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On the Cover: BV Magazine Team CEO & Editor-in-Chief: Erin Schmidt
arts edition Mr. Eric Roberts (@ericrobertsactor) Photographer: Tony Duran
Fashion, Beauty and Entertainment Editor: Charis Michelsen Fashion and Lifestyle Editor: Galina Sobolev
Photographers: Tony Duran, Russell Baer, Mikhail Goldenberg, Daniel Weber, Debra Simmons, Jerry Lexion, Stephen Shadrach, Gina Whiteside, Edward Dose
Stylists: Galina Sobolev, Madison Dixon
Contributing Writers: Angela Legh, Michael McManmon, Madison Dixon
Bella Vida Magazine 9454 Wilshire Blvd, PH 37 Beverly Hills, CA 90212 www.bellavidamagazine.com Email: info@bellavidasb.com Social: @bellavidamagazine Published and copyright owned by Bella Vida Global, Inc. No unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this publication is acceptable.
IN THIS ISSUE: ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT BEAUTY 8
Summer Wellness to Get Ready for the Beach
11
Beauty of the Season
FASHION 15
A Taste of the Exotic with Seattle Designer Anna Flowers
18
Rising Star in Modeling: Lilly Ulrich
21
Bold & Beautiful Summer Fashion
26
Athens Fashion Week with Bella Paradise Swimwear
35
BELLA VIDA LUXURY GIFT GUIDE
LIFESTYLE 39
Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder: Disrupting Beauty Norms
54
The New Living the Bella Vida Podcast
30
Areva Martin: Challenging the Status Quo through Fashion
COVER STORY 46
Eric Roberts: Hollywood Icon on his incredible career, his 30 year marriage with Eliza Roberts and living a beautiful life
MUSIC & ARTS 41
Georges Tomb: Award-Winning Composer and Concert Pianist
50
Hollywood Premiere: Tacoma movie
52
Up and Coming Artists: Kiki
53
New books to read this summer: By Dr. Michael McManmon
PHILANTHROPHY 43
The Pink Pump Affair Gala for Special Needs Network with Areva Martin
FROM THE EDITOR Welcome to Issue 3 of Bella Vida Magazine, Arts edition. This issue we are celebrating the arts with Hollywood icon, actor Eric Roberts and his lovely wife, Eliza Roberts. We are also excited to feature award-winning composer and concert pianist, Georges Tomb. In honor of Juneteenth, and in celebration of liberty for all, we highlight all the advances of Civil Rights, and strides women have made to take the lead and challenge the status quo through fashion, attitude and being true to their own inner voice and passions. Thanks to Eric and Eliza Roberts for being so wonderful and kind. A special thank you to Areva Martin for her graciousness and for being a leader women can aspire to be like that breaks the rules and isn’t afraid to take a stand. Her interview will inspire and enlighten both women and men about how far females have come in society and how we can utilize our sense of style and individuality to stand out proudly. And thank you to Georges Tomb for allowing me to interview him all the way from Europe. You can see my entire video interviews with each of these incredible celebrities on our YouTube podcast at youtube.com/@bellavidamagazine I hope you enjoy the issue and all the incredible features. May you be inspired!
Erin Schmidt Photography by Stephen Shadrach
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Relax and Reconnect Relaxation can boost your immunity, lower your blood sugar, blood pressure, and heart and breathing rate, as well as reduce inflammation and aid in better mental health. Relaxation isn’t an option in maintaining good health, it’s mandatory. To take a mental and physical vacation without going anywhere, book a delightful non-surgical face lift + relaxation massage, that uses the Sculptural Facial Lifting Method, natural products, cupping, and lymphatic drainage, with master bodyworker Constance Miller of Dolce Aesthetics (dolceaestheticsla.glossgenius.com). This service, which can be performed at Dolce Aesthetics or at your home, office, etc., per your request, includes buccal massage for a deep lift and tension relief, promising plump, glowing, and stress-free skin. To not only feel relaxed but also refreshed, enjoy a skin-pampering La Prairie facial at Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills with top La Prairie esthetician Summer Spigno (neimanmarcus.com/editorial/services/spa). Summer employs La Prairie’s insider techniques to invigorate the skin while exclusively using La Prairie products, which are known as “the Rolls Royce” of skincare products. Summer, who has a passion for making people feel beautiful and pampered, generously shared one of her secrets: apply skincare products in a downward motion for lymphatic drainage. After visiting Summer, your skin will look plumper, clearer, and glow for days! For additional peace of mind, visit Maryna Yudina, founder of the Pacific Neurocenter (pacificneurocenter.com), who combines life coaching, QEEG brain mapping, and ILF Cygnet Neurofeedback with EEG-guided neurofeedback, to assess and treat a variety of different health concerns, such as PTSD, ADHD, addictions, and depression. She can also help increase one’s personal and professional success through VR brain training.
