John Pryor, the creative mind behind Madison Stitch, captivated the Bentonville Fashion Week audience with a runway collection that artfully merged rugged craftsmanship with high-fashion artistry. Known for his Kansas City–based design studio, John has built a reputation for heirloom-quality leather goods and sculptural fashion pieces that push the boundaries of craft and design. Madison Stitch brought its signature blend of durability and sophistication to the runway, showcasing handmade leather bags alongside two breathtaking artistic dresses. With a background in furniture design, John drew inspiration from his expertise in working with wood and leather to craft wearable works of art. The dresses, made of regional materials, stood as testaments to the profound relationship between fashion, function, and storytelling. This Bentonville Fashion Week showcase was a moment of pure artistry, cementing John Pryor’s place as a designer to watch. Click Below To Watch Video of Runway Click Below for Photo Gallery of Runway Proud Sponsors Of Bentonville Fashion Week

Eljoy Designs, led by the multifaceted talent behind the brand, brought elegance and innovation to Bentonville Fashion Week with an unforgettable showcase. Known for modern, eclectic, and romantic designs, Eljoy Designs presented pieces that masterfully balanced draping techniques with the use of luxurious fabrics like cotton, satin, and chiffon. Each garment was a testament to timeless beauty, enhanced by a color palette of neutrals—whites, beiges, tans, and blacks—with striking accents of reds, blues, and yellows. At Bentonville Fashion Week, Eljoy Designs captivated audiences with their versatile collection, which bridges the classic and contemporary. From chic tailored looks to flowing romantic silhouettes, the pieces seamlessly highlighted the interplay of artistry and wearability. Click Below To Watch Video Click Below For Gallery Proud Sponsors Of The Bentonville Fashion Week

B Magic Craft Hands lit up the runway at Bentonville Fashion Week with its breathtaking Essence Collection . The audience was captivated as elegant, minimalist designs adorned with intricate handmade embroidery were showcased, celebrating the intersection of culture and style. Each piece carried the soul of Mexican artistry, with every stitch reflecting generations of tradition and creativity. The collection not only highlighted the beauty of simplicity but also underscored the dedication and passion of the talented artisans behind each creation. The show celebrated more than fashion—it was a tribute to heritage, craftsmanship, and the magic that happens when art and intention unite. Click below to watch Video Click below to see Runway Gallery

EXO is redefining fashion with a bold new aesthetic—imperfectionist punk that went down the runway at the Bentonville Fashion Week Event. Grounded in embracing chaos and flaws, EXO believes mistakes fuel creativity. "Life comes at you fast. It’s crucial to embrace mistakes, learn from them, and use them in your art,". Their designs feature gnarly monsters adorned with jagged chains, crooked smiles, and daring hues that catch eyes and spark conversations. Working without a plan, EXO's art is raw, authentic, and unmistakably punk. Rejecting rigid perfectionism, EXO reminds us that beauty thrives in chaos, and their creations radiate individuality and unfiltered creativity. Check out his runway below. Click Below To Watch Video Click Below to See Runway Gallery Proud Sponsors of Bentonville Fashion Week

Severine Ryan, founder of RYAN FASHION SUPPLIES, is an inspiring designer born in Gabon, Central Africa. Her bold, colorful creations celebrate individuality and cultural heritage, offering a vibrant alternative to societal norms of conformity debuted at the Bentonville Fashion Week. For Ryan, creativity is her therapy—a means to inspire others to embrace their true selves. Her designs are more than fashion; they are expressions of freedom, authenticity, and divine guidance. With every piece, Ryan reminds the world that it’s not only okay to be different—it’s beautiful. Her work boldly encourages everyone to celebrate their uniqueness with confidence. Click Below To Watch Video Click For Runway Gallery Below Proud Sponsors of Bentonville Fashion Week

BFW CEO Rulli Torres, 40/29 News Anchor Lakyra Banks and KUAF DJ Ryan Versey The Bentonville Fashion Week, led by CEO Rulli Torres, hosted a spectacular series of runway shows during their inaugural fundraiser this past weekend, with proceeds benefiting OneCommunity. This impactful organization is dedicated to improving literacy, reading levels for children, and mental health awareness within the community. Avian Alia The event kicked off Friday night with live performances by local musicians Mar Loroña, and a special performance given by singer/rapper Avian Alia. Mar Loroña Design by Rulli Torres On Saturday the show was dedicated to a family from Springdale who had lost their daughter in May. Musician Mar Loroña delivered a heartfelt dedication to honor the family who was in attendance. Saturday evening also featured special co-hosts: 40/29 News anchor Lakyra Banks and KUAF DJ Ryan Versey, adding extra flair to the event. Across the two nights, attendees enjoyed an impressive showcase of 20 runway shows, highlighting a variety of designers and their collections. Looking ahead, Bentonville Fashion Week’s next event is set for November 1st at Pinnacle Hills Promenade in Rogers. Stay tuned over the upcoming week as we share highlights and exclusive designer runway footage from this remarkable event. Highlights From First Night Highlights From Second Night

