TINASHA LARAYE: A Lesson in Resiliency
WHAT A MAN
THINKS WHAT EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY PEOPLE DON’T DO! Garden of Eden:
ALEONA ISAKOVA MODE INTERNATIONALE: Sustainable accessories from across the globe
ORE! M R U S SAY
26 U R More: Jennifer Strickland by N I CO L E L U C H ACO
Former supermodel-turned-spokeswoman Jennifer Strickland on why she gave up modeling and fasted the mirror for 40 days.
On the Cover
8 Mode Internationale: Accessories We searched the globe for the most innovative luxury designs. These sustainable accessories from South America to East India command distinction from the rest.
43 What A Man Thinks with Justin Stumvoll D R E S S B Y Eliza J. P H OTO G RA P H Y B Y
David Ochoa
B AC K COV E R T U L L E S K I R T B Y Dark Pony Designs N E C K L A C E B Y Uno de 50 P H OTO G RA P H Y B Y Maari Christante
Life Coach, Author, and Cohost of the Liberation Project Justin Stumvoll answers your burning questions about love, dating, and relationships from the male perspective.
38 Tinasha LaRaye “The Rhythm of Resilience� by N I CO L E L U C H ACO
Artist and Director Tinasha LaRaye knows a thing or two about resilience. Read how LaRaye found her rhythm when facing opposition.
32 Misoon Kim The latest in style from Seoul with a vintage-Rococo inspired collection from South Korean Designer Misoon Kim.
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Rediscovering Au Naturel
What Emotionally Healthy People Don’t Do
by S KY E W E I N B E RG
Our resident expert on holistic, eco-friendly skincare shares her favorite beauty brands.
48 Across the Globe: Shoes Ethical style doesn’t have to lack in quality. These worthy brands put sustainable footgear on our map.
10 Au Paris! by L I B I E R R E Y N O L D S
Four tips to add a Francophile style to your look!
by L I S A M U R RAY
Seven signs to test your emotional well-being.
16 Aleona Isakova Designer Aleona Isakova’s Garden of Eden collection is a vision of the “Divine” with hand-made, exclusive Italian silks.
6 Full Bloom Glitter, matte, and highlighters are the rage this season calling on our uniqueness with bold and ethereal looks.
EDITOR’S NOTE t ELOQUENT WOMAN Magazine we’re celebrating a shift in culture brought about by the powerful #metoo and #timesup movements. Sexual assault and harassment have taken center stage in virtually every sector of our lives including business, entertainment, sports, and political arenas. It was difficult to comprehend the enormity of such stories streaming from athletes to A-list celebrities; the long list of exposures were both staggering and, at times, stomach churning. In the wake of powerful confessions from women, men, and sadly, even children, questions are now being raised, “What do we do about it?” As a magazine, we are fighting a war against the hypersexualization of the female as well as the idea of selling sex. We seek to raise awareness for a new generation that true beauty shines from the inside and will always be in fashion. I was impacted by the discovery of yet another former Supermodel-turned-Spokeswoman Jennifer Strickland, who is actively fighting for women’s value through her work with adolescents and young adults by exposing the mechanisms of a critical and, at times cruel, beauty industry. I thought it was important to hear from men as well on the current cultural paradigm. As I sat down to talk with Life Coach and Co-host of The Liberation Project, Justin Stumvoll, he took issue with the current “media driven sexual-revolution” and the “public thrashing” of the masculine man, saying: “[Men] have been reduced down to our sexuality, we have been minimized to, ‘I am just a sexual being, I have no depth, no character, no quality.’ [But] we are much more than just a sex drive. We are a human being, longing for connection and to be known by the world around us.” It was a reminder worth noting that there are men actively fighting for women’s value and bothered by a media saturated with the portrayal of the male, sex-driven mysogynist. You can hear more from Justin Stumvoll at #theliberationproject and read his insightful responses to your questions on love and relationships in this issue. We would love to hear from you! You can send comments or inquiries regarding this summer issue to editor@eloquentmag.com.
R eyna N ichol Lee
Yours Truly,
REYNA NICHOL LEE Founder / Editor-in-Chief
CONTRIBUTORS
DAV ID & J O RDAN O C H OA Creative Directors David Ochoa has been a professional photographer for over 10 years now, after he decided to take on his father’s legacy when his dad passed away in 2003. Eight years later, he met professional makeup artist Jordan Rosenthal while on a photography job. In 2013, they became Mr. & Mrs. Ochoa and have partnered up in their career and life to become the dynamic duo they are. Together, they share their gift with others by bringing out the ultimate best in who they work on.
LI BI ER R EY N O L DS Fashion Editor & Stylist
BRIENNE PE E TZ Stylist
Libier Reynolds is a creative entrepreneur who’s mission is to serve women! To help them discover the freedom of knowing their worth and seeing themselves as enough! She is the author of Through The Wilderness a memoir of overcoming selfhatred and addiction. She creates regular content for Television in Sacramento, her blog and YouTube Channel with her focus on beauty, style and inspiration.
Brienne has 10 years experience with styling and designing in the fashion industry. In the past she has designed children’s wear, women’s wear, and high-end pet wear. Her current projects include custom design women’s dresses and ready-to-wear garments for men and women. Brienne has a passion for individuality and authenticity. She uses design to call out the true beauty in her clients, empowering them to be confident and comfortable in their identity.
