Creating a Fashion and Art Experience in Little Rock
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Left to right: Kimberly Cyr, Sarah Oden, Korto Momolu and Cat Sims.
When three visionary hosts approached Meredith Events to help bring their artistic dreams to life, we knew this would be no ordinary event. "Revival: An Evening of Art and Fashion" challenged our team to create an immersive experience that would blend high fashion, visual art, culinary mastery, and philanthropy into one unforgettable evening. The result? A transformative gathering that established a new standard for creative events in Little Rock.
Rochelle Johnson with @iambeauticurve walks the red carpet wearing Korto Momolu with her husband Mike Johnson at Revival: An Evening of Art & Fashion.
The Vision: Fashion Meets Philanthropy
Revival began with a clear vision from hosts Cat Sims, Kimberly Cyr, and Sarah Oden: create an evening that would showcase Arkansas's artistic talent while supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Cat Sims, serving as Philanthropy Coordinator, ensured the charitable component remained central to the evening. Kimberly Cyr brought her expertise as Wardrobe Stylist, curating fashion elements that would impress even the most discerning attendees. Sarah Oden, as Creative Coordinator and owner of AVA Model Management, provided the artistic direction that tied every element together.
The event's timing was deliberately synchronized with fashion's biggest night in New York. While the Met Gala unfolded in Manhattan, we projected it live on the venue wall, creating a unique experience where guests could simultaneously participate in both a local and global celebration of fashion. This connection to the broader fashion world elevated our local event while providing inspiration and conversation throughout the evening.
Left to right: Hosts Sarah Oden, Cat Sims and Kimberly Cyr.
The Event Planning Challenge
Transforming a standard office space into a sophisticated venue worthy of a high-fashion event required meticulous planning and creative problem-solving. Our first challenge was reimagining the space itself. Tanarah Luxe Floral designed dramatic floral installations that completely transformed the environment, creating visually stunning focal points throughout the venue.
Managing the evening's flow presented another challenge: how to showcase art, fashion, culinary presentations, and live models while maintaining an atmosphere conducive to socializing and charitable giving. Our solution was a carefully choreographed sequence of reveals and experiences that guided guests through the evening without ever feeling programmed or rigid.
Model, Andi Chappell, wears fashion brand Korto Momolu featured in World Encounter magazine.
The Fashion & Art Integration
What set Revival apart from typical fundraising events was its seamless integration of fashion and art. Project Runway star Korto Momolu showcased exceptional designs, including a sophisticated floor-length black crepe gown with lace detailing worn by model Andi Chappell and an avant-garde brocade ensemble featuring a flowing wrap skirt and faux leather bustier worn by fashion influencer Rochelle Johnson.
Fashion designer Souq contributed stunning pieces, while accessories from OFaolain, Lydia Elsa Martin, and Laura B Luxury added sophisticated finishing touches. These fashion elements were complemented by carefully curated artwork from Stephen Wilson Studio, Alecia Walls-Barton, Kvinna Studio, Jaird Art, and Hannah Hill Art. Live models circulated throughout the event, creating living art installations that brought the fashion to life.
The Culinary Experience
Vibrant Occasions Catering designed food presentations that were as much performance art as they were culinary offerings. Chef Serge Krikorian created interactive stations including a live mozzarella-making display and a dramatic flaming parmesan wheel that became focal points for guest engagement. Each culinary element was timed to complement the evening's flow, ensuring that food and beverage service enhanced rather than interrupted the artistic experience.
Have Bar Will Travel provided expert mixology services, while De Nux Distributor and So Restaurant + Bar contributed fine wines and spirits that perfectly complemented the sophisticated menu.
Vibrant Occasions Catering featured dishes for the evening showcased in World Encounter Magazine.
Technical Production & Documentation
Events of this caliber require flawless technical execution. Central Arkansas Entertainment, and DJ JellyBean, provided music that maintained the perfect energy throughout the evening but also essential production elements like the glossy vinyl red carpet and stanchions that created a VIP arrival experience.
