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FASHION & ART
Get information on fashion and art in NW Arkansas and the River Valley. This can include local fashion announcements, fashion runways, museums and art events.


K’Veon Coates Takes the Runway at Bentonville Fashion Week
At the vibrant Bentonville Fashion Week Fall/Winter Show hosted at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade Mall, designer K’Veon Coates of Threads by Kveon Coates (TBKC) made a powerful impression with a collection rooted in creativity, intention, and undeniable originality. K’Veon’s journey is as bold as his designs. After trading in his college baseball career for a sewing machine, he launched TBKC with a mission to breathe new life into vintage streetwear. His pieces are machine-sewn

The Local Vibe
2 days ago1 min read


Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Dr. Ketaki Deshpande & Papi Amisi Debut at Bentonville Fashion Week
Making a powerful debut at the Bentonville Fashion Week Fall/Winter Show at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade Mall, Dr. Ketaki Deshpande and Papi Amisi brought art, heritage, and innovation together in a breathtaking display of cultural fusion. Dr. Deshpande, a Film Studies professor, channels her sharp analytical eye into fashion that embodies both resistance and reclamation. Her pieces tell visual stories, bold, thought-provoking, and unapologetically expressive. Partnering with

The Local Vibe
2 days ago1 min read


Elegance in Motion: Mabely Soto of Gusto by Mabely
Mabely Soto stunning collection was next up on the Bentonville Fashion Week runway at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade Mall on November 1st. Mabely Soto, is the proud Mexican-American designer behind Gusto by Mabely. Her designs are a breathtaking fusion of culture, sophistication, and grace, each piece telling a story rooted in her rich Mexican heritage and inspired by her travels around the world. Mabely’s garments radiate timeless elegance, crafted for those who appreciate

The Local Vibe
3 days ago1 min read


A Fresh Look at Punk: Designer Christopher Poynor of EXO
At Bentonville Fashion Week Show on November 1st at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade Mall, designer Christopher Poynor of EXO brought a rebellious spark to the runway with his bold, unapologetic take on punk-inspired comfort and outerwear. His latest collection turned heads with a mix of edge and ease, showcasing looks that are as wearable as they are unforgettable. EXO’s designs are made for those who aren’t afraid to stand out. Poynor’s signature touch? Fun, toothy creatures wi

The Local Vibe
4 days ago1 min read


Designer Jairo Portilla, A Bold New Voice in Contemporary Fashion
Jairo Portilla is an emerging fashion designer whose work speaks volumes through color, structure, and emotion. Known for his bold creative vision and meticulous craftsmanship, Portilla brought a refreshing perspective to the Bentonville Fashion Week (BFW) fall/winter show brought to you by its CEO and organizer Rulli Torres at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade Mall. Drawing inspiration from his cultural heritage and a love for modern silhouettes, Jairo’s designs are more than gar

The Local Vibe
5 days ago1 min read


Mireille Belinga Fall Designs, A Celebration of Culture, Color, and Connection!
Mireille Belinga, the creative force behind Akib’art in Fort Smith! Known to many as Mimi , Mireille’s artistic journey is as rich and layered as her designs. Mimi's fall collection debuted at the Bentonville Fashion Week (BFW) fall/winter show brought to you by its CEO Rulli Torres at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade Mall. Originally from Cameroon, Mireille began her career as a journalist before following her heart into the world of visual art and fashion. A gifted collage arti

The Local Vibe
6 days ago1 min read


Amanda Hubbard’s NWA Outdoor Inspired Fashion Takes Center Stage
“Souls of the Promenade: Día de Muertos”, Fashion Show presented by Bentonville Fashion Week (BFW) and Rulli Torres was held on November 1st. Our next featured designer is Amanda Hubbard. Her work celebrates the natural beauty of Northwest Arkansas, a true love letter to the NWA outdoors. Drawing inspiration from the rolling Ozark hills, winding trails, and the vibrant textures of our local landscapes, Amanda transforms her surroundings into wearable art. With a background

The Local Vibe
Nov 121 min read


Student Designer Robert Apple Brings Bold Avant-Garde Energy to Bentonville Fashion Week
“Souls of the Promenade: Día de Muertos”, Fashion Show presented by Bentonville Fashion Week (BFW) and Rulli Torres was held on November 1st. They continue to shine a light on the creative energy shaping the region’s fashion future, and our next featured designer is a name you’ll want to remember: Robert Apple. A student at the University of Arkansas, Robert is already turning heads with his dramatic, conceptual approach to design. Majoring in Apparel Merchandising, Robert’

