[CLICKABLES: see the original post + ALL the photos ]
THE WINDOW SHOPPER DEBUTS DYNAMIC DUO…. LOLA BOUTIQUE + MERTIN’S EYE
LOCATION: VETRO 1925 | AN ABANDONED BUILDING | ARSAGA’S DOWNTOWN | CAFÉ RUE ORLEANS ROOFTOP
CLOTHING -> LOLA BOUTIQUE | web | insta | fb |email | EYEWEAR -> MERTINS | web | insta | fb |email | blog | HATS -> CHEAP THRILLS ACCESSORIES -> THE WINDOW SHOPPER
When I started planning for Lola + Mertins, I i knew I wanted to do something different from what I had done so far. This was the last window shop we shot (although not the last post!) and so I recruited my favorite team and a new face. My friend Vanessa.
I wanted to change it up a bit this time so I asked Vanessa to ‘help me’. We’ve been posing together since church camp in 1998 (there are photos but they’re classified). Vanessa was amazing and we had a ton of fun at Vetro 1925 {will I see you there on Monday?}, Arsagas Downtown {we got a few stares + I’ll be there Monday, later} and overlooking the city on the roof of the delectable Café Rue Orleans {don’t try it at home}.
Mallory {MGB PHOTO} worked it out as always, she has mad skills with the camera. But she’s 5’nothing so she’s gotta bring her ladder {so cute}. Guillotine has literally been open two months. They have happy hour hair every Tuesday…They are freaking sick at what they do. Taylor and Lindsey tag teamed us – they gave me a faux bob which I’m going to try to get them to recreate for one of the nights I’m hosting. Kory could literally do makeup with his eyes closed. *super secret tip from him – liquid brown liner on your brows I’m going to post more on my buddies who helped me next week.
My friend, Jade Terminella is both the proprietor of Lola BoutiqueAND the co-founder/fearless leader of NWAFW. Jade has always loved animals (she has three dog babies at home). Jade joined the board of Spay Arkansas in 2007 as Fundraising Chair and her first instinct was to bring awareness for their cause through fashion. The girl moves fast and 2007 was the inaugural year of Strut for a Mutt.
Although Strut was a consistent success, Jade had her eye on
the bigger picture. She and Danielle Vaughan conspired to combine all the local fashion for philanthropy events and create an all encompassing “fashion week” in NWA. She recognized that our
community has a heart for helping others and looking fabulous while doing it.
Mertins Eye has been on board since the conception of NWAFW as the official accessory sponsor. Jennifer Esty is the stylist and marketer for the offices and she contacted me about the Window Shop. I asked her about Mertins’ involvement in NWAFW, she told me that last year they “jumped at the chance to be the official eyewear sponsor. Keeping business local, supporting local charities and doing it through fashion??? Can’t think of a better group to be involved with and cause to contribute our time and eyewear to.”
In 2006, Dr. Allyson Mertins opened Mertins Eye Care & Optical. She recognized a need in NWA for a combination of well-appointed, unique eyewear & exceptional eye care. The store expanded to a second location in September of 2011 in the Garland Center on the University of Arkansas campus. Dr. Mertins values impeccable service and has quite a loyal clientele. Her patients constantly compliment her on the eye exam, which is thorough and rather detailed. She stays up to date on the latest research and findings in the optometric industry.
Mertins offers fashion forward eyewear for every budget, recognizable high-end labels {like Alexander McQueen, Tom Ford, Derek Lam, Jason Wu, etc} and exclusive independent lines –
SALT.optics and Mykita, which are handmade. Mertins knows that the sartorially inclined public of our area express their personality through eyewear as much as any other part of their ensemble. Or….perhaps more, after all you don’t change your RX frames daily, so they’re even more important to a look than clothes or jewelry.
Dr. Allyson and the staff of Mertins are thrilled to be
invited back as the official accessory sponsor for NWAFW 2013…this year they will present a runway show!!
