ELIZA Magazine’s Founder/Editor-in-Chief, Summer Bellessa, recently moved to the Valley from Los Angeles. I had the great opportunity to meet her at Scottsdale Fashion Week and to find out more about ELIZA and her move…

ELIZA is a fashion magazine focusing on the sexy, classy and covered-up modern woman that describes itself by saying, “We continue to pick up the scent of fashion and modesty and deliver it to your door season to season.” The publication and its focus on modesty has been mentioned in Newsweek, The Huffington Post, Good Morning America and more about its role in the “modest movement.”

Why did you decide to relocate here to the Valley? Mostly for personal reasons.

Are you planning to incorporate the local industry in ELIZA? Yes, we are open to shooting on location here and featuring as much talent as we can.

When did you start the magazine? ELIZA has been in print for almost 3 years.

Is it available in town yet? The easiest way to get the magazine is to subscribe at www.elizamagazine.com.

You are the Founder, but did you start the magazine with investors or another media group behind you? No, just me and a group of talented freelancers. Awesome!

Who is your favorite couture designer? Jason Wu and Milly.  Who is your favorite everyday designer? H&M, cheap and chic.

Who is your dream interviewee? Cate Blanchett. She is one of my role models.

What do you predict for the fashion future of Phoenix? With smaller markets it’s easy to predict – look at what LA is doing, which looks to New York for inspiration. Trickle down fashionomics.

Any suggestions to local fashionistas? The most fashionable people beat to their own drum. Don’t be a follower; be inventive. Instead of checking out the mall, check thrift stores or learn to sew.

More about ELIZA Magazine from their website…

ELIZA Magazine is created for women who want to be stylish, sexy, and engaged in the world while retaining high standards in dress, entertainment, and lifestyle. In a media culture that frequently objectifies and commercializes women and their bodies, ELIZA strives to provide an alternative to the current mainstream media that emphasizes sex and skin in order to push products or sell magazines.

ONE LUCKY FASHION PHOENIX VIP WILL WIN A SUBSCRIPTION TO  ELIZA MAGAZINE! CHECK YOUR INBOX TODAY!!

0 comments permalink |  7:05 AM |  1.8.2010 | 

I need this today….

The Perfect Fit Button – www.perfectfitbutton.tv

0 comments permalink |  7:20 AM |  1.6.2010 | 

Wow! I am off to a uncharacteristically late start this year! It’s the 6th and just getting into the swing of things…starting 2010 off on the wrong foot, as some would say, but definitely not the wrong shoes!

I would like to blame my tardiness and lack of organization on our hometown airlines, US Airways, and their sudden cancellation of my return flight from Florida on Sunday. I just looooooved getting a 3 p.m. call on Saturday afternoon as I’m relaxing on the beach that my Sunday morning flight was canceled! If that wasn’t enough, the airline reservation agent said he were sure he could get me and my family out by Thursday at the latest! WHAT!! Um, that’s not going to work for me…

So after much ado and many phone calls, 3 tickets to Phoenix were found out of Orlando – 3 hours from our hotel in Fort Lauderdale. Nice. I’ll spare you the depressing details of my “Plane, Trains & Automobiles” experience to get home (and believe me – my day was straight out of the movie!)

As I quickly schlept through the terminal carrying my 40 pound child, my overstuffed Michael Kors purse and my son’s jam-packed Superman back pack, I had a quiet little moment of gratitude to the fashion gods, as the gate agent bellowed my name to get on the plane immediately, for throwing on my old Ryka running shoes that morning. And as I continued to inch towards the gate, sweating and gasping for air, I was soooo glad to have chosen the functionality of my running shoes, over the fabulosity of the unathletic pair of black knee-high boots I had considered. Sometimes you have to choose between functionality and fabulosity. Of course, achieving both is the goal, but making the right decision when forced to can make or break your outfit and your attitude.

And that’s definitely one of my goasl this new year – achieving a personal balance of functionality and fabulosity. And though I started this little note thinking I was starting 2010 off on the wrong foot, as I’m ending my thoughts, it occurs to me that I may just be off to a running start!

0 comments permalink |  7:13 AM |  1.6.2010 | 

Special thanks to…

Peter Harden – The REAL Santa of Scottsdale Fashion Square

Westcor

Christos Sewell – Photography and Photoshop God

Jill DeAndrea – Wardrobe / Styling / Fabulosity

Holli Christensen of Kensington Makeup – Makeup and Hair

Amelia Walsh – Gorgeous Green Silk Dress

Beth Church – Peacock Earrings and Shoes

Lydia Storer – Amazing emerald and diamond ring. To Die!

Extra Special Thanks to Blufish Design Studio

0 comments permalink |  11:36 AM |  12.23.2009 |