Tampa Bay Style Magazine by xiaopeng wang

TAMPA BAY

STYLE

the green

issue

eco fashion nature-inspired trends earth-friendly style tips

$ 4.95

Illustration by Natalia Galbetti

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Welcome to

Tampa Bay Style

ilan, Paris, London, New York. These are all cities that evoke fashion. Their sound immediately brings images of runways, models, couture ateliers and editors busily walking by, their stilettos clinking on the sidewalks full of elegance and self-confidence. Not all cities have that flare, that classic sophistication and chic je ne sais quoi. In fact, most cities don’t. But I’ve always been a believer that fashion is where the stylish are and no matter what your geographic location, there will always be a way to put on some fabulous shoes, pair it with an amazing outfit and feel like you’re bringing that little piece of a fashion Mecca to wherever you might be. That is why I started Tampa Bay Style. In a city where flip flops and cutoffs are the look du jour and sun screen is the must have item of pretty much every season, you’ll always run into someone who makes Florida weather the setting of an outstanding resort collection-inspired look or who turns the relaxed beachy attitude and turns it into a unique bohemian-chic meets nautical-preppy style. Fashion is their passion and they won’t let a little humidity get in the way of fabulousness. This magazine is for all of those people. All who find style is something you own. All who think beauty doesn’t have to be purchased at a department store counter. All who know being chic is for those who can be stylish and beautiful anywhere, whether it be Milan, Paris, London, New York or Tampa Bay.

Editor-in-Chief and Publisher Natalia Galbetti

Currently reading: “The Kind Diet” by Alicia Silverstone She’s come a long way since Clueless and now Silverstone is schooling readers in how to lead a healthy and kind lifestyle by being vegan. The book is a great resource on how to make the switch and has yummy recipes for beginners.

“If you have to cry go outside” by Kelly Cutrone

The ultimate power-chick guide to life, this book has the same attitude as Cutrone has become famous for: a no BS, straight to the point, take it or leave it way of telling girls how to get what they want.

TAMPA BAY

STYLE

About this issue We hear about people doing their part for saving the world every day. Form recycling to reducing your carbon footprint, eating healthier foods or just taking a reusable bag to the supermarket. But somehow, we never hear about how fashion fits into the equation. In this issue, we end that. One of our featured local designers, Kimberly Hendrix, uses recycled fabrics to make new designs. In the beauty section, we explore the wonders of switching to natural home-made soap and tell you about the best places in Tampa Bay to get your toes ready to hit the beach (after saving the earth, what’s better than enjoying its amazing assets?). Leslie Belcher, featured on the Accessory Report, takes her inspiration from Mother Nature herself and in the Shopping Guide, Buffalo Gal Vintage is an example of all the wonderful treasures that can be found when vintage shopping, resuing clothes, and recycling old trends. Finally we have five green facts about fashion that will give you the knowledge to do your part in making the world a better (and fabulous)place. We don’t know about you, but we think green is definitely this season’s color.

PUBLISHER Natalia Galbetti EDITOR-IN CHIEF Natalia Galbetti EDITOR AT LARGE Natalia Galbetti MANAGING EDITOR Natalia Galbetti CREATIVE DIRECTOR Natalia Galbetti LAYOUT MANAGER Natalia Galbetti COPYWRITER Natalia Galbetti CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Brian James Shannon Holt Scott Menaul Natalia Galbetti Cortney Miller INTERN SUPERVISOR Natalia Galbetti INTERNS Natalia Galbetti Natalia Lima Galbetti

TAMPA BAY

STYLE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SHOPPING GUIDE Going Flat From earth tones to vibrant colors and a simple classic style, we’ve got your summer flats covered.

A Trip down Fashion History Lane A vintage shopper’s paradise, Buffalo Gal gives customers a glimpse into the past of fashion trends.

Poetry in Motion Project Runway alum and Tampa Bay resident, Ben Chmura, makes it work for his Fall collection.

Sew in Love Kimberly Hendrix takes recyling to a new fabulous level, resuing vintage fabrics to make new modern designs.