The Fort Smith International Film Festival & MidAmerica Film Market marks its 5th year, showcasing 160 films from local, regional, national, and international filmmakers. Hosted at the Fort Smith Convention Center and other venues like The Bakery District, Fort Smith Museum of History, Club Kinkead's and Hero’s Bar, the festival celebrates diverse cinematic storytelling. Highlights include a Special pre-event screening of In the Footsteps of Darby on August 6, and Best of the River Valley Red Carpet  Event on Thursday, August 7 (Free). Indigenous films by 17 tribal nations, and free off-site screenings. Tickets range from $10–$50 at FortSmithFilm.com , with early bird discounts available until June 31. This year’s poster by local artist Laura Wattles revealed! See Below... Local designer Laura Wattles returns this year as the poster artist for the festival. Describing her creative process, Wattles said:   “After volunteering design services for last year’s film festival, I was extremely pleased that Brandon gave me the opportunity to design this year’s poster. He gave me a bit of direction—include the optical effect that happens when a film camera is pointed at a television screen, called a video feedback loop. That was my launching point. So, I started with the TV. And for the light of the screen to show up, I felt like a nighttime scene was called for, which determined my color scheme. I decided I wanted to create an illustration and look that gave the feel of indie band posters, since this is an indie film festival. I set the TV in an outdoor scene, on a tree stump, after dark, and added some elements of interest morel mushrooms, a film reel, and a mockingbird (the Arkansas state bird, of course). I hope the illustration, and the festival are huge hits this year!” Don’t miss this cinematic celebration! Proud Sponsors of the Fort Smith International Film Festival

Fashion Designer Kendal Nobrega Kendal Nobrega is an emerging fashion designer and current student whose passion for creativity began at a young age. She debut her collection at the Bentonville Fashion Week Runway event. Her collection is vibrant and personal expression of her individuality, femininity, and bold spirit. Inspired by her colorful childhood, a nostalgic summer in Paris, and her ever-evolving identity, Kendal masterfully combines bold fabrics with timeless silhouettes. Her designs celebrate authenticity and self-expression, weaving nostalgia and modernity into every piece. With a talent for creating expressive, unforgettable looks, Kendal Nobrega is a rising star in fashion, poised to make a lasting impact. Click Below To Watch Video of Runway Kendal Nobrega Runway Gallery Proud Sponsor of Bentonville Fashion Week

Bentonville-based fashion and graphic designer Amanda Hubbard was set to steal the spotlight at Bentonville Fashion Week with her latest collection, "Work With What You've Got." Amanda has refreshed her previous designs with bold updates and paired them with new pieces made from high-visibility floral knit fabric. Inspired by the evolving availability of local fashion resources, the collection celebrates creativity, adaptability, and everyday versatility with stylish town-to-trail daywear. Amanda’s vibrant designs prove that ingenuity and resourcefulness can transform fashion. Click Below To Watch Runway Runway Gallery Below Proud Sponsors of Bentonville Fashion Week