Special Guest: Vanessa Ward Cullers | Photography: Mallory Berry | web | fb | insta | email | Hair: Taylor & Lindsey of Guillotine Hair Lounge| [web | fb | insta | 479.582.8770 | MUA: Kory Tyler Simpson @ MAC | web | insta | email | Styling: Payton Bridewell | web | fb | insta | email
| THE CLOTHES |
THE FRAMES | |||||
| On Vanessa |
LOLA | {Elizabeth And James} | WHITE ‘PARKER’ LAYERED BLAZER | MERTINS | Salt | “FULCEY” RED TORTOISE SHELL FRAMES |
| On Payton | LOLA | {French Connection} | STELLA’ CREPE CLASSIC BLAZER IN CREAM | MERTINS | 3.1 Phillip Lim | “CELIA” EGGSHELL RIMMED CLUBMASTER (ISH) FRAMES |
| On Vanessa | LOLA | {Nicole Miller} | LONG SLEEVE TUCKED DRESS BLACK | MERTINS | Elizabeth And James | “RIVER” jackie O black oversized sunnies with gold accent |
| On Payton | LOLA | {Graham And Spencer} | 3/4 FITTED MAXI DRESS | MERTINS | {Elizabeth And James} | “KENDALL” white square sunnies |
| On Payton | LOLA | {Graham And Spencer} | DRAPE TANK DRESS IN VANILLA | MERTINS | Mykita | “DAISY NO 2″ BLUE ANGULAR FRAMES |
| On Payton | LOLA | {French Connection} | ALMOND STRETCH CAP SLEEVE DRESS – BLACK | MERTINS | Mykita | “GOLDA” black round sunnies |
| On Vanessa | LOLA | {Velvet} | LEATHER SHOULDER PATCH DRESS BLACK | MERTINS | {Rayban} | CLUBMASTER SUNNIES |
| On Vanessa | LOLA | {Alc} | HARLAN JUMPSUIT NAVY |
MERTINS | Salt | “BRIGGS” SQUARE GRAY FRAMES |
| On Payton | LOLA | {Riller And Fount} | RITA’ CREW NECK MAXI IN GOLD |
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| On Vanessa | LOLA | {Haute Hippie} | GOLD TWIST FRONT STRAPLESS DRESS |
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[CLICKABLES! see the –> original post & –> all the photos]
I wasn’t exactly familiar with Artamiss before becoming involved with NWAFW. As I said, I had already worked with Mel @ Mayapple. We got along really well and I love the one stop shop she has going with Mayapple (hair/makeup/clothes). When she asked me to put a few of the Art Amiss designers in The Window Shop, I readily agreed. Black Cherry & Good Things were the shops that really wanted to participate. I’ve been a Black Cherry fan since Leea opened. She even put me in a unitard for her instagram recently. So I knew it would be fun to show a few things from there. I had seen Good Things and maybe popped in on my way to Dark Star but didn’t really know what it was about. I met Jessy, the owner/designer and found that she has a passion for organic fabric, processes or practices. That carries over into her boutique and the clothing she carries is either made of an organic fabric or the company employs green practices. I have to admit that, at first glance, the store didn’t carry clothes that I would normally buy. However, I quickly understood that what I could love about Good Things were the basic. Tanks, tees, yoga pants, jackets but mostly bralets. Jessy was not sure what I was going to do with the bralet I took for the shoot but as you may know, skin is in. Everything in moderation, right?
Celi is an art student that Mel asked to shoot for us (Mallory was out of town) and she was really good. It was cool to work with someone that has a different aesthetic and doesn’t know all the faces I’ve already made…At one point Celi told me to “do something with {my} hands”. We got into a friendly rapport.
Mel gave me two different hair & beauty looks. 1. Princess hair complete with a braided bun at the crown with minimal makeup and glossy lips 2. Messy side braid with giant false lashes on the bottom! Needless to say, we had fun.
Leea from Black Cherry came along for the party, she gave me some posing pointers, which I had trouble remembering. We talked about marriage and boys and how to get men to clean. Mel ordered pizza for the group, which annoyed me because I was about to pour into a leopard unitard. Anyway, we had a blast and I hope you enjoy!
I’ve gleaned more info on Art Amiss, Black Cherry, Good Things & Mayapple for your reading pleasure. These ladies will be showing on the runway Thursday but I know you can’t wait so you must try to stop by Arsagas at the Depot tonight from 7pm on. The coffee shop is hosting an artist appreciation exposition put on by Art Amiss. I’ll be heading there after I sip & see at Vetro 1925 (in my LBD, natch).
Good Things’ Jessy Lang majored in Apparel Studies at the University of Arkansas and then worked in product development at the Wal-Mart corporate office for eight years. She opened Good Things in 2008. She describes the store as an extension of her lifestyle and values. She explains, “I like simple, natural, pretty things. I wanted to support positive and good things in my business and also make it easier for others to support those things, and look our best while doing it.”
Jessy told me she is inspired by every girl with big dreams, a huge heart and a great sense of style. She admires women who are motivated to do great things for their communities & world but also look fabulous doing it.
Black Cherry Vintage opened in the summer of 2012. Leea Lee saw a need for a retro woman’s clothing store in Fayetteville and she’s been delivering ever since with feminine silhouettes, beautiful dresses, fun t-shirts and enviable separates. Somehow she finds the time to be an active roller derby girl & play with her (relatively) new hubby, Spencer.
MAYAPPLE SALON & BOUTIQUE | web | insta | fb | email |
GOOD THINGS BOUTIQUE | web | fb | insta | email |
BLACK CHERRY VINTAGE | web | fb | insta | email |
PHOTOGRAPHY: Celi Birke | web | fb | insta | email |
HAIR & MUA: Melissa Arens of Mayapple | web | insta | fb | email |
STYLING: Payton Bridewell | web | fb | insta | email |
Art Amiss is a not-for-profit art collective based in
Fayetteville, AR created with the express purpose of providing services for artists living in, working in, or from Arkansas.