AMBER AARON Stylist & Fashion Writer Amber Aaron is an Oakland native, L.A. based wardrobe stylist and freelance journalist. Upon earning her Masters in Luxury Goods & Services from the International University of Monaco, Amber re-located to Los Angeles to begin her fashion career in style consultancy. Amber’s credentials and global industry experience have given her an edge on the business of fashion, allowing her to make innovative and savvy decisions for clients that are ahead of the curve and on trend. Amber’s portfolio can be viewed at amberaaron.com.
M AA R I CHR I STANT E Photographer
NI CO L E LU C H ACO Writer Nicole Luchaco is a freelance writer, visual stylist and professional conversationalist. Born and raised in Alaska; she sleeps best on planes, trains and in cars. Nicole can often be found researching the nutritional value of vegetable-anything, volunteering her time in a foreign country and listening to someone’s life story.
With an extensive background in boutique portraits and commercial photography, Maari Christante has taken her craft and vision and leaped into the fine art world. Here she creates inspiring, hope-filled, photoart adventures. Each image has a flair of beauty and boldness, wonder and wisdom. View her work at Fightsong Studio.
CRIST BL AC KWE L L Photographer
DAVID ROCHE Stylist David Roche is a Montreal-born musician, stylist and model. He is the epitome of the Dapper man, styling in a manner that is both eclectic and classy. Roche brings a simple sophistication to everyday menswear. He currently resides in Northern California where he is sought after for his unique style consultations.
Crist Blackwell is a photographer based in Northern California. A man with many hats, he covers everything from weddings to magazine shoots. He is passionate about uncovering gold in others, laughing, and always living in the intentionality of a creative life. View more of his work at CristBlackwell.com.
BLOOM This season’s beauty trends focus on rich hues, ethereal highlighters, and new iconic looks, amplifying the celebration of complex and unique beauty. For nails, striking minimalism takes the show with clean geometric designs, and all over rich sunset tones. Across the runways, the warrior in all of us is being called upon through golden tones and bold looks. Here are 7 beauty and nail picks that honor eco-friendly preferences. 1. EVERYTHING LIPSTICK thelipbar.com All things golden is in this season. The rich, long lasting color, and nourishing ingredients of these lipsticks make them hard to beat.
2. CELESTIAL SPHERE EYE SOOT IN ARA ritueldefille.com Rituel de Fille are known for their stardust and dewy tones.
3. FRENCH ROSE AND MONARCH METALLICS / BLUSH, ASTER, AND SAFFRON CREMES shoplvx.com
4. LIT HIGHLIGHT POWDER blacminerals.com Blac Minerals “Lit” highlighter can have you feeling sunkissed and radiant.
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5. TEDDY GRAHAM AND FROSTED PLUMS EYESHADOW beautybakerie.com Glitter and matte are the textures of the season. By sweeping on one of these pigments from Beauty Bakerie, you can’t go wrong.
6. HEAL & CONCEAL gloryboon.com
7. CREME FOUNDATION pranapotions.com
Glory Boon’s magical concealer melts into your skin and is formulated to co-exist with your unique and natural pigments. It’s smooth, light, and oh-so-luxurious; you may forget you’re even wearing it.
Prana Potions products are birthed from a belief in a plant-based, ecoconscious beauty care ritual created by a young herbalist in Hawaii. Her creme foundations are the perfect partner to any of the trends. ÉL O Q U E NT M AG.CO M 7
MODE INTERNATIONALE
BY AMBER AARON
“Worth it” is an understatement when considering these international designers for gorgeous accessories this season. When it comes to shape, texture, versatility, and quality, there’s no reason you need to step out accessorized like anyone else!
B ROT H E R V E L L I E S brothervellies.com | South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco NUSA DISC $495
M E LO N M O N G O L I A N M I N I I S L A N D $1050
M A S I E C I RC L E S T U D S $45
S I LV I A TC H E RA S S I silviatcherassi.com | Colombia
M A RY J E A N maryjean.co.za South Africa
A N YA KO N E C K L AC E $350
M A RY J E A N M M E R E B A N G L E $80
A R M O U R D E CO E A R R I N G S $101
ARIA HANDMADE ariahandmade.com South America B O RA S CA R F $35.95
VA L L I YA N valliyan.com India ÉL O Q U E NT M AG.CO M 9
4 STYLE TIPS TO BE EFFORTLESSLY CHIC M A K E U P A N D P H OTO G RA P H Y B Y Aline Davalos
BY LIBIER REYNOLDS
Parisian style has been a delight to my soul since I was a petite fille. I was drawn to the elegance of French style since my mother and I received a bottle of Chanel Number 5 perfume 20 years ago! I can remember thinking how much I loved it’s simplicity and elegance! That bottle has held its own throughout the years because it’s followed style elements that make French women so chic! Simple with just that little something to give it character and poise! ÉL O Q U E NT M AG.CO M 11
Here are some tips to help you add a Francophile mood to your style.
Start by choosing a very basic and neutral base for your outfit; think colors like nude, ivory, black, gray, white, or navy. Here I chose black faux-leather leggings with black pumps to keep the color consistent and added an elegant top with a pop of powder blue as my wow-factor!
Add an element of class with a fun accessory like a metallic shoe or a great handbag that adds a pop of color or vintage feel! Think about adding a third element to your outfit by throwing on an oversized blazer and capping it on your shoulders. This creates interest and elegance. Pairing Navy blue and coral with pops of brown or taupe are always a hit! ÉL O Q U E NT M AG.CO M 13