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT

FASHION FEATURE

5 green facts you don’t know about fashion*

* and why you should know them.

BEAUTY

Blissfully Bubbly and Squeaky Clean The benefits of switching to homemade soap, from your health to a luxuriously colorful addition to your bath.

Feet Retreat Your guide to all things pedi that will get your toes ready to hit the sand.

ACCESSORY REPORT

Art to Wear Accessoreez’s designer Leslie Belcher creates unique jewelry from glass inspired by Tampa Bay scenery and Southwestern colors.

>>Photography by BrianJamesgallery.com

Poetry

Motion

Bringing Lamia’s Wrath to Life

s a certain supermodel is known for saying, in fashion one day you’re in‚ and the next day you’re out. Ben Chmura knows that phrase all too well but now he’s learning that when you’re out of Project Runway, things are just getting started. “It’s been non stop,” he says just a few days after showing his newest resort collection, Lamia’s Wrath. “I had one month to make this collection and most of it was done in the last two and a half weeks. The show definitely helped in that regard.” Inspired by the Greek mythological figure of Lamia, a half woman, half serpent-temptress, Lamia’s Wrath unites strong structural elements with soft feminine colors. Geometric patterns and cutouts evoke a reptilian allusion and strategically placed cutouts and high hem limes deliver subtle sex appeal. The fabric choices, raw silk and cotton, are breathable fabrics appropriate for the Florida heat. “Lately I’ve been very inspired by literature,” Chmura explains. “It has to tell a story, it has to flow and it has to make sense to me. At the end of the day they’re clothes and you’re trying to send a message through them, but clothes are supposed to be worn.” Chmura’s methodical approach to his designs is also evident in his workspace. An “organized mess with a system,” sequins, buttons and sewing machines are found all around what used to be the sec<< On opposite page: Chmura adds finishing touches to his collection backstage at Lamia’s Wrath fashion show.

ond bedroom of his home in Tampa. Racks of clothes have every look from his resort collection hanging neatly in the order they were presented, one after another next to the kitchen window. Lined directly under them, a series of peep-toes. An improvised showroom from a designer who’s making it work. In his living room, brightly colored handbags used for his runway show lean against a coffee table and directly across from them, comic figurines represent another facet of the soft-spoken 31-year-old, one he credits for his unique point of view. “I’ve been drawing since [age] one and a half and at [age] ten, I got into comic books and thought I would be an illustrator,” he says. “I’m quiet by nature but comic books and sci-fi bring a juxtaposition with security and confidence that comes out in my designs.” A graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, Chmura has designed over 10 collections, one of them shown at New York Fashion Week as a decoy for Project Runway’s finale. Since then he’s been invited to show again in New York in September, has mustered over a thousand fans on his Facebook page, had the VIP section for the Lamia’s Wrath show sell out in 20 minutes and will be attending Tampa Bay Fashion Week as a guest in the fall. At this rate, one thing is certain: Ben Chmura will not be out anytime soon. — NATALIA GALBETTI

Sew in Love

Designer Kimberly Hendrix creates timeless pieces by reusing and renewing vintage clothes

very week, millions of people tune in to Project Runway for 90 minutes of fashion, style and drama. Kimberly Hendrix does not.All she gets are the first few minutes and then she’s off to work: she has a challenge to finish. After not making the final cut for the hit show, the Palm Harbor-based designer decided to go for the experience anyway and make the looks for every episode following the challenge rules. “I was a little disappointed and I thought there’s no reason why I couldn’t do this by myself,” she explains while working on the challenge, which had her making an outfit built entirely out of party supplies. “I only watch the beginning because I don’t want to be influenced by anything the judges are saying or what the designers go through. I really want to see what I can come up with.” In this case, it’s a cocktail dress fashioned from crepe, or in her words, a “wedding pinata”. She had to use dye to save her from a sartorial disaster before her time was up, making the paper look like copper silk scraps and transforming the design into a piece that would be worthy of the judges’ approval.The drama was recorded not by a production crew, but a webcam, and broadcast on her blog for her customers’ entertainment. After the challenge is over, Hendrix designs her own line by her own rules. Drawing from a collection of vintage clothes

