Phoenix Blogger Series: Indie Stitch

As what is described as a collaborative to help push local fashion forward, Indie Stitch creates an outlet for local bloggers and fashion fans to experience all that Phoenix has to offer.

While Phoenix isn’t globally known as a fashion capital, the local style scene is definitely something to consider. Without the help of internationally known magazines and style icons, Phoenix’s main fashion expression comes from its local bloggers and followers.

Indie Stitch creator Dustin Hoyman started out in the marketing field and always had a taste for fashion and a passion for art. But it wasn’t until his first run at Phoenix Fashion week nearly four years ago that he really jumped into the local fashion scene.

“I kind of tripped and fell into it,” Hoyman said. “I just fell in love with it, fell in love with the people and just really wanted to support it.”

Photo courtesy of Hoyman

Born and raised in Phoenix, Hoyman’s love of the city is what fueled him to bring awareness to all the local art. He saw the potential the valley had to really become a staple in the fashion world on a larger scale.

“I really want to bring fashion into Phoenix,” Hoyman said. “Nobody gives Phoenix any credit…we have a uniqueness to us and it’s always growing and getting better.” 

Indie Stitch came about in the last few years from Hoyman’s innate desire to bring attention to Phoenix fashion even though as Hoyman said he isn’t as into the fashion specifically as he is into the whole scene.

Thuy An Bui, a contributing blogger for Indie Stitch, said the blog is all about support for local art, whether it’s fashion trends or events and it’s the devotion of the bloggers that has made it such a well-known aspect of Phoenix fashion and style.

“Phoenix really has something but we haven’t done as much in the past to promote it on a wider scale.” Bui said. “With Indie Stitch we want people to see that we have a real fashion scene here and there’s more to Phoenix than what people expect.”       

Hoyman said he wanted to bring in contributors to his site to really expose them to the industry and bring more and more notoriety to their ideas and writing. He said Indie Stitch was and is about connections.

“Everybody wants to support each other…It’s more based on community than competition,” Hoyman said. “Most people want to help build this community and push it forward.”

Photo courtesy of Scottsdale Fashionista

Indie Stitch has proven itself to be a real outlet for the local fashion community and continues to grow and bring attention to the Phoenix style scene.

Vanja Veric

Scottsdale Fashion Week

Story by: Emily Timm

Although it has been wildly delayed, I am excited to let you in on the secret for this next year of fashion. Sadly I was not able to take any pictures at the Scottsdale Fashion Week, carrying around a camera would have been too cumbersome for all the running around I did—I didn’t have enough pockets! But fear not, pictures or no pictures, here is the key to the next purchases you make…

Baring bellies are out…as in way out. Cover them up with a huge waist belt or high right jeans. High-rise is back in style ladies! This is great news for people like me, who have a curvy body. It’s time to accent tiny wastes and voluptuous hips again. Feeling a little straight hipped? Head over to one of the Yogalaties classes at the YMCA. Yoga and Pilates strengthen the very inner muscles of your core and shape you up to make all the newest styles fit perfectly.

Working down, open-toed shoes are absolutely out-especially for the winter. Unless they are the new open-toed ankle boot or the overly strappy (and equally slimming for the ankle/foot region) stiletto pumps. When you’re spending the night out go for the high-heeled boots, or in the afternoon a small heel if none at all. Closed toed shoes will keep you about 10 degrees warmer than an open toed heel. So definitely opt for the closed toed boot if you’re going to wear a skimpy love-top under a light-weight jacket. Ps: the higher the boot, the longer and leaner your legs look and the shorter the boot the smaller your ankles appear.

Since we live in Arizona, don’t put those dark and warm-colored, short dresses into the back of the closet just yet. Pair it with a crop jacket, tights or leggings, and any boot (just make sure the legging or tight goes all the way into the boot-resist the 2 inches of bare leg!). Still think you’ll be a little chilly? Grab a scarf and wrap it around your neck. Scarves have about the same temperature effect as closed toed shoes, you’ll be surprised how warm it will keep you!

Colors are pretty much all over the board this year. The designers kept them bright and bold, but don’t get too out of hand. Keep the baby blues and soft pinks in the drawers until Spring and stick to as many warm colors as possible. Purple seems to be the nations favorite as of now. It’s eye-catching yet subtle, and it truly brightens every skin color. Jewelry is staying bright and flashy too, but designers are scaling down to one key piece instead of a lot of chunky ones. Tip: long necklaces are still loved and gold is back!