Kansas.com: Bonnie Bing

Bonnie Bing/The Wichita Eagle — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:05 CST

Scott Barber saw a void in the menswear market and filled it making high quality clothes in the business casual category.

Men's designer Barber says he just likes the 'good stuff'

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:05 CST

Scott Barber has his name on all of his clothes, and it's not because he's been to camp. The Scott Barber label has been around since 1994, featuring shirts, slacks, sweaters, knit shirts and jackets that are sold in 450 stores coast to coast.

In Wichita, Gentry Ltd. is one of those stores, so Scott was in town recently for a trunk show.

In my opinion, the best thing about menswear is the fabric. And Scott loves beautiful fabrics. He's particularly well known for his stylish shirts, and some men have a dozen or more of them.

Plenty of good salesclerks out there in stores

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:06 CST

Many of those experienced in the art of shopping called after reading last week's column dealing with getting help finding or buying merchandise.

"Right on, girlfriend!" Faith James said in a voicemail. "A huge, hearty Amen!" said Eleanor Franz, who called very early in the a.m. because she couldn't sleep.

Frances Kozicki made it clear in her e-mail that she hates to shop and the dislike is worse when she goes in a super-size store and can't find what she wants. "I usually just leave," she said.

A little help from a clerk wouldn't hurt

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:07 CST

The woman balked at the door of a local department store and told her companion — maybe a friend, perhaps her daughter — that she just couldn't go in.

"I don't want to," she said. "I'll just wait. I can never find anything in all that stuff."

By all that stuff, she meant everything for sale inside that store. Her companion urged her on, saying the store wasn't very crowded and they could take their time shopping. But the hesitant woman won in the end, and I heard her say the word "overwhelming" as the two departed.

Funny friends make life easier

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:02 CST

People who have good friends are fortunate. I'm fortunate, but I feel even more so because so many of my friends are funny.

All of them are not crazy, knee-slapping, wild funny, but just funny.

Lately, for one reason or another, I've noticed my pals are a bunch of entertaining people.

Fashion show provides wows at ArtAID event

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:06 CDT

ArtAID. You have to see it to believe it. Every year I go to many local events, but some of them are standouts. ArtAID, a benefit for Positive Directions, tops the "wow" category. This year it was Oct. 10 at the Cotillion.

The event included a live auction that raised $55,000. While that was exciting, for many of the 1,400 attending, the highlight again this year was the fashion show.

The ArtAID show is not just any fashion show, but instead a production that sends the audience into near sensory overload. The music is loud, the lighting is stupendous, the models range from outrageously beautiful to simply outrageous. Add dancers to the mix — and this year a stage with a trampoline — and you get an experience not soon forgotten.

Organization a problem for the woman who has everything

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:05 CDT

Are you one of those people who can look at something you own and decide to get rid of it once you've determined you don't need it today, or tomorrow? You toss it, or give it away, and then it's gone.

How do you do that? I'm not exactly a pack rat, but boy, I have stuff (mainly clothes and accessories) that I've had forever and just don't seem to be able to part with.

For example, I got a leather jacket in London 24 years ago that has giant shoulders and is sort of blouson. It may be back in style someday, but I'm not betting on it.

Talking is getting pushed aside by texting

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:07 CDT

I was concerned before, and I've written a little bit about it, but a roomful of seventh-graders really cranked my head around.

I'm worried about communication skills going the way of the 8-track tape player.

When I was the guest speaker in Mrs. Sanders' social studies class at Hadley Middle School last week, I asked how many of the students had a cell phone.

Diane, Charlie don't know they're my pals

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:06 CDT

How can it be? I go on vacation and come home to find out that Diane Sawyer is leaving "Good Morning, America"? What?

And Charlie Gibson is not going to be on the evening news? I can't stand it.

These are two people I know personally. They are my friends! They probably aren't aware of that fact, but I rationalize it by noting that I have met both of them up close and personal. Well, up close anyway.