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

The aftermath of Black Friday

I’ll admit that I was a little bit crazy to volunteer to work Black Friday, but money is money right? Though trying to park to clock-in on time for my shift was a challenge and so was weaving my way through the mall between ladies’ massive Victoria’s Secret bags, parents wielding huge toy boxes from Target and everything else on sale being dragged down the walkways.

Photo Credit

I work at Justice, but that didn’t mean the clearance-searching maniacs steered clear of the store looking for better bargains, because in reality, the store was ultimate chaos.

The store looked much like any other 40% off sale or super clearance sale we ever have plus about ten times the people looking for holiday gifts, birthday gifts for next summer just because it was cheap, and parents taking their kids on shopping sprees and taking advantage of the sales.

Seeing all of the shoppers did make me jealous and the food court was just as insane and packed full of people and things. I should have contemplated going shopping instead because work was nothing short of hectic.

I remember a few years back, my mother and I had woken up at 4 a.m. to get the cheapest deal on Kitchen Aid mixers at Kohl’s. Apparently everyone else had seen the commercial on TV as well, because when we got there all they had was a huge line stretching around the entire store and sales that weren't worth waiting in line for. I don’t remember exactly, but I’m pretty positive we just went home after that.

Aside from working today and that one Kohl’s venture in the past, I haven’t really taken any intense trips to brave the Black Friday crowds unless I find something I really need or want for a great price, which is rare.

Things I have learned: Get up early because you still have a tiny chance at getting what you woke up for, be prepared to be patient and focused because everyone else wants what you want and make a list of what you’re after. I definitely lost count of how many parents walked into Justice today asking if we have any more of that one blue sweater you have to buy for all the girls in the family or if I can check back stock for the extra purses, because honestly, someone probably got to them first.

For those who were not braving the cold weather Friday morning, be sure to check out all the insane online deals today for Cyber Monday!!

Ashley Loose

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