amassed over ten years, she recycles them into new ones. Sequins, beads and crystals are aged as she dyes the clothes after completion, resulting in pieces that look like they belong in a museum, with timeless elegance and style. “I like this idea of being worn out, she says of her design aesthetic. “There’s a lot of beauty in flaws and imperfections.” A watermark on a fabric, an opaque bead among shiny crystals or a shredded hem on a tunic are what set every piece apart and give them a modern and rock and roll edge. “Every beaded piece is one of a kind,” says Hendrix. “I design for girls who can appreciate that kind of hand-work. The hipster girls who are willing to take risks with what they wear and like sparkly things.” Among those girls is an extensive celebrity clientele that includes fashion icons Janet Jackson and Zooey Deschanel. The general public will get to see Hendrix’s new collection in the fall when she shows at Tampa Bay Fashion Week and while her Project Runway looks will not be included in the show, she does credit her experiment for teaching her how to make it work. “I’m learning new ways to design in general,” she explains. “I realize now that if I take a deep breath it will come out. It all works out in the end.” — NATALIA GALBETTI www.khendrix.com

>>Photography by BrianJamesgallery.com

BLISSFULLY Photography by Shannon Holt

BUBBLY and so squeaky clean

>>Colorful home-made bars of soap at Milagros’ St. Petersburg location.

www.indigobeesoap.com www.sisteragnes.com

t the end of a long day nothing is more relaxing than a good shower. As the water hits your skin and washes stress away, only one thing can make it better: luxurious soap. With a refreshing fragrance and soothing bubbles, soap moisturizes and cleanses and a handmade soap does both naturally. “Handmade soap is made with pure ingredients,” explains Trista Page, owner of Indigo Bee, an online handmade soap company based in Tampa. “There are no chemicals in it, so it’s better for your skin.” With natural oils as a base, handmade soap uses the same technique applied centuries ago, before soap was mass produced and sold in a cardboard box. Scents are handpicked for different effects: lavender making for a relaxing lather; citrus giving a refreshing sensation while patchouli and vanilla are mood enhancers. Colors and patterns result from the ingredients used, with bright yellows, reds and greens or pastel combinations beautifully layered in each bar, compliments of Mother Nature. Another organic benefit of the soap bar is its moisturizing quality. Containing glycerin, a natural humectant soap factories remove from mass- produced soaps, handmade soap is like a cleansing bar and a hydrating lotion in one. “You can add certain things that make it more moisturizing like olive oil or honey but the handmade soap in itself is already very moisturizing,” explains Teresa Ross, owner of Milagros, a handmade soap store that offers over 100 varieties of soap bars. Sometimes the combinations are simple like a dark yellow olive oil bar. Others read like delicious recipes, like Page’s Cherry Almond bar that with its cream base and brown and red swirls, looks and smells like a French pastry. Eye-catching shapes add a whimsical and decorative touch, enhancing your bath or shower with a foamy, luxurious and natural way to get a squeaky-clean start or finish to your day.

— NATALIA GALBETTI

FEET RETREAT

Your summer guide to all things pedi

n a hot summer day, there’s nothing more satisfying than looking over a book while sun tanning to see 10 beautiful toes, trimmed, painted and cared for as a result of a relaxing pedicure. On the sand, water, or in a fabulous pair of sandals, perfectly polished feet are an absolute must for many women. There’s something therapeutic and soothing about the process, and the result gives you an instant boost of confidence. It’s no wonder then that people have been getting pedicures for approximately five thousand years. The history of the pedicure dates back to ancient Egypt, evident by a pharaoh’s tomb carved to depict the king receiving a foot massage and treatment by his servants. Concerned with looks and beauty, women had pedicures as part of their cosmetic rituals and even colored their toenails with a reddish-brown stain derived from henna. Queen Nefertiti, the wife of the king Akhenaton, favored ruby red while Cleopatra preferred crimson for her toes. For those who weren’t royalty, only pale hues were allowed. In Asian and Indian cultures, beauty was not the reason behind pedicures, but rather the health of the feet.

