CARTI Hosts Festival of Fashion in Little Rock
The runway show, part of CARTI's 50th Annual Festival of Trees, featured looks from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Accessories
CARTI Cancer Center hosted its Festival of Fashion on Friday at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. Central Arkansas boutiques showed the season's newest styles in a runway show presented by Inviting Arkansas.
Why it matters
The event raised funds for cancer care and research, supporting CARTI's patient services across the state. It is one of the events in the three-day Festival of Trees, which marks its 50th anniversary this year.
The festival is a three-day, three-event fundraiser presented by CARTI Auxiliary, and CARTI operates 15 patient service locations across Arkansas. The amount raised by the Festival of Fashion and the silent auction has not been reported.
The players
CARTI Cancer Center
CARTI is a cancer treatment and research organization that operates patient service sites across Arkansas, established in 1976.
Carrie Smalling
Smalling is president of CARTI Auxiliary and chairs the festival's silent auction, having worked on the Festival of Fashion since 2012.
The details
The show's theme, 'What Goes Around Comes Around,' featured looks inspired by the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. A silent auction of decorated Christmas trees was held alongside the event, chaired by Carrie Smalling, president of CARTI Auxiliary, who has worked on the Festival of Fashion since 2012.
Timeline
CARTI was established in 1976.
Carrie Smalling began working on the Festival of Fashion in 2012.
Festival of Fashion was held Friday, November 13, 2026, at the Statehouse Convention Center.
Tux 'n Trees Gala continues Saturday, November 14, 2026.
Festival of Trees events conclude Sunday, November 15, 2026, and decorated trees are delivered to auction winners.
Season Trajectory
The fashion show is one of three events in CARTI's 50th annual Festival of Trees, a fundraising tradition that has run alongside the organization's growth since 1976. Its timing ahead of the holiday season positions it within the region's year-end charity calendar.
Central Arkansas shoppers can view the season's newest boutique styles at events like this one, and the festival's proceeds support cancer care at CARTI locations across the state. The decorated Christmas trees from the silent auction will be delivered to winners after the weekend's events conclude on Sunday.
The takeaway
Supporting local charity events like the Festival of Trees is one practical way Little Rock residents can help fund cancer care while shopping for the season.
Further reading
Browse more Accessories trends and events from around the Little Rock area.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ArkansasOnline.
