February 2023 Issue

FEB. 2023 ISSUE

BELLA MERLOT There was no niche.

It was just me.

ANHELINA KHARENKO Girl who proves that ordinary can be extraordinary

ENVOGUE FASHION COLLECTIVE Takes over New York Fashion Week

L’AKILEM Founder

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Model: Karina @picuudita Photo by: Davinci @framedbydavinci Location: Fat Village Fort Lauderdale, FL

Contents COVER STORY PAGE 3

Melika Najafizadeh

FRONT COVER CREDITS: Model: Melika Najafizadeh @lakilemofficial Photo by: @supertalia Makeup Artist: @beaiglesiasmua Hair: @jesusdepaula BACK COVER CREDITS: Model: Melika Najafizadeh @lakilemofficial Photo by: @andreacresci Makeup Artist: @claragiaccarimua Hair: @lapoviadeifossi

7 Shakenia “Kenia” Hill

There was no niche. It was just me.

11 Anhelina Kharenko

The girl who proves that ordinary can be extraordinary

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EnVogue Fashion Collective

NYFW 2023

Model: Melika Najafizadeh @lakilemofficial Photo by: @supertalia

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Model: Melika Najafizadeh @lakilemofficial Photo by: @shamimphotography Hair/MUA: @pedram_abdi

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Model: Melika Najafizadeh @lakilemofficial Photo by: @jesuscorderophoto Hair: @jesusdepaula MUA: @beaiglesiasmua

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Model: Melika Najafizadeh @lakilemofficial Photo by: @andreacresci Hair: @lapoviadeifossi MUA: @elenanaimi.mua

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Melika Najafizadeh, L’AKILEM Founder – Creating Opportunity, and Following Vibes Every fashion lover will tell you, Italy is the fashion capital of the world. And it’s definitely the place one of today’s most notable fashion influencers hails from. Melika Najafizadeh is the founder and owner of L’Akilem luxury menswear brand, founded in Milan, Italy.

Currently heading an Instagram following of over 1 million people, L’Akilem is more than just elegant menswear. It’s a fashion brand that blends together concepts of elegance and couture with personal values, such as freedom and personal expression. Melika combines these two things to create an online presence that is powerful and unique and provides a critically needed something in the fashion world of today.

Ever since she was a little girl, Melika was serious about fashion. She enrolled in the prestigious Istituto Marangoni, one of Italy’s greatest learning centers for everything fashion-related, and graduated at the top of her class. But for Melika, it’s not just about knowing a good look when you see one. Running her million-follower business has also been about gathering around herself a powerful team of creatives, and people with vision to help propel her along, and support her in her mission. Moreover, it’s been about learning the social media trade, and knowing how to use it to your advantage.

Most of all, for Melika, her job is about staying true to herself. As a deeply spiritual and religious person, Melika has always sought to imbibe her work with a deeper meaning. In her personal life, as in her professional one, Melika seeks the common vibes that bring us together. So far, L’Akilem has never been solely about fashion, but also about freedom of expression. It’s about being you.

In that sense, Melika admits to having been tremendously lucky.

“My career is my personal life too! I'm so lucky that I'm living my dream, and my work is actually my passion, and I can’t wait in the morning (even on weekends) to wake up and live it!”

For Melika, the future of L’Akilem is looking bright. She hopes that in the near future, she might grow her business internationally, but also wants to focus on giving back. One thing she’d like to see more of in L’Akilem and the rest of her professional life is young creators and designers. Helping other creatives, and empowering women creators are two lifelong goals for Melika that she hopes to achieve with L’Akilem.

Asked what advice she would give young people who dream of following their passion, and getting into the business, Melika says: “Everything you believe affects what comes to you, and in order to receive it you must believe you deserve it. Don’t give up and never lose hope, create opportunities and everything comes your way when the timing is right.”

A deceptively simple piece of advice, it comes from someone who knows the true weight of following your passion through thick and thin. For Melika, moving forward hasn’t always been the easiest, but as long as she was moving forward, she says, she knew she was doing it right.