Day Dreams Day Spa & Bath Shop, Brandon & Lakeland CAVIAR PEDICURE: The 65 minutelong treatment combines the antiaging ingredients of caviar, collagen, retinol and repairing vitamins to smooth and rejuvenate the feet. ($70) www.daydreamsdayspa.com

Foot massages and reflexology were meant to enhance people’s well being, which explains the root of the word pedicure: the Latin word for foot, “pes,” and cure, “cura.” In the 17th and 18th centuries, the pedicure became popular among the royals in Europe, uniting the maintenance and massages from the East with the cosmetic finish of the ancient world. Kings and queens would get footbaths and treatments from their servants and finish them off with shiny polish powders and creams. In Paris during the 1920s and 1930s, the French pedicure quickly became a trend replacing the metallic look for a more natural, cleaner appearance. Today the pedicure has become a staple at beauty salons and spas. From the lavish paraffin treatments that soak the feet in wax for deep moisturizing to the eccentric use of fish for removing dead skin to the simple trim, shape and color session, the pedicure has evolved a great deal from its origins, and options are nearly limitless when it comes to choosing a polish color. In modern times, you don’t have to be a queen to treat yourself to a pampering pedicure, but these marvelous spa services are bound to make you feel like one. — NATALIA GALBETTI

Indaba Spa at Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club, Palm Harbor COCO LUSCIOUS PEDICURE: A warm coconut milk bath followed by a refining coconut scrub removes roughness, and a massage with rich tropical butter takes your senses to a blissful Island Paradise. ($58) www.innisbrookgolfresort.com

Spa Oceana at the Don Cesar, St. Pete Beach FLORAL BLOSSOM PEDICURE : The Bain De Petals Effervescent Aromatic Crystals treatment consists of a gentle exfoliation with flower petals, which revitalizes the skin and seal in moisture. ($85) www.loewshotels.com 11

Photography by Scott Menaul

Art to Wear Accessoreez fuses glass into fashion

ccessoreez’s jewelry is hot and original—literally. Each piece begins with a torch directed at glass rods, which the artists carefully and meticulously turn to create one-of-a-kind color combinations and shapes. “The heating and cooling of the glass defines the colors,” Belcher explains. “No glass art is like another and sometimes you don’t know what you’re going to get.” The heating process reveals a plethora of hues with names as unique as their appearances. A cream-colored rod develops shades of pink and caramel becoming “Tan Silver Creek.” Red transforms into a combination of yellow, amber and orange tones making “Tequila Sunrise.” A simple black rod gets unexpected light blue and indigo streaks, creating “Amazon Nite.” While the colors flourish sometimes unpredictably, the shapes are molded precisely. Each glass piece is carefully created with a specific motion in front of the flame making it a puzzle piece in what will be, after the wiring, beading and stones are picked, an accessory. The process is slow and time-consuming, 15 hours to be exact. The end product is wearable art. Influenced by current trends but innately elegant, each piece is a small sculpture with a fashionable edge that can add whimsy and sophistication to any outfit. “They’re so unusual but they’re comfortable and it just comes together so well,” says Kathy Hintz, one of Accessoreez’s loyal clients. “I have a bunch and I just keep thinking ‘How can I get some more?’”The sisters’ designs are available in art galleries nationwide, and the colors and shapes in the jewelry reflect their inspirations. The earth tones and pheasant feathers in Harper’s designs replicate southwestern sunsets while the blue, green and coral-like

>> One of Accessoreez unique necklaces made of blown glass and silver chains.

pendants in Belcher’s mirror the natural treasures of Tampa Bay. The collection includes necklaces, earrings, cuffs, rings, brooches and belt buckles ranging from $30 to $450. Today, Accessoreez’s client roster has about 3000 names and includes celebrities like Natalie Cole and Candy Spelling. In addition to designing her collection, she meets with clients individually to make custom pieces, ensuring that all of them go home with something fabulously unique. — NATALIA GALBETTI www.accessoreez.com

