Parlay Magazine - No4 Fashion Congeniality

No4

FASHION congeniality

WRITERS Deborah Harris John Guatta Karen Boyarsky

PHOTOGRAPHY Eric Ortiz Mario Basner Kristoff Lutchman

MODELS Amanda Gibson Mayor Carolyn Goodman Moorea Wolf

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COVER

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INSIDE 08

Crossing the Rainbow Bridge to Beyond 12 20

CONTENTS

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FROM THE EDITOR You have to give some extra respect to people who put themselves in a position that forces them to always be fashionably together and can pull it off. They’re the people who are always in the public eye and it’s guaranteed that the one day they aren’t, that picture will be all over the internet. We sent some time with two women who cannot be ignored.

In this issue we were honored to steal some time from our Mayor, Carolyn Goodman.

We got her take on her personal fashion likes and what fashion means for our city. We also got to spend some time with Amanda Gibson, our Miss Nevada. A pageant winner and media professional who always seems to have fashion and beauty game on.

In our Designer Lookbook we highlight a local designer who’s fashions are definitely for the confident woman, SabraKadabra. She’s a talent who’s designing swimwear, cosplay and dresses that are bit on the risqué.

Thank you for reading and make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Editor In Chief Tevye Harper

parlaymagazine

@parlaymag

parlaymagazine.com

Crossing the Bridge to The Cross Culture Benefits of EDM Industry and Rise of Vegas Born Apparel Brands One of our city’s most electric and colorfully charged gatherings happens on the eve of summer here in Las Vegas and it brings out the most creative, adventurous, rebellious, and popular music gods and goddesses of EDM Culture. For the majority of those that flock to Vegas during this time, the focus is purely on the music, having a raving good time and living in the freedom of complete abandon of self- expression. This season, Parlay Magazine had the opportunity to delve into the true religion, wonder, and magic at the helm of EDM culture as we attended the EdmBiz Conference hosted at the Cosmopolitan Hotel.

The conference in general focused around the growing popularity, associating business ventures, capital investments, and tech advancements made that will secure the future of EDM music and how it will be delivered to the general public.

As I began to interact with the vendors of the conference and speak with fellow journalist, I soon began to see the understated and hidden treasures within the EDM culture that are helping to define the benefits of growing a tech and apparel businesses on Nevadan soil.

I learned that there have been several new apparel businesses that were able to launch and thrive here in Las Vegas since the EDM festival moved to our city. One name brand

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Rainbow Beyond

by Deborah Harris

in particular (Spirit Hoods) shared their experiences and how they have benefitted from viewing Las Vegas as the perfect launching pad for their brand.

In general, Las Vegas is still growing in its infrastructure to support a viable fashion industry and because of this many have not viewed Las Vegas as a hub of true economic development and innovation. Although many are working tirelessly to eradicate these issues, other business owners outside of Las Vegas have discovered that Las Vegas has a very unique quality because of its transient culture. Because people in Las Vegas come from so many different backgrounds, our fashion street style is extremely eclectic and open to other cultural influences. Las Vegas’ niche for collecting people can be seen as the gateway that brands need to establish their lines and create distinct bridges for marketing and branding to a city such as ours while taking advantage of the major tech and apparel conventions that are housed here every year. There is much that we can learn from these outsiders so to speak and how they are connecting industries to one another and capitalizing on our grounds.

Stay tuned for an intimate Q&A with Co-Founder of Spirit Hoods, Alexander Mendeluk, in our next edition of Parlay Magazine. Discover how he found a way to connect one bridge to the next while launching his apparel line through the EDM culture scene and creating a longstanding demand for the companies creations year round.

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www.ortizproductions.com

Ortiz-Productions

eric_ortiz_photography

R O Y MA N Y L O R A C N A M D O O G PHOTOGRAPHED by Eric Ortiz WRITTEN by Karen Boyarsky

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The Mayor recently met with Parlay Magazine to discuss her personal views on fashion including makeshift blouses as well as her plans to develop the fashion industry in Las Vegas.

