AAFF will be hosting this event on Saturday, August 31st at our new office, located
at 203 E Emma Ave, Ste A, Springdale, AR 72764.

The Arkansas Arts & Fashion Forum (AAFF) will hold its FIRST ever “Designer Cohort” Workshop on August 31st at their new location in Springdale. Eight selected Fashion designers in Arkansas will meet to prepare to compete and be critiqued by Gabrielle Korn, former Editor in Chief of Nylon Magazine.

Joining Gabirelle Korn at the workshop, several other guest speakers will discuss the impact of fashion on the culture and industry of the heartland, the current state of fashion, and more.

Participants will showcase their work during NWA FASHION WEEK on October 3rd, during the Future of Fashion event, a fundraiser benefiting the Arkansas Arts & Fashion Forum. Proceeds from ticket sales will go directly to funding educational programming and professional support for the designers and creatives in the state of Arkansas.
Gabirelle Korn will also be featured in the show as a guest speaker and collection judge where the winner will be announced.
AAFF’s Designer Cohort Participants Include:
Basana Chhetri
Big Sister
Ethwes
Herron Hats
Hope & Faith
Richie Clark Clothing
Robbie’s Era

AAFF’s Designer Cohort Workshop Details-
The Workshop will open with a presentation from Robin Atkinson, Chief Executive Officer Arkansas Arts & Fashion Forum and speaker, Gabrielle Korn. Following introductions, a presentation on Small Batch Manufacturing by the Sequoyah Collective- Raney von Gremp & Ryan Dossey. Additional guest speakers will lend insight and knowledge on Body Positivity and Casting Diverse models, Entrepreneurial Marketing Strategies & Tactics, Budgeting for Small Businesses, Styling, and Hair and Makeup. Please see the attached schedule for times.
About Arkansas Arts & Fashion Forum:
The Arkansas Arts & Fashion Forum was founded in 2017 with the hope of providing a central location for creative producers in Arkansas to find professional development resources, creative inspiration, and a community of support. The mission of the Arkansas Arts & Fashion Forum is to provide educational opportunities and professional support for aspiring avant-garde fashion designers, artists, and other creative professionals who are committed to building a vibrant and inspired creative community in Arkansas. Within this mission, the Arkansas Arts & Fashion Forum pursues three main areas of programming:

• Providing educational workshops, classes and panel discussions for both fashion
  professionals and the public to increase understanding of the art of fashion.
• Providing educational scholarships and production grants to aspiring fashion designers
  and
• Provide educational mentorship opportunities for aspiring photographers, models, hair
  stylists, makeup artists, videographers and other aspiring professionals to work with
  established professionals in an educational environment for the development and
  enhancement of professional skills and knowledge.

Each season the Arkansas Arts & Fashion Forum dedicates time and resources to ensuring that designers based in the state of Arkansas are able to participate in NWA Fashion Week, ensuring visibility to their brands and professional development opportunities toward the goal of establishing a thriving fashion industry in our state.

For more information please Contact:

Rachel Fox
Marketing and PR Director
Arkansas Arts & Fashion Forum
Rachelfox@arkansasfashion.org
Robin Atkinson
Chief Executive Officer
Arkansas Arts & Fashion Forum
robin@arkansasfashion.org

Learn more: www.arkansasfashion.org