Spotlight on Anabel Magazine

Thank you Anabel Magazine for featuring me in your September issue. I am honored by the five-page article! It was chock full of great questions and I will translate a few of them below. 

Anabel is the first-ever fashion and lifestyle magazine in Albania designed specifically for the Albanian woman and fashion lovers worldwide. It was founded by Dalina Buzi and Geljant Kaleci. Buzi, also the editor-in-chief, is a well known, groundbreaking journalist in Albania with over 10 years of experience in the electronic media and press. Kaleci is currently the most important fashion photographer in the country and sought after by celebrities and political figures. 

Before Anabel's publication, Albanian readers were guided to fashion suggestions that were not applicable to their country or tastes, usually gleaned from online information or publications such as Elle, and Glamour. Albanian magazines would highlight a pair of the season's must-have Gucci thigh-high boots, for example, as suggested by other fashion magazines. However, these boots were not even sold anywhere in Albania. Such cut-and-paste inaccuracies, while alienating many of the country's readers, also created a hunger from fashion lovers for a 100% Albanian print product, Thus, Anabel was founded as the first magazine to cater to the needs of the Albanian women. With monthly suggestions of how to dress, where and what to buy, guides on luxury buys and alternate versions for the budget-friendly, as well as creative fashion editorials, Anabel, revolutionized the fashion publication scene. It was also integral in introducing young and aspiring models, make-up artists, and photographers who had no other outlet to showcase their beauty and talent. Anabel promoted a new vision for the Albanian woman, one whose natural beauty, fierce self-confidence and joy for life could finally be showcased. 

At the moment, Anabel is Albania's highest-selling and most talked-about women's magazine. Its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/anabelrevista) is one of the most active pages of all Albanian FB sites and their web page will be relaunched at the end of September to introduce even more interactive site content. The magazine will soon be distributed to Kosovo, Albanian-speaking communities of Macedonia and Montenegro, and plans to reach the Italian, British and Greek markets by the end of 2011. 

 

1. Your blog is amazing, all those beautiful clothes and pictures...how did it all start and why?
Thank you! For years, friends of mine all over the world suggested I open a blog because they noticed my passion for fashion and everything luxurious. They thought others would appreciate my love for style, travel and the joy I get from sharing my experiences with friends and loved ones. I said "no" many, many times being skeptical of such a public forum. In December 2009, that all changed. My sister Juliana and I were in Miami vacationing and one night before dinner she said, "I opened a blog for you on Typepad." And there it was; I now had a blog. I thought hard about it, and realized this could be meaningful, a virtual space to share my passions with those who cared to tune in--as long as it was done right. The possibility of inspiring others with what inspires me was the real catch--that's how it all started

2. How has the feedback been like?

It has exceeded my wildest imagination. I have received the most positive response I could have hoped for. Since the creation of the blog that night in Miami seven months ago, hundreds of thousands of visitors have visited the site. I now have readers from over 100 hundred countries with the largest following in America, Croatia, Australia, and Saudi Arabia. On top of that, hundreds of other bloggers have been writing about me, giving amazing coverage of my blog. I want to say thanks to everyone for their incredible support and love. 

3. Why Washington? I've been there and haven't seen much fashion. People wore black suits and white sneakers to run to work, and you go there and wear Oscar de la Renta and Louis Vuitton. Do they appreciate your fashion?

Washington is the most important seat of power in the world. It is a beautiful city with a brilliant culture and though I travel often, splitting my time between DC and NY, I am happy to call it a home. It is true, in DC, fashion takes a back seat to politics, but that doesn't mean it is not appreciated or doesn't exist. The fact that I've been recognized in various media outlets, including the influential Washington Examiner, attest to that. Despite the various Washington stereotypes, there is a fashion and art scene that is burgeoning, at once organic and influenced by it's not-too-far neighbor, New York City. It's a city ripe with possibilities and it's certainly moving in the right direction. 

4. What do you predict will be the most wanted fall trends? 

Everything Celine! The Phoebe Philo show was one of the best of the season. Women now want wearable luxe and Celine delivered.  It has a French air of sophistication mixed with Philo's signature simple yet sexy cuts and fabrics. Lanvin's dresses are always on the must-have list. Also, neutrals will be huge this season, a la Chloe and Michael Kors. I attended the Kors show and the warm, chunky knits were a welcome sign of Fall. Also, as seen in Prada and Louis Vuitton, the 50s are back. Though I don't own many pieces from this era, I love the conservative and sexy silhouettes of the long-sleeved, long-skirted dresses. And, bling is back! Gold, in all its glory, popped up everywhere from McQueen (my personal favorite) and Balmain to Dries van Noten. I'm hoping to snag a gilded McQueen skull clutch from his final Fall collection. 

5. In your opinion has the crisis influenced fashion in America?

American fashion is a function of its citizens and their worldview. I would say, as such, the economic crisis has undoubtedly affected fashion in America. There have been many designers and iconic stores that have shuttered under the constraints of the recession. Yet, one must also see the positives in any situation. I feel like the crisis has spawned a cry for uniqueness and individuality. As American fashion has become commoditized in the last decade, I've noticed that nowadays, especially with the concurrent rise of blogs, that fashion is trending towards the anti-trend. People are mixing their fashion with pieces that are more personal, the expected with the unexpected. It's inspiring and should have design houses rethinking what will set them apart in the post-crisis landscape.