Northwest Arkansas Fashion Week returns to its in-person runway event for the first time since 2019. The shows will take place March 10-12 at contemporary art venture The Momentary in Bentonville, Arkansas. This year marks the debut runway event presented by INTERFORM, which formed in 2021 as a merger between Arkansas Arts & Fashion Forum (AAFF) and Northwest Arkansas Fashion Week (NWAFW).
NWAFW Spring 2022 will showcase the talent of new and emerging designers as well as returning designers looking to make an impact on the apparel industry. It is set to be the most ambitious, far-reaching and industry-connected event in its almost 10-year history. INTERFORM will welcome CFDA CEO Steven Kolb to the region and to the runways! He will attend two nights of runway shows featuring designers from INTERFORM’s own designer residency program, EMERGE, as well as talent from across the region and country.
NWA Fashion Week At-A-Glance
Thursday, March 10th
Thursday’s runway will feature a range of regional and national artists, including a collection from The Transition Closet, a free closet for people going through transitions. The collection will feature an entire cast of transgender models and clients of the Closet. 10 percent of all proceeds from the opening night will be donated to The Transition Closet to support their efforts in the community and across the globe.
Friday, March 11th
Friday night is headlined by Walmart Beauty Aisle and features Bryce Arroyos, who will also have an art exhibit titled, Waste Garden, which opened at the Momentary in late February. See the collections of the INTERFORM Sewn Trades classes, free programs that give tangible, professional sewing experience to the Marshallese and Congolese communities in Northwest Arkansas.
Saturday, March 12th
Saturday night is headlined by New York-based designer Rinat Brodach, who was on Amazon Prime’s Making the Cut and whose genderless looks have been worn by stars including Gladys Knight, Dascha Polanco, and Billy Porter.
Through robust programming, education, and advocacy of underrepresented creatives, INTERFORM has been hard at work to support and develop the regional fashion landscape. NWAFW Spring 2022 is showcasing talent traveling from Kansas City, California, New York, and as far away as the Bahamas aimed at bringing a breath of fresh air of arts and fashion to the NWA region. INTERFORM is a founding member of CFDA Connects. “The CFDA Connects program has helped significantly in sourcing, connecting with, and placing accredited design talent into our designer residency program with the goal of educating and uplifting local aspiring designers,” said INTERFORM Director of Development Meagan Zavala.
For more information about NWA Fashion Week and INTERFORM, please visit: www.interform.art