During her photo shoot, our stylist complimented her blouse and asked if it was long or shortsleeved. Ever the consummate politician, Her Honor declined to answer. With much prodding from the rest of the crew, she finally admitted that the shirt was, in fact, her husband’s, former Las Vegas mayor Oscar Goodman. With a sly smile, she revealed to us that she had cut the sleeves off his Brooks Brother’s dress shirt that very morning as her husband’s watched in horror.

In a way this is symbolic of things to come. As we work to establish a solid fashion industry, it’s going to take some ingenuity, determination and when things look scary at times a vision to guide us to a beautiful result.

You’re always so impeccably dressed. Do you have any favorite designers?

There are so many popular designers that I really have a hard time picking a favorite. I have always tended to like the more conservative, classic and clean lines and look. These give me a chance to add a bold flash of color in a scarf or wear some nice jewelry.

Whether you can wear their fashions or not, are there any designers here in Las Vegas whose fashions you like?

Right here from Las Vegas I love the work of David Tupaz whose daily and evening wear are elegant, beautifully designed and made. He knows fabrics and quality craftsmanship and is so attentive to detail. He complements his beautiful designs with his own custom-designed jewelry which is fantastic. Recently he was recognized as the 2015 Metropolitan Fashion Week International Designer of the Year.

Do you ever get tired of having to look so great all the time as Mayor?

That is so kind of you to say. Actually some days when I have down time, I think, “I’ll go real casual,” but then I realize you can’t do that; supposing you run into a constituent or a tourist who recognizes you? Being the mayor is not something I take lightly so I try to dress the part.

I want to be respectful to those I meet, and I am always mindful that I am representing our wonderful city of Las Vegas.

What kind of outfits are you most comfortable wearing?

Being mayor my days are extremely busy and I’m usually running from one event to the next. I love it, but it can be tiring, and usually I’m looking forward to getting in my pajamas when I get home.

If you could wear anything to work, what would it be?

I love horseback riding and being able to ride more often was one of the perks of moving to Las Vegas from the East Coast. So I got very comfortable wearing jeans and boots out on the trails around Las Vegas as I rode across the countryside. If I could I would probably go with jeans and boots, but the only time of year that I do that now while working is for our annual Helldorado Days parade and rodeo every May. Las Vegas, of course, excels in the areas of tourism, restaurants, live shows, and even technology. Where else do we excel and can we grow those industries and if so, how?

Fashion is a huge industry and I have been working to develop a concentration in Las Vegas.

Too, fashion couples nicely with another area in which we are dabbling: the film industry! I have been working on building this industry as well. Of great significance upon which we are all concentrating is building the Las Vegas Medical District and bringing a school of medicine to our community.

Is there a substantial fashion industry in the Las Vegas area?

It is a growing area that I think can become substantial. We have all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood mixed in with that special feel that only Las Vegas has. That is what will draw the industry and great designers like David Tupaz to Las Vegas and I’m excited to see what the future holds.

Las Vegas seems to have quite a few very fashionable citizens. Who would you say is always well-dressed?

Well as I mentioned my husband always looks nice in his suits. Also Elaine Wynn is always looking fabulous and Jenna Morton who is known for the restaurants she and her husband run, but is always fashionable.

Where do you think the most changes/improvements will take place?

I see a fashion district being downtown. That is where the energy and vibe is thanks to the city’s revitalization projects and the work of the Downtown Project. Downtown is where everything is happening from the cultural corridor to the 18B Arts District to the Fremont East Entertainment District – it is the place to be and a fashion district would fit in perfectly.

Do you foresee attracting any fashion companies from NY or LA--the acknowledged fashion capitals in the U.S.--to Las Vegas? If so, what plans do you have to achieve those goals?

Las Vegas has never had a problem attracting people. We have 40 million visitors a year and we are a worldwide brand. Everyone knows Las Vegas and it won’t surprise me at all to see PARLAY MAGAZINE

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major fashion companies looking to come here.

What programs have you or do you plan to put into place to grow the fashion industry in Las Vegas?

As the mayor I have a bully-pulpit and I intend to use it to increase awareness and excitement about the fashion industry in Las Vegas.

Do you even miss the “old days” of Vegas where everyone got dressed up to go to the casinos?