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Anna Flowers Designs Custom Couture @annaflowersdesigns annflowersdesigns.com Photographer:Edward Dose ( @dose.photo)
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FASHION
Charis Michelsen in Custom Couture by Fashion Drug by Anahit, Beverly Hills
“HOW CAN YOU FEEL UNHAPPY OR UPSET WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING GREAT?” -ANAHIT GHAZARYAN
PHOTOGRAPHY: Daniel Weber MODEL, MAKEUP: Charis Michelsen @charismichelsen_official HAIR: @hairbysylvie, @brightonsalonbeverlyhills
Anahit Ghazaryan, Founder and Creative Director of Fashiondrug by Anahit, located in Beverly Hills, offers a reminder to take time away from worries and enjoy pampering yourself with treatments and wearing beautiful clothes and accessories, to fully celebrate yourself. She points out, “How can you be unhappy or upset when you’re looking great?” DRESS: Fashiondrug by Anahit (anahitbeverlyhills.com) NAILS: Katerina Abourched, Founder & CEO of Moka Nail Club (mokanailclub.com) and TheNailBusinessAcademy.Online
ANAHIT FASHIONDRUG
DRESS: Fashiondrug by Anahit (anahitbeverlyhills.com) NAILS: Katerina Abourched, Founder & CEO of Moka Nail Club (mokanailclub.com) and TheNailBusinessAcademy.Online PHOTOGRAPHY: Daniel Weber MODEL, MAKEUP: Charis Michelsen @charismichelsen_official HAIR: @hairbysylvie, @brightonsalonbeverlyhills
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THE NOT SO BEAUTIFUL HISTORY OF BEAUTY STANDARDS Looking back at the history of female beauty standards may prompt us to question the practices of past societies. However, when we compare these historical beauty ideals to contemporary phenomena such as teenagers receiving Botox injections, we're confronted with a troubling continuity in the pursuit of perfection. While the methods and substances may vary, the underlying motivation remains the same: the relentless pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards. Just as women in ancient times subjected themselves to harmful practices in the name of beauty, today's youth are often influenced by societal pressures and media images that glorify a certain idealized appearance. In ancient Rome, lead-based cosmetics were popular among men and women. Lead was used in various forms, including lead oxide for whitening the skin and lead sulfide for darkening eyelashes and eyebrows. However, lead is highly toxic, and prolonged exposure has the potential to lead to severe health issues, such as lead poisoning. Corsets have been used for centuries to achieve an exaggerated hourglass figure by tightly cinching the waist. While they were fashionable during various periods of history, including the Victorian era, corsets could cause significant damage to internal organs, restrict breathing, and lead to longterm health problems including misaligned ribs and spinal issues. 40
During the Renaissance period, arsenic complexion wafers were used to achieve a pale complexion, which was considered fashionable at the time. These wafers contained toxic ingredients such as arsenic, mercury, and lead, which were applied to the skin to lighten it. Sadly, exposure to arsenic could cause poisoning and even death. Foot binding was a practice in ancient China where the feet of young girls were tightly bound to prevent them from growing larger than a certain size, typically to achieve the ideal of small, delicate feet known as "lotus feet." This practice caused severe deformities, lifelong disabilities, and excruciating pain for the women subjected to it. The practices mentioned earlier were all driven by the societal standards of beauty prevalent in those particular times and places. POSITIVE CHANGE FOR THE FUTURE Fortunately, there is a positive shift occurring in the beauty industry. Ethical companies such as Bella Vida Santa Barbara luxury skincare are leading the way by offering women healthier alternatives that enhance their appearance without sacrificing their well-being or ethical values. In contrast to the harmful practices of the past, Bella Vida Santa Barbara luxury skincare prioritizes ingredients that are safe and beneficial for the skin. Their products are designed to enhance natural beauty while promoting skin health and overall well-being.
By embracing this approach, women can feel confident in their beauty routines, knowing they are not compromising their health or values in pursuit of societal ideals. As more companies follow suit and prioritize health, sustainability, and inclusivity, we move toward a future where beauty is celebrated in all its diverse forms, and women can feel empowered to express themselves authentically and confidently. Beauty is often said to be in the eye of the beholder, a blend of both exterior appearance and inner qualities. A woman may not fit conventional standards of attractiveness yet radiate a beauty that transcends physicality through her kindness and compassion. Conversely, someone conventionally stunning may lack true beauty if their heart is filled with selfishness and vanity. When society begins to measure beauty by the content of one's character rather than superficial traits, we will truly value what is good and meaningful. It's kindness, empathy and integrity that truly illuminate a person's beauty, enriching not only their own lives but the lives of those around them. As we progress toward this understanding, we move closer to a world where genuine beauty is celebrated and cherished above all else. Angela Legh is a best-selling author of the Bella Santini Series.
arts
READY FOR THE RENAISSANCE Georges Tomb, Award-Winning Composer & Concert Pianist
by Erin Schmidt
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Living a Bella Vida Podcast with Erin Schmidt YouTube Podcasts: @bellavidamagazine
Each episode of our podcast radiates with the motivation and inspiration you need. Entertaining dialogues designed to help you live your beautiful life. join us every Thursday available on YouTube Podcasts and Spotify.
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Creating memorable summers for special needs children and their siblings. This camp offers a range of academic and arts programs, including dance, music, robotics, and sports, for campers aged 5 to 16 with various disabilities and their typical peers. This summer, we're excited to introduce a special program for adolescents and emerging adults aged 17 to 24, aiding their transition into adulthood. Campers thrive in an inclusive atmosphere, building life skills, exploring new interests, and forming lasting friendships. Highlights include a Talent Showcase, field trips, sports with the Lakers and LA Kings, wellness workouts, free onsite medical services, healthy meals, and before/after care. It's a unique summer experience for curious and fun-loving campers!