer camp that offers art, dance, music and theater for kids from elementary through middle school at no cost to parents.
Designer Sean Fresh shared a personal example of the impact, describing how a child’s early experience with the foundation helped spark growth in music, later becoming “the first chair in the jazz region.”
Sean will be among the menswear designers featured this year. Wearing his own designs during the interview, he said his brand is “little fresh University,” adding, “Every day is a fresh day to be fresh.” He said he plans to offer items like hats and jerseys meant to be everyday statement pieces.
Korto Momolou said menswear will be a bigger part of the runway this year, encouraging people to come out with friends or family and support designers from the area, and connect with them if they see something they want.
Korto Momolou is also returning to the runway for the 16th year and said she’s been part of the event since the beginning. She brought models wearing her work, including a green kimono she said was “actually a piece from Project Runway.” She also said she designs for “women of all sizes,” and teased a new collaboration for the finale: a collection created with stylist Bruce Brown that will close out the show.
The Designer’s Choice Fashion Preview is April 4. The show starts promptly at 7 at the Venue at Westwind in North Little Rock.
Organizers encouraged people to follow on Facebook and Instagram at Designer’s Choice Fashion Preview for details and sneak peeks. VIP tickets are also available for those who want a chance to meet the host.