Going T

FLAT

here’s something about a well crafted pair of flats that compels women everywhere to unleash their inner (slightly more realistic) Carrie Bradshaw and indulge in the season’s best collections. During the summer, nothing says “fabulous” quite like a pair of flats. Ditching the heels or higher-than-high platform pumps makes tired feet more comfortable and completes a classic, au naturel look. The right pair of flats can be worn at the office, or to spruce up an outfit for warmer nights out—bonus points for not limping in pain after a night of dancing. Finding a versatile style is key. These flats maximize utility well into the fall, thanks to extended high temperatures in Tampa Bay. Add a pedicure to any of these and it just might be the start of a new long-lasting passion—or at least a summer fling.

A Splash of Color

For those who aren’t afraid to stand out in the crowd, a bright pair of sandals is the best way to complete a summer look. House of Shoes has more than a dozen choices of flats, and Spicy’s turquoise sandals are just one of the colorful options available. Sizes run 6 through 10, and for $9.99 they’re a great deal! House of Shoes, 300 34th Street North, St. Petersburg

Simple and Classic

A t-strap sandals from Onex’s is a safe bet for transitioning a look from day to night. The thin straps make these flats feminine and delicate, while the metal details on the sole add a modern touch. Made in the USA, these classic sandals are available in sizes 5 to 11 and cost $79 at Shooz on Beach Drive. Shooz , 212 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg

Earth Tones

Photography by Natalia Galbetti

Earth tones blend well with tan skin and present the illusion of longer legs, even without the four-inch lift. Coco Brazil’s Corso Como sandals take comfort to a new level with their soft Brazilian leather offered in tan or dark brown, and the beads on these flats give them an exotic pizzazz. They are available in sizes 9 through 12, one pair for $50 or two for $80. Coco Brazil, 400 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg

— NATALIA GALBETTI 13

A Trip down

>>Photography by Cortney Miller

Fashion History Lane A vintage shopperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paradise, Buffalo Gal Vintage gives customers a glimpse into the past of fashion trends in St. Pete.

<< One of Buffalo Gal Vintageâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clothes racks with antique and retroinspired pieces. 15

>>Photography by Cortney Miller

n the corner of 12th Avenue North and Ninth Street in St. Petersburg lies a time capsule. To find it, the instructions are simple: follow the sign for Buffalo Gal Vintage, and walk up the wooden steps. As you open the door to the historic 1930’s house, you’ll get a glimpse into the lives of people from past generations – and their closets. “The cool thing about this job is that you don’t only meet people, you meet their ancestors,” said Buffalo Gal owner Desiree Sheridan. “I love the history of it.” Sheridan’s love is obvious as she takes a piece of clothing and talks about its background, purpose and context, turning it into a multi-faceted item and introducing it as a friend. A professionally trained actress, her knowledge and excitement are a product of 20 years spent on stage gathering outfits for each of the fictitious characters she embodied. “That’s how I got hooked on clothes,” explained Sheridan of the collection she started in 1974. “I collected for my characters and implemented them into my wardrobe.” Years after taking her final bow and having the curtains close, Sheridan now spends her days under a different kind of bright light. Buffalo Gal is amply lit and every item is washed, treated and ironed before put on the racks. These may be old clothes, but they don’t look or smell like it; and their impeccable condition allows customers to feel like they’re taking a trip back in time, buying a brand new 1960’s dress. On the racks shoppers will find everything from a 1930’s monkey hair balloon sleeved dress to a 1970’s ruffled maxi, with prices ranging from less than $100 to more than $500 for the rarest historical garments. More than five thousand items from different eras make Buffalo Gal a celebration of American fashion history and an ode to having individual style regardless of current trends. A TV across from the entrance adds to the vintage feel playing Two of a Kind, a black and white film noir thriller from 1951. Below the TV is a a pair of 1950’s roller skates with red

