CUE

A NEW CUE WEEKLY HOME AND FASHION NEWS

A

llow us to introduce you to the new incarnation of CUE! Since, as we all know, style never sleeps, we’ve decided to dispense with the monthly supplement and take this thing weekly. We’ve snugly insinuated ourselves between Dining and Real Estate and plan to stay. You’ll be able to find us here in each issue.

Our goal is to cover fashion/style news as it relates to the local scene. To quote the immortal words of Led Zeppelin, we’ll “bring it on home,” translating national trends into local parlance.

From exciting buys for home and wardrobe to hot design ideas, we’ll cover it all in a timely, creative way. And, yes, not to worry, we will continue to bring you our popular By Design and Shop Dog features (the second week of every month and last week of every month, respectively). See you next week!

P.S. If there’s something pressing you think should be included in these pages, something that makes your design/ fashion nerve tingle, give us a shout: cue@arktimes.com

FEBRUARY 2, 2011

Katherine H. Wyrick

hearsay

Roots rock I

t’s time to return to your roots.

That’s because showing a little outgrowth is still hanging strong as one of the coolest hair trends of 2011.

Charity Foster of Tease Salon bares her roots.

37 FEBRUARY 2, 2011 • ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE ARKANSAS TIMES

Continued on page 39

➥ HGTV design star Vern Yip made an appearance at I.O. METRO on January 21 to announce his partnership with the Arkansas-based retailer and offer some design therapy. (We hear that he also made a purchase at Sweet Home/Clement during his stay.) See our interview in the next issue. ➥ In other I.O. METRO news, the privately held retailer, founded in 2005 by Jay Howard and Bill and Helen Benton, announced on January 21 that it has been acquired by Consumer Growth Partners and an investor group that includes Banyan Mezzanine Funds and Diamond State Ventures. ➥ We’re down about the closing of TOY UP. Little Rock’s fabulous toy store unfortunately shut its doors this past weekend. For all your Uglydoll needs (those cool Korean plushes loved by kids and adults alike), visit BOX TURTLE/CHEEKY MARSHMALLOWS or HEIGHTS TOY CENTER. ➥ POOR LITTLE RICH GIRL, a consignment shop in Hillcrest, caught fire on the night of January 14.

Firefighters don’t know what caused the fire, which was confined to the attic. Some merchandise was damaged.

No word yet on when they’ll reopen. ➥ Long-time retail expert JOE FLYE, 65, died on January 9. His interior design career spanned from his early days with John Simmons and Furniture à la Carte to his most recent position with COBBLESTONE AND VINE. ➥ Katy Perry’s new collection for OPI has proved tough (as nails) to find, but FRINGE BENEFITS promises that they are getting a shipment tout de suite! ➥ In more nail polish news, SEPHORA debuts “Glee” Nail Collection in February. “Glee” fans can soon wear their love for the show on their fingertips when Sephora, via its Sephora by OPI brand, launches a limited edition nail color collection in stores. ➥ MINX owner, the elusive Whitney Mosley, tells us that she’s contemplating a move to Louisiana to be near family, which means closing shop. She’s close-mouthed about when that might happen. ➥ WAL-MART opened a 3,500-sq-ft retail store on the UA Fayetteville campus.

bydesign

Joe’sTopSeven

BY KATHERINE WYRICK PHOTOGRAPHY BRIAN CHILSON

Comfort food

by design (n.) A place we check in with tastemakers about town, from decorators to clothes designers and others in between.

HOW THE WEST WAS WORN A local designer’s runway success

Brando Mark Twain Mountains, skiing Beautiful women Classic jazz L oyalty, commitment, tenacity and longevity

L

ocal belt maker Joe Brogdon is no stranger to success; in the past, his belts could be found in Fred Segal, on Rodeo Drive, and on the slender waists of Hollywood celebs. But even the lowkey Brogdon got excited when some of his wares were recently featured, in a big way, on the catwalk at Ralph Lauren’s Spring 2011 fashion show. A story about the show, including a plum shot of a Joeb belt, appeared in the February issue of WWD Collections (on stands now).

Brogdon was at Barnes and Noble when he made the discovery: a gorgeous full-page photo of a model sporting his substantial longhorn belt. “It blew me away! It’s really a great picture,” he enthuses. “WWD picked this shot over all the other 50 or 60 designs. I had no idea they were placing this image in WWD; the RL folks never mentioned it.”