Documenting an event with so many visual elements was crucial for both immediate social media impact and longer-term promotional materials. Lori Sparkman Photography captured stunning still images that were featured in multiple publications, while Weaver Films created dynamic video content that continues to showcase the event's sophistication through their expertly-produced highlights.
DJ Jellybean with Central Arkansas Entertainment spins tunes at Revival: An Evening of Art & Fashion.
Brian Weaver with Weaver Films captured the fun with video highlights.
The Results: A New Standard for Creative Events
Revival exceeded expectations across all metrics. The event:
Created a sophisticated platform for showcasing local fashion designers, artists, and creative professionals
Raised funds and awareness for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Generated extensive media coverage in publications including Inviting Arkansas, Little Rock Soirée, 360 Magazine, and World Encounter
Established new connections between previously disconnected creative communities
Demonstrated that Little Rock could host fashion events rivaling those of major metropolitan areas
Most importantly, Revival proved that when exceptional planning meets creative vision, transformative experiences can happen anywhere—even in markets not traditionally associated with high fashion.
The Collaborative Spirit
What made Revival truly special was the collaborative spirit of all involved. Every vendor, artist, designer, and model contributed their talents with extraordinary generosity and enthusiasm. Many provided services pro bono to support the charitable cause, demonstrating the power of creative communities coming together for a common purpose.
This generosity of spirit extended to the guests themselves, who embraced the event's encouragement to express themselves through fashion in ways rarely seen at traditional Arkansas functions. The result was an evening where everyone—hosts, vendors, models, and guests alike—felt part of something special and meaningful.
As event planners, we often measure success by the seamlessness of execution, but Revival reminded us that true success comes from creating environments where creativity, philanthropy, and community converge to create moments of genuine connection and inspiration.
Meredith Corning is the founder of Meredith Events, a boutique event planning firm specializing in high-profile creative events. Please note that Meredith Events exclusively plans events for Meredith Corning PR clients and does not accept one-off events.
Hosts and Sponsors
Host & Philanthropy Coordinator: Cat Sims @catsimsxoxo
Host & Wardrobe Stylist: Kimberly Cyr @kimberlycyr
Host & Creative Coordinator: Sarah Oden @sarahoden_photo
Catering: Vibrant Occasions @vibrantoccasionscatering
Venue: Jill White Designs @jillwhitedesigns
Bar: Have Bar Will Travel @havbarwilltrvl
Alcohol: De Nux Distributor @de_nux and So Restaurant + Bar @so_restaurantlr
Photographer: Lori Sparkman Photography @lorisparkmanphotography
Planner: Meredith Events @meredithevents
Public Relations: Meredith Corning PR @meredithcorningpr
Floral Designer: Tanarah Luxe Floral @tanarahluxefloral
Production and DJ: Central Arkansas Entertainment @cae_lr and DJ JellyBean @djjbean
Rentals: Mack 365 Designs @mack365designs_
Videography: Weaver Films @weaverfilms
Model Agency: AVA Model Management @avamgmt
Stylist Assistant: Alexa Hart @alexa_hart_
Fashion Participants
Fashion Contributor: B.Barnett @bbarnettlr
Fashion Designer: Korto Momolu @kortomomolu
Fashion Designer: Souq @souq.studio
Handbag Designer: OFaolain @ofaolainleather
Jewelry Designer: Lydia Elsa Martin @lydiaelsamartin
Jewelry Designer: Laura B Luxury @laurabluxury
Artists
Stephen Wilson Studio @stephenwilsonstudio, Alecia Walls-Barton
@pressedflowergal, Kvinna Studio @kvinna_studio, Jaird Art @jairdart, Hannah Hill Art @hannahhillcreations
Models:
@catsimsxoxo, @kimberlycyr, @sarahoden_photos, @andi_k_chappell, @iambeauticurve, @beautyandthe.belle, @dlizzzzzz, @celestejoliee, @javonwallace_, @erica_watkins