Category Archives: Fashion

Style With a Smile: The Fashionable Mollie Ruiz-Hopper

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Photos by Chad Coleman

Bold colors. Cutting-edge designs. A sense of adventure with a twist of daring! I love the ideas and energy that infuse the world of fashion. These are also the very things that have come to characterize Twitter’s Mollie Ruiz-Hopper, one of the emerging, exciting voices in international style.

As a writer for an ABC News affiliate, and creator and editor of Mollie In Seattle, Ruiz-Hopper has cultivated an impressive fan base that gives her support and feedback. A fan base she keeps rock solid by being approachable, relevant, and gracious.

Like the catwalk itself, she uses the grand stage of social media to express her passion for fashion. She manages to pull all the threads together – the innovators driving her industry and the trends we’ll be talking about. So it was truly an honor to connect with this philanthropist, noted ‘ideas woman’, and fabuloso fashionista.

How do you believe social media has changed your industry? I’m a blogger/writer and I also work in PR. Social media has really revolutionized the way people communicate with one another in such a great way. It kind of puts people on a level playing field where we can now communicate with virtually anyone, anywhere, anytime. News comes to us in real-time. I can watch a live stream of my favorite designer’s fashion show and get up to date information on the latest trends in shoes. Information is now endless and available to me all the time whether I’m on my computer, smart phone or iPad. This is all a result of the awesome-ness that is social media.

Photo by Mike Luong

I know you have a love for Nordstrom, which has emerged as one of big companies greatly benefiting from social media. What are they specifically doing right? Nordstrom is doing a terrific job with their social media. They’re constantly posting great links about clothes and products new to their stores, information on upcoming events, and are always quick to respond whenever I have a question or comment. There are a lot of other big companies out there who have Twitter and only push information about themselves. What I love about Nordstrom and appreciate as a devoted customer is that they’re always talking to people, responding to my tweets, following up on recent purchases and even suggesting things to me that I might not have thought of for myself. I just love that Nordstrom is now a presence that is always with me. If I have a question about mascara, they’re there to answer it right away.

You are quite the fashionista. Everything you’re doing is just consistently buzz-worthy. And that’s hot! How are you managing to thrive in Seattle, which is particularly strong in the fields of technology and sustainability? First, thank you very much! Fashion is something I’ve been crazy about ever since I can remember, I think it rubbed off on me from my mother and grandmother who were very fashion forward and my style role models. I think the most important element in anything is that you have to be genuinely passionate about what you do, whether it’s technology, wine or in my case fashion. I love waking up every morning and dressing up in something that makes me feel good. I also have a smart phone that helps me stay connected with my friends, family and social media all the time. I can update my Twitter feed whenever I need to, take a picture of a pair of shoes I want, or friend someone on Facebook I just met at an event. I attend different networking events, sometimes it’s weekly, and sometimes it’s monthly. An important part in remaining relevant in any industry is showing up, being an actual body and face that people can shake hands with and relate to. Finally, it’s very simple: be a nice and pleasant person to be around, if you’re happy and positive others will want to share in that.

To find out more about Mollie Ruiz-Hopper and her great insight about the world of fashion, follow her on her Twitter feed and read her work on Facebook. This is cross-posted in Smedio.

The Artistic Beauty of Isa Zapata

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This is cross-posted in the Huffingtonpost Arts Section.

Years ago, an entertainer explained the meaning of “Art as Life.” It is, this person says, when something culturally dynamic introduces you to a new experience and informs your thinking, nurtures your spirit, and expands your horizons. Indeed, this could easily be the description of the work of artist Isa Zapata.

With a spirit as irrepressible as her smile, Zapata has become one of the art world’s most respected voices. Since her breakout year in 2005, her art, home décor, and fashion lines have generated major buzz. Indeed, her hand-painted furniture, eco-friendly handbags, and “Limited Edition” t-shirts are just a few of the amazing products wowing consumers.

A few months ago, her illustrations graced the pages of the bestselling children’s book Today I am Happy. This seems fitting because Zapata always encourages people to see things through the eyes of a child. That’s the only way, Zapata believes, one can appreciate and see the fullness of what life has to offer.

Grateful for her success, Zapata is fully committed to charity. In fact, proceeds from her Limited Edition t-shirts benefit the MY Art Project, a foundation she started that funds art classes for underprivileged students in Miami, Florida, and Fundacion los niños del Campo, a foundation in Columbia run by a friend.

She’s one of the smartest women I know, and one of the great women in social media. Here’s hoping her example of excellence will continue being a beacon of light, and that our lives will continue to be touched and transformed by her inspirational presence, fantastic work, and positive spirit.

To see more of Isa Zapata’s amazing creations, fan her on her Facebook page and follow her on her Twitter feed.

The Fabulous Eco-Fashions of Nyla Noor

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Make no mistake about it: eco-friendly fashion is not only red hot, but has been a major source of innovation and out-of-the-box-thinking. Traditional textiles are being replaced by greener ones that are safer for the environment. In fact, green designers are creating masterpieces by the hour, and, as a recent article aptly points out, adopting “approaches that take into account the preservation of the environment.” This is an exciting time in the world of eco-fashion.

It is also an exciting time for the visionary minds of New York’s Nyla Noor, a fashion design firm poised to expand the creative boundaries of its industry. Their eco-friendly handbags are already generating major buzz and interest. The pictures say it all: Exquisite designs. Daring imagination. Amazing stylistic presentation. These are some of the elements that anchor Nyla Noor’s beautiful Launch Collection.

Their genuine leathers are processed using an environmentally conscious method, and each handbag is lined with their signature SKAL Certified, 100% Organic cotton. The collection reflects the rich and culturally diverse backgrounds of its co-owners, sisters Saifra and Romaana Zia. Their design aesthetic has been heavily influenced by their expansive travels around the globe. Soft touches and feminine flair are complemented and balanced with edgy and bold accents. Hot!

Nyla Noor’s handmade creations are gaining favorable attention, and, helping the local economy, as each bag is made in New York City’s famed Garment District. Their stunning collection is not just about a look, or an attitude. It’s about conscious living, and getting consumers to make informed decisions that take into account how they think, and how their actions impact our planet. Essentially, their handbags are the perfect accessories to the integration of a fashionable and conscious lifestyle.

My prediction: 2010 will be a great year for Nyla Noor. They have a great, mature approach to design, and a clear, forward thinking philosophy. Theirs will be a journey worth watching.

To learn more about Nyla Noor’s eco-friendly designs, log onto to their website NylaNoor.com, and connect with them through their Twitter Feed.