The alliance with RL came about last February when Brogdon took part in a trade show in Santa Monica called Inspiration. He recalls that fortuitous encounter, “This guy approached me and said, ‘I like what you’re doing, I want to buy your belts,’ and I said, ‘Okay, who are you?’”

He was Doug Bihlmaier, the head of the RRL division of RL and, says Brogdon, “the guy in charge of the vintage doings for RL.” He bought six on the spot and sent four to the couture division. Joeb belts now grace the shelves of RRL stores in L.A., East Hampton and Manhattan.

Of his success, Joe deadpans, “My marketing technique is so sophisticated ... I get a bag full of belts, walk in and say ‘You like belts?’” All kidding aside, that’s exactly the way he got a boothold in one of Aspen’s premier boutiques, Distractions, where the celeb set has snapped up his belts for the past eight years. But even Brogdon, not easily star-struck, is pretty excited about the RRL venture.

He says, “They take ‘em as fast as I can make ‘em.”

The epicenter of fashion, New York, is, of course, a fur piece from the designer’s snug studio in his modest, eclectic Little Rock home. Here, a lamp with a cowboy shade illuminates the small space, which is packed with rows of leather belts and the tools of the trade. On his workbench sits a pair of old chaps with some of the studs removed.

Having rodeoed in his youth, Brogdon—wearing a pair of ’50s Levis, white cowboy boots and a snap button shirt— comes by his affinity for cowboy culture honestly.

The belt that Brogdon’s currently working on is 50-60 years old; he’s left the pockets intact and is in the process of embellishing it. Brogdon explains that since wider belts have become scare, he now uses chaps and harnesses.

“This one’s going to be a knockout,” he says admiringly, turning it over in his hands.

38 FEBRUARY 2, 2011 • ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE ARKANSAS TIMES

Joe B. in his home studio.

In the past, you could pick up a Joeb belt locally at Bauman’s, B. Barnett, or the now defunct Tallulah. Now online at joebrogdon. com is your only option—unless you should find yourself in certain tony boutiques on the East or West Coast or in upscale Aspen.

A model at Ralph Lauren’s 2011 spring show sports a Joeb belt.

And then, of course, there are the buckles—oh, the buckles!—an entire drawer full of them, gathered from estate sales, flea markets and elsewhere. He says that the good ones can cost thousands. This reporter’s favorite piece, however, is a vintage bridle with red hearts on it, whose purpose has yet to be determined. “I buy everything,” Joe says by way of explanation. This selfproclaimed pack rat loves poking through old stuff, and

it’s a hobby that’s paid off. “I’ve learned never to throw anything away,” he says.

An LPE (Licensed Psychological Examiner) in private practice, Brogdon started making belts as a hobby about ten years ago (though he actually made his first at age 18).

At the time he and his son were involved in the vintage Levis trade, which took them to flea markets in Pasadena.

There Brogdon saw belts selling for huge sums and thought, “I could make those.” A decade on, he’s created a cottage industry that gives old belts new life. “For lack of a better word, I reconfigure them,” he explains. “I put them together for a new look. That’s a little pretentious, that word, but that’s exactly what it is.” If there’s one thing Brodgon’s not, it’s pretentious—even with this foray into the heady world of high fashion. “I get excited and carried away with what I’m doing, but I don’t take myself too seriously,” he says. “You get in trouble when you start taking yourself too seriously.”

ROOTS

Continued from page 37 Stars like Gwyneth Paltrow and Sarah Jessica Parker are successfully pulling off visible roots, and it’s not because they can’t afford a trip to the salon. But can the not-so-rich and famous go this route?

Yes, say local stylists. (Though restrictions apply—read on.)

A throwback to the ‘70s and ‘80s, exposed roots give off that natural, earthy, boho vibe. That laissez-hair look. That je ne sais coiffe. And, of course it’s great if you’re on a budget and need to spread out the time between costly colorings. (Such is the hue economy.)

Charity Foster, the cutting-edge co-owner of Tease Salon, anticipated this trend way back when. Charity, who’s currently sporting newly painted on roots to great effect, says that it’s been slow to catch on in these parts but that clients are begin-

ning to show an interest. “It’s still so new for this area. We’re not talking platinum blonde with dark roots; it’s subtler than that. It’s a look that has a lot of benefits: it brings out your highlights, is healthier for your hair, looks stylish, and saves you money.”

