An Interview with Ami Vashi – Miss India

Ami Vashi’s plane was leaving in a couple hours, and she was calm when she told me that she could text me from Hong Kong if there was anything else that I needed, and that she’ll see me in a month. Ami has had an amazing life for her young years. She is an exotic beauty who was born in Los Angeles and received her degree from USC in finance. She was later recruited as a financial analyst in San Francisco. While traveling in Mumbai, she was scouted for the Miss India compeitition.

What made you enter the Miss India competition?

It was my nana’s idea.

What are your future plans?

Like other winners, I’m focusing on the Miss World title. I feel honored to represent India and am looking forward to bringing the Miss World title there. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

How would you utilize the title ?

I am already in the social sector and I would like to help generate funds, and use those funds to help out the less fortunate.

What do you think is the reason so many women from India are winning international beauty titles?

The rich Indian cultural background, strong family ties, good education, and the professional grooming that we get before an international pageant help a great deal. Finally, it’s the confidence and the way we carry ourselves. This may surprise you, but it was really my Nana’s idea to send my pictures to the Miss India contest because she thinks I am the prettiest woman in the world. My brother who is a dentist and sister who is a dietician came especially from the United States just to cheer for me in the finals.

Interviewed by Ash Gupta

Honeydew Intimates – An Interview with Creative Director Benny Zafrani

Honeydew Intimates consists of sexy, soft, and unique intimate apparel that appeals to a wide range of women. The colors and styles are fun and flirty, just what every woman needs! I interviewed Benny Zafrani, who is responsible for the creative direction of the label.

What made you decide to create designs for intimate apparel?  How did Honeydew come to be?

My father, Motty Zafrani, started a company that manufactured intimate apparel for different labels. After I joined the company, I began to seriously think about the future and how we already had everything in place to produce our very own brand. I then carefully studied what was already in the market and found that there was a serious need for more fashion-forward lingerie at more accessible prices.

How long has Honeydew been around?

Honeydew Intimates was launched in 2002.

Who is your demographic, what age, etc.?

Our target demographics are young women from their early teens all the way to women in their 40s. They’re from a broad range of socio-economic backgrounds who want something a little more glamorous in their intimate apparel.

Your designs are colorful and extremely feminine.  What fabrics do you use?

One of our main objectives for the line is comfort. We use the finest fabrics with the softest hand, from microfibers and modal to cotton, rayon and lace trims.

What determines how you will create a collection?

When creating a collection we first consider what the brand is all about-color, fun, a touch flirty, and ultimately fashionable. From there we go through fabric choices, prints, details and colors that we see are the season’s leading trends.

How would you say Honeydew compares to some of the other intimate apparel?

With all due respect, there’s no other line like Honeydew Intimates. It’s very specific in itslooks and price points. We’re the go-to brand for women who want to project a certain innocent sexiness, a confident sense of style, all at prices that give them more fashion for their buck.

Who makes up the design team, andtell me a little about your/their background.

I’m responsible for the creative direction of the brand.  I earned a business degree from Cal State and have been in this business for nearly two decades. I work on many different aspects of the brand to ensure that the entire company is on the same page to achieve ourcommon goals. The design team and I also benefit from inputs we take from our customers and what’s going on in the fashion industry. Other members of my family, including my father, pitch in with his invaluable business experience and my two brothers Jim and Liron, who together ensure a smooth and trouble-free atmosphere and operations.

Highest high designing Honeydew?

Whether it’s seeing someone like Rebecca Romijn or Angelina Jolie wearing the line in a magazine spread or just knowing that customers are responding to the line brings a creative satisfaction that we always appreciate. To know that the collection we worked so hard on is being bought by women across the country is what we strive for.

Any lows?

There are no lows, simply challenges to be conquered and they only serve tomake my work always interesting.

What advice could you give to someone wanting to design lingerie?

Be bold and don’t be afraid to take chances. Learn to take criticism but believe in yourself.  Laugh at your mistakes and learn from them.

Go into detail about your current collection.  What’s in store for the next season?

Right now we have some fun sporty looks from striped cami and boxer brief sets, zig zag striped bralette and panty sets, Under the Sea boyshorts, featuring a soft, striped elastic band, along with panty and low-rise thong versions in sea horse, frog and shark prints; Sailboat & Anchor mesh panties with great coverage and matching bralettes; full coverage panties with a lace band and silk screen images printed on the back; Super “Dew”-per Low Rise Thong that hangs very low and made more comfortable with a supple softy wide lace band, available in ombre, animal, or neon leopard prints. As usual, we’reshowcasing a lavish range of colors: the Super “Dew”-per Low Rise comes in cream, black, dove, phantom, cross-dyed shades of bubble gum, banana and peppermint; fine mesh boyshorts are available in super pink and scuba blue; while other styles are available in turquoise, purple, raspberry, and polka dots. Next season we have some really exciting pieces, including a neon group, preppy and fabulous prints, some really beautiful jewel-toned pieces, and a hot Bridal-Dew group!

Where can our readers purchase Honeydew?

Honeydew Intimates is available nationwide from specialty boutiques to major department stores, such as Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, and Dillard’s, as well as on our website www.honeydewintimates.com.

Any last words?

The entire team behind Honeydew Intimates is proud of what we create every season. It’s that mix of ideas that generates the most inspiring work. We have an opportunity to work together towards a shared goal, and that is a privilege. From the beginning, we wanted to produce something women can enjoy wearing while ensuring that each item that has the Honeydew Intimates brand has an enduring appeal and hopefully continues to delight and surprise everyone.