pompoms on top, and to their left are a series of pin-up pictures placed on a shelf, next to a huge pair of bullhorns. The juxtaposition is strikingly fluid and perfectly matches the store’s personality: eclectic with a classic soul. For those who keep their nostalgia of the sartorial choices of yesteryear away from their daily wardrobe rotation, Buffalo Gal upcycles pieces, taking vintage items and reinventing them in modern ways. Rentals for special occasions and theme parties are also available; and for those who want the ultimate Betty Grable makeover for just a day, a pin-up photo shoot is another option. “Buffalo Gal is American spirit and one of the ways we show that is the way we dress ourselves,” said Sheridan

>>Photography by Cortney Miller >>Photography by Cortney Miller

— NATALIA GALBETTI

www.buffalogalvintage.com

>> From top: Desiree Sheridan in front of Buffalo Gal Vintage, an assortment of hats and lingerie dating back to the early 1900s, the blackboard on the front of the store tells customers about the current sales, a mix of retro-inspired costume shoes and vintage pairs are for sale at the store.

>>Photography by Cortney Miller

as she explained the reasoning behind the store’s name. “Annie Oakley was the freakin’ bomb diggity! She remained a lady. She didn’t try to be a boy and she was a great sharp shooter. It’s about being yourself.” So if you have a little Oakley, Page, Kelly or Hepburn in you, Buffalo Gal might just be the place to find and embrace her.

green facts you don’t know about fashion* — NATALIA GALBETTI

* and why you should know them

Fact: Tim Gunn convinced Donna Karan to stop using fur. He’s mostly known for telling aspiring designers to “make it work” on Project Runway but apparently this fashion expert has no problems giving advice to established professionals as well. The Parsons School of Design’s Dean made a video directed to the designer, asking her to own up to her responsibility as a trend setter and acknowledge how her fur items come to be. The video shows images of undercover investigations exposing the cruelty animals are put through before they’re killed. Shortly after, Karan released a statement saying her Fall 2009 collection would not include any fur.

You should know:

Because if watching the video isn’t enough to make you stop wearing fur, know that if you run into Tim Gunn on that mink coat there’ll be no autograph or picture for you.

Fact: Cotton is the most used and toxic fabric in the planet.

Those little white flurries seems innocent enough but to be turned into your favorite tee about 150 grams of pesticides are needed. Then there are the multiple treatments to turn into clothing which takes more toxins and by the time it reaches your drawer, you better be biking to work, have your home powered by light panels and be a member of Greenpeace to make up for your carbon footprint.

You should know:

Because organic cotton doesn’t use any pesticides and goes through less treatments before reaching store racks. That means if you buy ecofriendly clothes you can take responsibility for saving the world and your ego would really love that.

Fact: Not all organic clothes are expensive. Some, but not all. While a lot of the clothes made out of bamboo, hemp and organic cotton are made in small batches by eco-friendly upscale designers, Target and Wal-Mart are bringing these green fabrics to us commoners for a low price tag.

You should know:

Because now you have no excuse to not save the world. Your ego is looking at you.

Fact: Over 90 million items of clothing end up in landfills around the world each year.

Where did you think your old sneakers ended up after you tossed them?

You should know:

Because one woman’s trash is another’s treasure and that other woman can’t dig through a landfill to find it. Instead of throwing out clothes, take them to clothing swap parties or sell them to a consignment shop for a few extra dollars. If they’re really worn out, give them away at a Salvation Army, someone will get use of it. Recycling is not only for paper, plastic and glass anymore.

Fact: An average of 300 bottles of water are consumed per show during NewYork Fashion Week.

And that’s a small number compared to the 2.5 million bottles consumed each hour in the U.S.

You should know:

Because if you buy a stylish non-toxic aluminum bottle instead, you’ll make a statement and stop wasting plastic. You’ll also be amazed at how much money you’ll save on buying your Fijis. You didn’t think they were charging you $2 for the actual water, did you?

Need we say more?