A caveat: This style works best on women in their 20s and 30s (and a handful of cool 40ish types). It also works better on some hair colors and textures than others. Exposed roots tend to look particularly striking on blondes because of the contrast, but on a brunette, they can look, well . . . gray (eek!). Keep in mind length, too; shoulder length or longer hair works best.

And finally, if you do decide to let those roots show, take precautionary measures to make sure you end up looking trendy rather than tacky. Like an English garden, the look should be one of cultivated neglect. A competent stylist can help guide the way.

Okey Tokidoki T

okidoki first appeared in this area in Christina McGehee’s superchic (and sorely missed) boutique, Tallulah. McGehee introduced shoppers to this cult favorite via cool graphic tees and dresses.

Though now you can’t find the brand’s apparel anywhere around here, you can at least get a taste of tokidoki at Sephora in Park Plaza, which recently began selling their cosmetics and accessories. Think of them as edgy, anime-inspired items for grown-ups. (Because after a certain age you have to give up the Hello Kitty. Sorry, you just do.)

Founded in 2003 by designer Simone Legno and his partners Pooneh Mohajer and Ivan Arnold, the brand’s cult cache has fueled high-profile collaborations with Karl Lagerfeld, LeSportsac, Onitsuka Tiger, Marvel, Levi’s and Skullcandy among others.

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Sweet

Somethings

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weet nothings are nice, but sweet somethings are better! Everyone appreciates a little token of affection from time to time; hear are but a few.

These South Sea gold pink pearl earrings set in 14K gold scallop posts are sure to leave your Valentine tickled pink. NEW ORLEANS ANTIQUES

These cute rose rings have lipgloss inside to prepare for that V-day smooch. BOX TURTLE

Sweets for your sweet from RIVER CITY GIFT CO. This quaint shop has Valentine’s Day all wrapped up!

Handwired with crystal rose montee, baroque glass pearls and a braided chain strand, this gold Miriam Haskell Floral Cluster necklace from BARBARA JEAN will make her swoon—or let your sweetheart do the choosing with a gift certificate!

Wear your heart on your sleeve, or lapel, with the Key to My Heart pin by Mullanium.

ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER MUSEUM SHOP

Giant heart post-its let you proclaim your love loud and clear.

BOX TURTLE

Sofia Minis offer single-servings of the effervescent Sofia Blanc de Blancs. Each dazzling pink can comes with its own straw for sipping! COLONIAL WINE & SPIRITS

Congratulations, Honey!

I

n December, Pantone, the self-proclaimed “global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries,” crowned honeysuckle the color of the year. Through tears, a very grateful honeysuckle thanked her parents (Red and Pink), applauded the other colors for their effort and gave a shout out to Mother Nature.

Before we continue, a clarification is in order: honeysuckle is not, as one might assume, yellow, but instead a reddish pink, a color described as encouraging, uplifting, even captivating—a color that serves as a harbinger of the spring and summer days to come. It derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most visceral of hues. Festive reddish pink allures and engages. Just ask the hummingbird. It’s the color of the flower, not its sweet fragrance, that draws this diminutive beauty to the nectar.

Honeysuckle has already hit the red carpet, making an appearance at this year’s Golden Globes; Claire

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Danes, Natalie Portman, Lea Michele and Julianne Moore all wore tones of pink ranging from pale to fiery fuschia on the red carpet.

This color translates to both fashion and interiors.

This year look for women’s accessories, home furnishings, and clothing in this warm tone.

Honeysuckle is guaranteed to produce a healthy glow when worn by both men and women. It’s a striking, eye-catching hue that works well for day and night in women’s apparel and cosmetics, and in men’s ties, shirts and sportswear. Add a lively touch to interior spaces with honeysuckle-patterned pillows, bedspreads, small appliances and tabletop accessories. Looking for an inexpensive way to perk up your home? Paint a wall in honeysuckle for a dynamic burst of energy in the family room, kitchen or hallway. Feeling nostalgic?

Watch “Honeysuckle Rose” with Dyan Cannon and Willie Nelson. Now there’s some fashion inspiration for you. (Hello bandana; it’s been way too long.)

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This vintage butterfly dress is a shining example of honeysuckle.

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40 FEBRUARY 2, 2011 • ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE ARKANSAS TIMES

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