The Local Vibe
Nov 111 min read


Crystal Bridges Opens Applications for 2026–2027 Tyson Scholars of American Art Program
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art has opened applications for the 2026–2027 cohort of the Tyson Scholars of American Art Program, a distinguished residential fellowship supporting research and writing in American art. Since its launch in 2012, the program has been expanding the boundaries of scholarship in art history and related fields. Backed by a $5 million commitment from the Tyson Family Foundation and Tyson Foods, Inc., the Tyson Scholars Program has supported the

The Local Vibe
Nov 111 min read


Where Culture Meets Couture: The Rulli Torres Runway
Designs by Rulli Torres “Souls of the Promenade: Día de Muertos”, Fashion Show presented by Bentonville Fashion Week (BFW) and Rulli Torres was held on November 1st. Leading this incredible showcase was Rulli Torres runway, the driving force behind Bentonville Fashion Week. A Mexican-American designer and creative visionary, Torres was celebrated for fusing cultural heritage with modern design. After earning his degree in Apparel Merchandising and Product Development from

The Local Vibe
Nov 101 min read


Bentonville Fashion Week: Where Heritage Met the Horizon of Style
Pinnacle Hills Promenade Mall came alive with color, creativity, and culture at their “Souls of the Promenade: Día de Muertos”, presented by Bentonville Fashion Week (BFW) and Rulli Torres. As guests arrived, they were greeted by the rhythm of local cultural artists and musicians whose live performances set an unforgettable tone for the evening. Their music and artistry celebrated the region’s diversity, creating a rich and soulful atmosphere that perfectly complemented the n

The Local Vibe
Nov 101 min read


Souls of the Promenade: Día de Muertos at Pinnacle Hills Mall in Rogers!
Bentonville Fashion Week Models to left and Fashion Designer Rulli Torres on Right -Photo by Miguel Rivera Bentonville Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2025 – A Celebration of Culture, Art, and Design On Saturday, November 1st, the Pinnacle Hills Promenade Mall will come alive with color, creativity, and culture for “Souls of the Promenade: Día de Muertos”, presented by Bentonville Fashion Week (BFW) and Rulli Torres. The event begins with live entertainment from 3:00 PM to 5:30 pm

The Local Vibe
Oct 302 min read


Fort Smith International Film Festival Breaks Records and Lights Up the River Valley Arts Scene!
Brandon Chase Goldsmith, Executive Director Fort Smith International Film Festival The 2025 Fort Smith International Film Festival just had its best year yet! According to the City of Fort Smith Advertising and Promotion Commission, the festival brought in a whopping $260,000 in economic impact, filled 689 hotel rooms, and welcomed a record 1,083 guests, up from 800 last year. “Our goal this year was 1,000, and we were cautiously optimistic, but we did better than expected,”

The Local Vibe
Oct 232 min read


Navajo-Language Romantic Comedy Premieres at Fort Smith International Film Festival
At the Fort Smith International Film Festival, filmmaker Shonie Delarosa debuted The Arrangement , the first feature-length romantic...

Miguel Medina
Aug 211 min read


Oklahoma Film and Music Office Invites Filmmakers to the State
We spoke to Wendy O’Connor of the Oklahoma Film and Music Office at the Fort Smith International Film Festival. She highlighted the...

Miguel Medina
Aug 211 min read


Behind the Scenes of The Fight: Creativity Shines at Fort Smith International Film Festival
Director Garrett Brennaman brought his short film The Fight to the Fort Smith International Film Festival, telling the story of a young...

Miguel Medina
Aug 211 min read


Zach Bliss on The Good Twin and His Journey to Fort Smith International Film Festival
Filmmaker Zach Bliss brought his short film The Good Twin to the Fort Smith International Film Festival, a proof-of-concept thriller...

Miguel Medina
Aug 211 min read


Fort Smith International Film Festival Spotlights Club Kinkead’s: Drag, History, and Humanity
Filmmakers Hezekiah Bennetts and Felicity Hull presented Club Kinkead’s , a short documentary drawn from a four-year project on Fort...

Miguel Medina
Aug 211 min read


Native Filmmaker Chris Coursey Brings “Siren of the Woods” to Fort Smith International Film Festival
Filmmaker Chris Coursey of Native Fable Movie Production presented Siren of the Woods at the Fort Smith International Film Festival, a...

Miguel Medina
Aug 211 min read


MidAmerica Film Market Empowers Independent Filmmakers At The Fort Smith International Film Festival
Jeff Porter, co-CEO of Porter Craig Film and Media Distribution, returned to the Fort Smith International Film Festival for the second...

Miguel Medina
Aug 201 min read
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