NASCAR fans, buckle up for an exhilarating weekend as the NASCAR Xfinity Series makes its triumphant return to the legendary Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez! This marks a pivotal step in the series’ ambitious global strategy, bringing one of America’s most beloved motorsports to international fans. Situated in the heart of Mexico City, this iconic racetrack promises a roaring showcase of talent and strategy. The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez spans 2.674 miles and boasts an intricate 17-turn layout. Nestled at an impressive altitude of 7,421 feet, it challenges teams and drivers alike with its high-altitude dynamics and technical demands. Known for its illustrious history, the track has hosted premier events such as Formula 1, Formula E, and the NASCAR Xfinity Series races from 2005-2008, making it hallowed ground for motorsport enthusiasts. The demanding layout ensures a thrilling contest of skill, with its sweeping curves, tight corners, and high-speed straights. The altitude adds a layer of complexity—drivers must adapt to thinner air and teams need to tweak engine setups to optimize performance. This unique combination of factors guarantees exhilarating battles for position and explosive drama from green flag to finish line. Don’t miss a moment of the adrenaline-fueled action! Tune in this Saturday, May 14th at 3 PM CDT on The Arkansas CW to witness history as the NASCAR Xfinity Series storms Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Get ready for heart-pounding excitement and a race that’s destined to be unforgettable! Where You Can Watch The Race in NW Arkansas & The River Valley Antenna: 29.2 or 40.2 Cox Cable: 4 or 2004    AT&T U-verse: 30 or 1030     DirecTV: 41     DISH: 21 Where You Can Watch Qualifying  Qualifying & practice for the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez Xfinity Series  will take place over two days. Practice will happen on Friday May 13th starting at 1:00 PM CDT. Qualifying will happen on Saturday 14th at 9:30 AM CDT. Both are available through the CW Streaming app, offering fans a two days of Xfinity Series action. Don’t miss this exciting clash of racing stars at one of NASCAR’s iconic tracks! Race entries listed below for the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez Xfinity Series Entry  Vehicle # Driver Organization 1 00 Sheldon Creed Hass Factory Team 2 1 Carson Kvapil JR Motorsports 3 2 Jesse Love Richard Childress Racing 4 4 Parker Retzlaff Alpha Prime Racing 5 5 Kris Wright Our Motorsports 6 7 Justin Allgaier JR Motorsports 7 07 Alex Labbe SS-Green Light Racing 8 8 Sammy Smith JR Motorsports 9 9 Daniel Suarez (i) JR Motorsports 10 10 Daniel Dye Kaulig Racing 11 11 Josh Williams Kaulig Racing 12 14 Josh Bilicki SS-Green Light Racing 13 16 Christian Eckes Kaulig Racing 14 18 William Sawalich Joe Gibbs Racing 15 19 TY Gibbs (i) Joe Gibbs Racing 16 20 Brandon Jones Joe Gibbs Racing 17 21 Austin Hill Richard Childress Racing 18 24 Christopher Bell (i) Sam Hunt Racing 19 25 Harrison Burton AM Racing 20 26 Dean Thompson Sam Hunt Racing 21 27 Jeb Burton Jordan Anderson Racing 22 28 Kyle Sieg RSS Racing 23 31 Blaine Perkins Jordan Anderson Racing 24 32 Austin Green Jordan Anderson Racing 25 35 Ruben Rovelo Joey Gase Motorsports 26 39 Ryan Sieg RSS Racing 27 41 Sam Mayer Haas Factory Team 28 42 Anthony Alfredo Young's Motorsports 29 44 Brennan Poole Alpha Prime Racing 30 45 Brad Perez Alpha Prime Racing 31 48 Nicholas Sanchez Big Machine Racing 32 51 Jeremy Clements Jeremy Clements Racing 33 53 Sage Karam Joey Gase Motorsports 34 54 Taylor Gray Joe Gibbs Racing 35 70 Thomas Annunziata Cope Family Racing 36 71 Ryan Ellis DGM Racing 37 88 Connor Zilisch JR Motorsports 38 91 Andres Perez De Lara (i) DGM Racing 39 99 Matt DiBenedetto Viking Motorsports

Emerging from the creative grounds of Northwest Arkansas, Fashion Designer Robert Apple is making waves as a student designer with an innovative take on modern style. Specializing in flowing silhouettes and the timeless all-black designs, Apple’s offers a fresh perspective on contemporary fashion. As Robert begins his academic journey this fall at the University of Arkansas in Apparel Merchandising and Product Development, he is poised to refine his craft and push the boundaries of design further. Prepare to see far more of this designer as his luminous career unfolds! Check out his runway below. Click below to play video Designs by Robert Apple Proud Sponsor of Bentonville Fashion Week

Get ready for an unforgettable weekend as Fort Smith Comic Con returns on June 14-15, 2025, at Kay Rodgers Park in Fort Smith, Arkansas. This annual event is a must-attend for fans of comics, anime, pop culture, and all things geeky. Whether you're a seasoned convention-goer or a first-timer, Fort Smith Comic Con promises an action-packed experience for everyone. The 2025 guest lineup includes voice actors Cindy Robinson and Christopher Corey Smith, wrestling legends Dan Severn and Don Frye, and actresses Leilani Shiu, Susanna Malak, and Christina Galey. Fans can meet these stars through panels, autograph sessions, and photo ops. Live entertainment will feature the rock band Kazha, the mesmerizing Cirque La Vie, and thrilling matches from the Impact Wrestling Federation. Explore the vibrant Artist Alley and Exhibit Hall, featuring a diverse array of unique merchandise and collectibles. Cosplay enthusiasts can participate in the cosplay contest, while families can enjoy kid-friendly activities. Location: Kay Rodgers Park, 4400 Midland Blvd, Fort Smith, AR 72904 Dates: June 14-15, 2025 Tickets: Available online through the official website. Don't miss out on the excitement! Mark your calendar for June 14-15, 2025, and join the fun at Fort Smith Comic Con. Visit the official website for tickets, schedules, and more information.