Yes to some extent I miss the way people dressed up to go out to see a show or get a great dinner. People still dress up, but people also like to be casual especially on vacation so I understand that as well. For me if I’m going out I want it to be special and taking the time to dress is a part of making it more of a special night.

If you could change the fashion industry in Las Vegas tomorrow, what would you do?

I’d snap my fingers and move us five years into the future so that our fashion district would be fully up and running and we would be celebrating our local designers’ fashions on the red carpets at our resorts and shows.

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Our Las Vegas fashion industry is comprised of a mixed bag of passionate, intriguing, intelligent, eccentric cast of characters. Some may say that we don’t have a fashion industry here. We beg to differ. The Parlay50 is a professional index of the people who are the movers and shakers. Based upon our independent research, surveys and analysis these are the 50 we see that are a part of the pulse of our fashion industry.

Catherine Treu

Founder/Artistic Director at FashionFeedLV Catherine has a unique pulse on the local fashion industry. A true artist/designer advocate, her FashionFeedLV magazine and blog is a must read for the who, what, where, when and why of the Las Vegas fashion scene. http://fashionfeedlv.com https://www.facebook.com/catherine.treu https://instagram.com/fashionfeedlv https://twitter.com/fashionfeedlv

Aldo Mencatto

Buffalo Exchange

Andres Gonzales

Camille Flawless

Angel Alcala

Carrie Carter Cooper

Asia Thornton

Catherine Treu

Blue Raven Boutique

David Tupaz

Brenton Coon

Deborah Harris

Brian J Swan

Derek Smoot

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Derek Washington

Milka Von Rhedey

Fashion A’Studio

Mingo Collaso

Gina Kim

Nataly Paige McBride

Glenn Wright

Natasha Morse

Jennifer Henry

Paloma Solamente

Jessica Galindo

Patty Barba

Junior League

Peacock Bliss

Kathleen Bruening

Rane Rose

Kevin Hooks

Russel Frank

Kristen Pock

Sabrina of Sabrakadabra

Las Vegas Fashion Council

Sara Brinckerhoff

Las Vegas Fashion Design Council Shannon Sheldon Mauricio Montebello

Stitch Factory

Mayor Carolyn Goodman

Stitched

Meghan Mossler

Teodora Atanasov

Melissa Costa

Tolga Katas

Mikka Moon

Wanda Merrit

Milka Von Rhedey

Yvette Auger PARLAY MAGAZINE

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Yvette Auger’s Cosmopolitan Connections.com July 29

PHOTOGRAPHED by Roger Bennett Photography.com Parlay Magazine Issue Release Party at Andrea’s, Encore Hotel

A D N A M A Nlity GIisBs CSonO genia M

PHOTOGRAPHED by Mario Basner HAIR by Giselle from ‘Canyon Falls Spa’ MAKEUP by Dunia from ‘Fab Spa Parties’

It’s one thing to put yourself out there it’s another thing to win a pageant. Winning a pageant means that you have to represent your crown everyday you step out the door.

It’s a huge fashion and beauty responsibility that Amanda takes on with a smile and an air of joy that is just not doable for the average person. Parlay took some time to get to know Miss Nevada and she’s someone you should know too.

Pageantry is big business and highly competitive. How did you get started?

This was actually my first pageant. Although I’ve been performing as a professional actress, model and dancer my whole life, this was the first time being on stage as a pageant delegate. I was introduced to the Miss United States pageant system when I met a former Miss Nevada during a radio show. I was blown away by her confidence and accomplishments, she carried herself like royalty. I was inspired from that day forward.

Being a pageant winner means that you always have to represent the crown. Do you get a days rest?

When I’m in public, I’m definitely very conscious of the honor I have to wear the crown and the privilege I have to represent the Silver State. In terms of rest, I really love relaxing at home and cooking. That’s definitely how I unwind and relax. I try to schedule that rest period in daily so I can recharge and maintain a sense of balance in my life.

Ok pageant question #1: What quality do you like most about yourself and why?

I love my kind heart. I believe we should never underestimate the power of kindness-it’s definitely one thing people need most in this world.

When you’re competing are your gowns and outfits custom made for you?

