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

Phoenix Blogger Series: Pink Slip Style

With bubblegum pink borders, colorful photos of chic ready-to-wear outfits and anecdotal entries detailing inspirational looks, it isn’t difficult for fashion fanatics to get wrapped up in Pink Slip Style, a Phoenix fashion blog.

In a city where fashion has been moved to back burner at many local publications, a haven for style news is being made on the web with the help of fashion blogging.

When the style section at the Arizona Republic folded this year, Casey Hagarty and Ginger Murphy, style section contributors, took their talent to the web and launched their blog, Pink Slip Style.

“We both had worked for the style section and we felt that now there was no fashion outlet,” Hagarty said. “For some reason, fashion is being pulled out of publications because no one is investing in luxury like they used to.”

Hagarty, whose style can be described as “eclectic and vintage inspired” said that a blog seemed like the best way to get the word out about fashion news here in Phoenix.

The blog is not only a creative outlet for the two fashion savvy women, but a business venture as well.

“With this blog we have been able to connect with a lot of businesses and now public relations,” Hagarty said. “People are sending us press releases and we are getting deals with local boutiques.”

Hagarty mentioned the freedom involved with blog writing as opposed to working for a publication.

“When working for a publication it becomes obligatory to write about the advertisers,” Hagarty said. “You can’t try out the products and experience them when you are with a publication.”

With a fan base established while working for The Arizona Republic, Hagarty and Murphy realized that they have a voice in the fashion industry here in Phoenix. Already, there have been 75 people that have subscribed to their blog since it was first launched this July.

Kira Brown, editor of the style section at Desert Living Today, a magazine that focuses on design, architecture, fashion and art, also has her own Phoenix based fashion blog, fashionphoenix.com.

Brown has worked with Hagarty and Murphy through Desert Living Today by featuring several of their reviews in the magazine.

“I love their blog,” Brown said. “You have to have variety, and in my own blog I have featured other people, it’s not just about you but also the industry.”

A blog can be used as a platform to the next step in a career, Brown said. Her own blog led her to her job now as style editor.

“You never know who will be looking and reading,” Brown said.

For those looking to start up their own fashion blog, Hagarty has a tip:

     “If you don’t have a big budget, you have to be informative,” Hagarty said. “Start off making it about other people, bargains and shops.”

Though the economy left Hagarty and Murphy out of a job, their passion for style still survives. The header on their blog reads their new mantra, “laid off an looking good.”

Newlin Tillotson 

Because I'm Addicted

 

One of my favorite bloggers is Geri Hirsch, who is also a loyal blogspot member. I ran across her blog via a tumblr follower. I love her post. They're inspirational and beautiful. The images are just stunning. I like going to various types of blogs. Some like THE CUT, NYMAGS jewel is perfect for fashion news while others like because I'm addicted are perfect go-to blogs that can refresh your wardrobe in a way you never imagined. It gives you the perspective of an LA girl in the fashion world. How could you not love her?

Check Geri Hirsh out at : 

http://becauseimaddicted.net/

Stay Classy and Fabulous darling fashionistas,

Jacqueline Valle