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Fashion Influencer Bella Merlot: “There Was No Niche. It Was Just Me.” Shakenia “Kenia” Hill, better known by her professional alias, Bella Merlot, is a content creator, traveler, fashion blogger, and social media personality. For years now, she has used her Bella Merlot persona to inspire, and awe, sharing with the world the outfits and ideas that she most loves.

Kenia, or simply Ken to her friends, has nurtured a passion for fashion ever since she was a little girl. Way before she was a content creator, the fashion personality would curate her wardrobe, and gather fashion inspiration where she could. Hailing from Miami, Florida, she first started sharing her ideas with the social media world over on YouTube, with tremendous success. In time, she branched out to Instagram and more recently TikTok, and found solid followings here, as well.

In spite of the dressy, classy elegance of her online looks, Kenia admits there’s few things she loves more than just chilling in a pair of loose slacks, and some comfortable, feel-good clothes. The content creator says if there’s one thing her social media journey has done for her, it’s helping her become more true to herself.

“Like, I knew I wanted to be a creator/ influencer but I felt like I was forcing content that wasn't genuine and it felt extremely forced. It was when I told myself "listen, people will love you for what you do, even if it seems insignificant to you". That's when it clicked. My page just naturally started growing very quickly when I posted exactly what I felt like posting. No 'strategy', no 'niche' it was just... me.”

It’s a struggle that a lot of young creators have to face, filtering the sides of them that are “good enough” to be seen by the public. It turned out, for Kenia, the best step to take was to focus less on what you showed, and more on being honest.

Her public honesty helped cement a relationship not only with her public, but also with professional contacts, and various fashion brands the influencer has worked with. A lifelong admirer of the fashion brand PrettyLittleThing, Kenia saw a dream come true when PLT reached out for a collaboration last year.

“This was a brand I had been faithfully purchasing from for YEARS and they wanted ME to collaborate with them! I was shocked! Ever since then, we've formed an amazing relationship and I will never forget that.”

In more recent years, Kenia’s gotten to focus more on the travel aspect of her public profile and hopes to continue doing so in the near future. She also hopes to further and grow her career, buy a house in her native Miami, and most importantly, stay true to herself.

Something few of her followers know is Kenia was a ballerina, as a young girl, and to this day is a passionate dancer, bopping to the beat of Drake, Nicki Minaj, PartyNextDoor, and Bad Bunny, just to name a few artists. Whatever the future holds for Bella Merlot, it’s going to have Kenia’s strong, authentic self at its core.

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ANHELINA KHARENKO Model: Anhelina Kharenko @lina_kharenko Photos by: Anna Sorohan Wardrobe: Massimo Dutti

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Anhelina Kharenko: The Girl Who Proves That Ordinary Can Be Extraordinary Modeling is often seen as a glamorous and exclusive industry, reserved for only the most beautiful and special individuals. But Anhelina Kharenko, a model from Ukraine, is here to prove that this is simply not true. She is an ordinary girl who has made a name for herself in the modeling world through hard work and determination. Anhelina's journey in the fashion world began in childhood, when she first developed an interest in fashion and style. She loved watching fashion shows and reading fashion magazines, and this fascination only grew as she got older. However, it wasn't until she was 15 years old that she realized her true calling in the world of fashion.

At this young age, Anhelina became much more interested in the fashion world, and she soon got into modeling. This was a turning point in her life, and she soon realized that her passion for fashion could become her profession. She worked hard to hone her skills and develop her sense of style, and her hard work paid off when she was selected for her first PR campaign for a modeling school. What sets Anhelina apart from other models is her approach to the industry. She firmly believes that anyone can become a model if they have the right attitude and a strong desire to succeed. In her own words, "People often think that in order to be a model you need to be 'special', but this is not so. I'm an ordinary girl and I can say that the only thing you need to have is purposefulness and the desire to move towards your dream.“

This is an important message for anyone who dreams of a career in modeling. It's not about being born with special genes or having a particular look. It's about having the drive and determination to succeed, no matter what challenges may come your way. Anhelina's story is a testament to the power of hard work and perseverance. She is living proof that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things if they are willing to put in the effort. And for anyone who is considering a career in modeling, her story is a source of inspiration and encouragement.