I’ve been blessed that most of my gowns and outfits come from my favorite designer, AshleyLauren. I absolutely adore her. Her collections combine breathtaking dramatic pieces that make a bold statement on stage while also providing fashion forward cocktail dresses that turn heads during events and interviews. The craftsmanship of her dresses are impeccable and perfectly flatter the female figure---she has a dress for every body type!

I love being a part of #teamfabulous. I’m actually on my way to model for AshleyLauren at Atlanta Fashion Week! I’m so excited!

Dress: Blush provided by Charlottes Closet 24

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Dress: Ashley Lauren

How would you describe your personal fashion style?

Classic elegance during the day and sophisticated, yet fun (I never shy away from bold colors and sparkles!) for evening.

Is it different from your pageant style?

I believe it’s very similar.

Pageant question #2: If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?

That we would place LOVE above all else. Love for each other, our planet, and our resources.

I believe that when the love in people’s hearts is given a safe place to be nurtured we create an even more beautiful world that is centered on compassion that fuels creativity.

Whenever we’ve seen you in public you’re always on point. Who are your favorite designers to wear?

I love wearing designers that Tavecchia boutique (located near my hometown in Portland, ME) carries. My Adrianna Papell pieces always make me feel like a princess and Frank Lyman is another excellent choice! My favorite line at Tavecchia would definitely be Shail K. The intricate beading and amazing attention to detail really makes each piece a showstopper! Of course, I’m a huge Mac Duggal fan - which is another line they carry.

Tavecchia has truly put together a brilliant collection of dresses that I feel so honored to wear while I’m serving in the community.

Your Miss Nevada crown has to have opened some fashion doors for you. Who’s clothing would you like to wear?

The fashion doors have certainly swung open since being crowned and I’d love to CONTINUE to wear all the designers I’ve mentioned:) Are there any local designers or stylists you like to work with?

My favorite local stylist is Ashley Trevino. Not only does she have gifted sense of style and passion for making people feel and look their best, but she has a ginormous heart! It’s pure joy to be around her and play dress up!

Pageant question #3: What is your definition of success?

To me, success means following your heart, finding and honoring your values and being committed to being yourself without compromise. Success is embracing all the talents and gifts you’ve been given to serve others and bring beauty into the world.

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Dress: Charlottes Closet

At the end of your tenure what will be your unique mark?

My unique mark will be the sense of joy that I bring to everything that I’m given the opportunity to do, the passion I bring to causes that are important to me and the genuine care I show for the people in my community.

What’s been your favorite part of being Miss Nevada?

The ability to inspire others and encourage people to believe in their dreams! I love being able to have a platform that allows me to make a positive impact in our community and state.

One of my favorite moments so far has been hosting a princess garden tea party with little girls and giving them all crowns and sashes!

What’s next for you?

My training partners and I recently opened a fitness studio, F45 Summerlin in Boca Park.

We are in our second week and the response from the community has been fantastic! It’s been a dream come true to be able to teach people about living a healthy and happy lifestyle. I’m so inspired by helping people achieve their fitness goals and watching them transform right before my eyes.

I have the most talented, dedicated and motivated trainers working with me every day and I’m constantly amazed by how we’ve brought this vision to life and grateful for the opportunities to learn from them.

I believe that life should be about doing what you love with people that you love and I’m very blessed to be doing just that!

Follow Amanda on... www.missamandagibson.com Facebook.com/Missnevadaus Twitter: @amandagibsonlv IG: @missamandagibson1

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www.mariobasner.com 702.513.4112

R E N G I S E D LOOKBOOK PHOTOGRAPHED by Kristoff Lutchman Photographer’s Asst Oscar Espinal MODEL Moorea Wolf HAIR by Annalee Belle & Candice Marie MAKEUP by Annalee Belle

SabraKadabra SabraKadabra is known for making three things; swimwear, cosplay costumes and outfits that border on the risqué. Three very Vegas clothing categories. All of which are outfits for the confident woman. It’s young and sexy and completely fitting of her fun personality.

Sabrina is young designer who gets to live her dream daily and is a local product who photographers and models love to work with. Her product lines always carry her unique sense of flare and is attentive to the curves of your body.

Follow her on Facebook and email her directly for orders.

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No4

FASHION congeniality