DRESSING ROOM: Shoe shopping with a purpose

Helaine Williams

LITTLE ROCK — The Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences will once again be a beneficiary for FFANY Shoes on Sale, the fundraiser held by the Fashion Footwear Association of New York and shopping channel QVC. The event will air 6-9 p.m. Oct. 13 on QVC.

More than 100,000 pairs of shoes will be sold during the three-hour broadcast. Brands to be represented include Nine West, Michael by Michael Kors, Coach Footwear and AK Anne Klein. Net proceeds will go to various breast cancer research and educational institutions.

During the past 15 years, QVC and FFANY have donated more than $30 million to the cause.

MORE FOR THE CAUSE

Here are a few other fashion and beauty-related October promotions for Breast Cancer Awareness Month:

Sister stores Chico’s and White House Black Market are creating limited-edition collections to benefit the organization Living Beyond Breast Cancer. Chico’s offers its Girls in Pearls Collection, consisting of bracelet and earrings, while White House Black Market has its Give Hope Collection - jeans, watch, T-shirt and key ring. Both retailers will donate net proceeds from the sale of these collections to the organization.

Shopping network HSN (hsn.com) has its third Shop for the Cure initiative. The initiative’s five partners will offer a selection of products and contribute $50,000 each to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Products include the Elariia Snowdrop Set, $36.50; Serious Skin Care Set, $79.95; Carol’s Daughter Hair Care Set, $49; Jay King Amethyst Necklace Set, $159.90; and Studio Barse Freeform Agate Necklace & Earrings Kit, $99.90.

Dermelect Cosmeceuticals offers its Cleavage Contour Cream, $40 at dermelect.com. The product revitalizes, tones and moisturizes the decollete area. One hundred percent of sales will be donated to the Young Survival Coalition (youngsurvival. org).m Philosophy has two products raising money for breast-cancer research: its perennial favorite, Shower for the Cure ($20), a combination shower gel/shampoo/bubble bath; and She Colors My Day ($20), a skin-pampering bubble bath complete with bubble-gum scent. All net proceeds go to the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Women’s Cancer Research Fund. Visit Dillard’s, Sephora or J.C. Penney stores; Little Rock’s and Fayetteville’s Glo Limited; Fayetteville’s Luxe Derma Spa & Beauty Lounge; or Philosophy.com.

Natural-skin-care company Suki has partnered with Breast Cancer Action to urge women to “think before you pink.” Through November, Suki is donating the proceeds of its two best-sellers - Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser and Sensitive Cleansing Bar - to the “Think Before You Pink” campaign, whose mission is to decrease environmental exposure to chemicals that may play a hand in causing breast cancer. The Suki line is available at Strokes of Beauty Cosmetic Laser Clinic in Hot Springs and Sukipure.com.

You can also “shop pink” for fashion, beauty and other items, with sales benefiting The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, at bcrfcure. org.

NO ROLLIN’

Cacique, the intimate apparel brand for plus-size women, announces its new Back Smoothing Bra. The garment boasts a patent pending Lycra 2.0 garment technology that helps to “smooth things over.” Cursed with a back that resembles that of the Michelin Man, I had to try this product and can honestly say that it made me look decent in a close-fitting top. The Back Smoothing Bra is available in basic colors ($40) and a faux lace print ($44), sizes 36C-46DDD, at Lane Bryant and Cacique stores, LaneBryant.com and Cacique.com.

WALK THAT EXTRA MILE

In recognition of National Boot Week, shoe lovers are invited to recycle their gently worn boots at Bakers stores through Oct. 13. These will be donated to Soles4Souls (soles4souls.org), which collects shoes and distributes them to people in need. Bakers will give each donating customer 10 percent off a pair of new boots. In addition, $1 donations will be taken at the register.

Arkansas Bakers locations include Park Plaza in Little Rock and Pinnacle Hills Promenade in Rogers.

NEW SHOPPIN’ HOLE

Gordmans Inc., an Omaha, Neb.-based apparel and home fashions retailer, opened Sept. 17 in the Shackleford Crossing Shopping Center, 2616 S. Shackleford Road, Little Rock.

Also located in Rogers, Gordmans features the latest styles and name brands for all ages - at up to 60 percent off department and specialty store prices - as well as footwear, fragrances, jewelry and more. All Gordmans stores feature a children’s theater and sports-themed television viewing area. Visit gordmans.com.

DRESSING ROOM PICKS

My husband and I recently toured the “World of the Pharaohs” exhibit at the Arkansas Arts Center and found the gift-store shopping as intriguing, in its own way, as the exhibit. We fell upon two jewelry pieces: For me, a beautiful beaded, multicolored and scarab-laced Egyptian collar whose puny $22 price tag was a very pleasant surprise. For him, a long, tri-tone, metal-disc necklace that can be molded into various designs, $25.

The exhibit runs through July 5, so there’s plenty of shopping time. See arkarts.com for ticket information.

Dressing Room is published biweekly. Got fashion and beauty news? Know of any previously unmentioned Arkansas outlets for a featured item? Contact Helaine R. Williams, Dressing Room, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203, or e-mail:

hwilliams@arkansasonline.com