Little Rock Fashion Week to begin from July 15

LRFW’s “2010 Clothing Line of the Year” Nicole McGehee Collection (NMC) by Nicole McGehee, is usually seen as a vintage, modern collection. McGehee’s style of clothing also displays a mix of business with urban, but this year she will display “more ready to wear” clothing on the runway.

“I’ve evolved by doing customized sewing,” said McGehee. Ever since she was a young girl in Flint, Mich., McGehee observed her mother’s sewing and took it upon herself to experiment with fabric.

McGehee has participated in LRFW since 2009 to expose her clothing to the masses. She has collaborated with other designers and has met numerous models to wear her fashion. This is McGehee’s fourth time showcasing her clothing line at LRFW.

“I love the opportunity to present my collection at Little Rock Fashion Week. I love the shows; It’s great exposure,” said McGehee.

The exposure has brought her more business and increase in cliental. NMC has been seen in several fashion shows around Arkansas, including in Dumas, Ark., a small town in southeast Arkansas that McGehee lived at for most of her life and has a cult following. On September 8th, McGehee will debut her Spring/Summer 2014 collection at “New York Fashion Week’s Designer’s Review” fashion show.

McGehee’s office is located in the Tanglewood Center, 7309 Cantrell Rd., Suite 230. In the near future she plans to launch her designs in retail stores and boutiques nationwide.

Dominic Hall, designer of D.ooh, celebrated the completion of her first collection at LRFW 2010. Hall’s clothing style is sophisticated and classy. Hall resides in Little Rock.

D.ooh originated during Hall’s teenage years as a nickname. Later, it became the name of her fashion line.

For LRFW 5, Hall is going to “step outside the box,” but still wants to hold on to her conservative roots.

“The clothing doesn’t show a lot of skin.” “In my generation, [people] want to show more skin,” said Hall. But “it gives me a different [target] market.” 

Hall benefits from LRFW by networking. She’s able to promote her business. Her hope is to follow McGehee and five other LRFW alumni to present their clothing lines in New York Fashion Week.

The designer of Hope E., Hope Smith, officially launched her career at LRFW 2012. Smith’s friends were models at previous LRFWs; therefore, they encouraged Smith to showcase her fashion line.

Ever since her first showing at LRFW 2012: Young & Fabulous, Smith has learned time management and deadlines. “The experience was great,” said Smith, “I learned so much.”