She is a role model for anyone who dreams of pursuing a career in the industry, proving that anyone can achieve success if they have the right attitude and a strong desire to succeed.

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ENVOGUE FASHION COLLECTIVE Photos by: Angel Martinez @famousangel & Davinci @framedbydavinci

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EnVogue Fashion Collective Takes New York Fashion Week – by Angel Martinez EnVogue Fashion Collective, the premier platform for emerging and established fashion designers, artists, and creatives, returned to New York Fashion Week on February 11th, 2023 with a highly anticipated runway show. Amanda Mirus, the visionary director behind the event, ensured that the show was a seamless and unforgettable experience, with endless opportunities for networking and connecting with industry press, buyers, boutique owners, celebrity stylists, and influencers.

The event was powered by a lineup of top-notch sponsors, including New York Makeup Academy, Unite Hair, N Nails and Spa, and an open bar featuring Pricklee Water, Kansas Whiskey, and Chido Tequila. VIP ticket holders were treated to a range of exclusive perks, including front-row seating, a free swag bag, and VIP access to the after-party celebration hosted by Louie Dager, one of the hottest DJs on the scene.

DJ Louie Dager brought energy to the event, providing a live soundtrack to the runway show, performances, and after-party celebration. As a renowned DJ in the fashion industry, Louie’s music selection set the tone for a night of fashion, art, and entertainment. His contributions to the event were a highlight and helped to make the night unforgettable for all in attendance.

The press area and passes were expertly managed, allowing photographers to capture the best angles of each look and network with models and vendors. And, with a lively after-party and popup market, guests had ample opportunities to mingle and celebrate the outstanding talent on display.

The atmosphere was one of relaxed excitement. With live DJ Louie Dager on the decks, the vibe was lively and upbeat, while still providing a chill and inviting atmosphere. Guests were open and eager to network, making connections and sharing their passions for fashion. The event provided a unique and inclusive space for attendees to come together and celebrate the beauty of fashion and creativity. The warm and welcoming ambiance, coupled with the fantastic music, made for a truly unforgettable experience, making the event one of the most highly anticipated of the fashion week season.

The runway show, which featured a diverse array of new and established designers, including JBerushi, Isabelle LaRue, 6th Dimension, and Embrace Me by Chasity, was a celebration of body positivity and diversity. One of the show’s highlights was Caroline Miller King, an expecting model who confidently walked the runway, breaking down barriers and showcasing the beauty in motherhood.

The EnVogue Fashion Collective New York Fashion Week Exclusive Runway Event brought together the best and brightest in the fashion industry, showcasing the latest collections from emerging and established designers. The event was expertly curated by director Amanda Mirus, who brought her vision of inclusivity and creativity to life on the runway. The show was an inspiring display of diversity, with body positivity being at the forefront as one of the models, Caroline Miller King stole the show as she confidently sashayed down the runway, challenging the traditional norms of the fashion industry and proving that motherhood and fashion can coexist.

The designers, JBerushi, Isabelle LaRue, 6th Dimension, and Embrace Me By Chasity, wowed the crowd with their bold and innovative designs, bringing their unique perspectives to the runway. With a great ambiance, music by Louie Dager, and an open bar sponsored by Pricklee Water, Kansas Whiskey, and Chido Tequila, the event was the perfect blend of style, fun, and creativity. The EnVogue Fashion Collective New York Fashion Week Exclusive Runway Event was a triumph of the power of inclusivity and creativity in the fashion industry, and we can’t wait for the next show!

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Liana Confidence Is Sexy Model: Liana @lianavxo Photos by: Sebastian Cardenas @sebaz.photos

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