The organization is composed of 5 board members. We host
semi-annual events for all medias and are interested in working in conjunction with artists all over the state to increase the artistic awareness in our local environments. More @ artamiss.org
[CLICKABLE: see all the photos from the shoot!}
Hi beautiful people! Are you caught up on the window shopping happening for NWA fashion week? So far I’ve featured Maude, Plato’s Closet & Mae’s Heirlooms. Now that NWAFW is less than a month away, it’s time to really gear up for March 13-16! *get tickets *plan outfits It’s less than a month away, have you gotten your tickets? I think NYFW has really gotten me in the mood for glamour, and speaking of…
MACA Clothe is in the window shop this week! I have been dying to share these ensembles with you. MACA is a new favorite of mine, I was actually able to pair some of my very favorite items with my finds. I can’t tell you how many staples/basics they have in stock right now and I assume, always. Jeans. Blazers. Color. Jewels. It was very difficult to choose.
MACA’s Mandy Rogers told me she is obsessed with Gwen Stefani, Chanel and her three furry babies. She’s the personification of a “fireball”. When I met her in late January (to peruse the store), I was immediately put at ease by her gregariousness but fully intimidated by her chic ensemble and fabulous makeup, complete with false lashes. She later confessed that she had been in a photo shoot for MACA earlier that day. PHEW. I was worried she was able to run a business and apply lashes daily. Having met her, it wouldn’t be a surprise.
Mandy opened MACA’s dapper doors in 2007. The store leans toward edgy and trendy but budget-friendly. The store carries gobs of denim, shoes, jewelry in addition to the tops/dresses/bottoms you might expect. Did you know they’re online? Their webstore has a huge selection and everything purchased online is shipped within two days for a flat rate of $6 anywhere in the US! How’s that for service? If you’ve met Mandy, you know that she loves to make people happy; this is obvious when you walk into her store. MACA endeavors to provide affordable/attractive variety for the girl that is confident, fun loving and ahead of the fashion curve. On the MACA girl, Mandy says, “she has no rules and is not afraid to fall in love… MACA love!”
So…I have something really REALLY exciting to tell you. MACA is generously offering 15% off of the items I featured through the end of February {mention WINDOW SHOPPER at checkout}! This would be a fabulous opportunity for you to get ready to strut at NWAFW. Almost everything can also be purchased online, so the convenience factor is at an all-time high. If shopping is your cardio, the shop provides free gift wrap, alterations and custom spray tanning.
MACA takes over the runway on Saturday, March 16th!
About our shoot:
Taylor and Lindsey @ Guillotine helped me with a petite rocker faux-hawk in the front and spirals in the back for the first few looks. It was super easy to let down for a few of the later looks. It just cascaded into curls.
On the beauty, I have a confession. We had a little shoot the night before and Kory (from MAC) couldn’t make it the next day. I told him I wanted to attempt to keep the makeup on and try to make it work. He is really, really good. A little concealer and lips and my makeup was good to go!
Vetro 1925 was an absolute delight to have as a backdrop. They are very fashion-friendly and even made me a cocktail! They’re hosting NWAFW’s LBD event on Monday, March 11th, so don’t miss that!
Mallory @ MGB Photo is absolutely amazing. She actually shot my wedding and has done all the photography for these shoots, save for Mae’s. She and I have built a really good rapport, so it’s great that she can tell me to put my chin down or to suck in. She’s great at taking random/normal backdrops and making them appear high end. I feel very fortunate to have these artists on my team!
OUTFIT DETAILS:
click to purchase à MACA OVI blue blazer | worn with vintage tropical strapless dress – all that jazz, turquoise beads – Mae’s, heels – target, earrings – thrifted
MACA Xtaren nude sequin tank dress (purchase in store) | worn with sweater – Moda International, heels – charles david, vintage earrings – grey dog, cuff – forever21, necklace/locket – mae’s | location: Vetro 1925 Ristorante
MACA onemanband. by Emily Smith handmade bustier (purchase in store) | worn with sweater skirt – My Michelle, blazer – Georges Marciano, heels – banana republic, necklace – forever21
purchase à MACA Rehab black pleather pleated skirt | worn with swimsuit as top, heels/necklace – forever21, bracelets – thrifted | location: Vetro 1925 Ristorante
MACA !iT flare jeans (purchase in store) | worn with crop top – banjo via grey dog, DIY flower wreath, sunnies – a gas station pick up, wedges – bamboo
click to purchase à MACA OVI white blazer leather collar | worn with tank – gap, polka dot shorts – grey dog, heels – forever21, sunnies – ultra studios
by mallory berry
The Window Shopper 