Interviewed by Kaylene Peoples

Hollywood Hills Goes Pink – Interview with Female-Exclusive Pink Iron Gym

“We know women, we are women. We know fitness, we love fitness.” -Pink Iron

The Hollywood Hills have gone pink and they have never looked better. Men, beware. This month we take you into the hot and trendy new female- dedicated gym, Pink Iron. I invited ISSA certified trainer Angelis Casteran to come along this round for a fresh female fitness perspective on what is a girls only club, no boys allowed (except male fitness writers, of course). Upon entering, you are greeted with an energetic smile and wag of Barbell’s tiny tail, Pink Iron’s little white Maltese mascot. The fresh colors, trendy spa feel, energized staff and intimate personality of it all culminates in a smile on your face and an extra spring in your step just by walking in.

“The trainers looked to be in great shape, great role models . . . the variety of equipment really adapts to various client needs . . . the pink is great, not overdone . . . and the locker rooms have a great spa like feel . . . They really anticipated everything a woman would need down to the locker room details.” – Angeles Casteran, CFT

A staff of seven certified or degree-credentialed female trainers commands the gym with impressive experience and attention to detail. Boys need not apply. I enjoyed the fact that Pink Iron’s staff keeps current on the latest fitness trends and information while weeding out the pesky flavor-of-the-week advice that confuses so many. As any serious fitness professional knows, only realistic approaches combined with true lifestyle change brings lifelong results. Owner Holly Horton knows this, believes this, and has definitely integrated this mantra into her pink fitness palace.

“My mission is not only to help my clients reach their goals but to have them leave each session with a new sense of strength, confidence, and passion for a healthy and fit lifestyle.” -Holly Holton

Owner Holly Holton, NASM Certified Trainer

The mind and muscle behind Pink Iron is owner Holly Holton, an internationally ranked fitness competitor and all-around fitness powerhouse at age 26. Holly has been training for the fitness world since the age of 15, certified and teaching at age 18, and competing at age 19; so don’t let her youth fool you.

“Do you know the Law of Thermodynamics? Do you understand how to maximize your post-exercise oxygen consumption to burn calories through your day? Luckily, you don’t have to because we do.” -Holly Holton

About Pink Iron: Interview with Holly Holton, Owner

Where did the inspiration for this Hollywood pink powerhouse come from, Holly?

Well, I’ve been into fitness ever since I picked up my first fitness magazine at age 15 and always dreamed of having my own studio someday. When I got into the LA fitness scene, I noticed just how much of a real scene it was here. Women working out in full makeup, hair fixed, dressed up but afraid to sweat and ruin their fitness outfits only to be hit on between every set, of course. I was uncomfortable being hit on at the gym, and I’m a trainer. Being self-conscious in a gym was a first for me. Girls wanted me to train them outside of the gym because they were so uncomfortable. I knew many other women out there felt the same way. I shared all this with my good friend and business partner and we decided to create a girl-friendly gym (Pink Iron) where men aren’t drooling over them and we could focus on improving women’s lives through fitness.

What does Pink Iron have to offer the health-conscious women of LA?

We are a full-service gym. We offer general memberships, tanning, group classes, Pilates, and personal training with built-in nutritional guidance for the absolute best results. Group classes offered will be yoga, Pilates, boot camp, and a focused booty and abs class. Our newest edition is bringing to life the Pink Iron beauty room, a full-service in-house salon that offers haircuts, color, extensions, waxing . . . You name it, and we will have it here. An all female staff runs the Pink Iron to ensure max client comfort and a focused environment.

So what gives Pink Iron’s personality its luster and distinguishes it from all others?

Apart from our obvious custom pink look and the positive, fresh and upbeat feel of Pink Iron, we pride ourselves on the attention we extend our girls. We focus a lot on keeping a personal feel and touch for a family-like atmosphere. We maintain a friendly community of female staff that knows every member by name. This lets us listen and respond quickly to our members’ needs. When our members asked for music in the locker rooms, they got it the next day.

Who is the typical Pink Iron client you cater to?

The only typical thing about our clients is that they are all women. We welcome anyone and everyone ready to enjoy what we have to offer at every level of fitness. We have 13-year-old girls who come in with their moms who have a trainer, fiery 70-year-old women who work out on their own, and LA celebrities who just love what we’ve got.

What advice do you have for our ladies who are ready to live a healthier and fitter life but don’t know where to start?

First, I believe they should set their goals and be clear on what they want to accomplish, write them out and post them somewhere visible to stay focused. Next is to get a support system. Encouragement is so important. Ideal is an experienced personal trainer to save you time and keep you safe, but if that is not possible, a work-out buddy with similar fitness goals is great for keeping you company and accountable.

Do you feel personal training is a luxury?

I think it’s a necessity; it’s an investment in your health. Keeping fit is something we all need to do even if it is just you working out on your own with just a gym membership. We do offer a free assessment, of course, to allow members to feel the difference and learn some new stuff they can apply. I definitely feel it’s something everyone should do for themselves.

I noticed your studio is just above Barry’s Bootcamp. Does that interfere at all?

Not at all since it’s actually very different. We complement each other. Since it’s mostly cardio-focused downstairs and Pink Iron is a fully loaded gym, we actually get along great and love everyone over at Barry’s. A lot of Barry’s clients come to us to use our weights and visa-versa for their cardio. It’s worked out great.

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Make sure to check out our fun interactive website atwww.pinkiron.com. It is loaded with our theme song, “The Tale of Pink Iron,” our cute custom fitness gear, our personal energydrink, and tons of other fun stuff. Don’t forget to check out Barbell’s doggy blog. It’s life at Pink Iron from a doggy mascot’s point of view.

Find out more at www.pinkiron.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/pinkiron

Interviewed by Anthony Heredia