ABOUT US
Ann Lauren Editor-In-CHIEF. Bella Petite was founded by Ann Lauren, her career started at 16 as a petite model
who founded and organized the largest national USA Petite women’s fashion movement, with over a 100,000 members of her organization. Many thousands of petite women have participated in her USA Petite Pageants and USA Petite Model Shows across the United States. She is recognized for her innovative vision and ten+ years of creating a collective “image” for petite women.
Featured in over 500 newspapers, radio, and television interviews nationwide, Lauren is considered the foremost expert in petite fashion, modeling and attitudes. Lauren has produced and co-hosted the only nationally televised USA Petite Model Show in the world at Caesar’s Palace Las Vegas.
Lauren has been a spokesmodel for dozens of brand named companies. She began producing events nationwide in her teens. To date she has produced and directed hundreds of successful productions, including modeling shows, pageants, sportswear contests, fashion shows, conventions and seminars. Lauren’s innovative concepts and powerful drive to promote the petite image is destined to change the fashion, modeling and beauty industry as we see it today.
Many worldwide recognized companies have sponsored the petite fashion movement including, Cartier, Kenar Petite Clothing, Jantzen Swimwear, Nordstrom, Petite Sophisticate Outlets, Bullock’s, Victoria Jackson Cosmetics, I. Magnum, Susan Lucci Hair Care, Saks Fifth Avenue, Decleor Skincare, Macy’s, Avon Cosmetics, Baker and Leeds Shoe Stores, Leon Cliyne Couture, Carlson Travel Network, American Airlines, Disneyland, The Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace Las Vegas, Knott’s Berry Farm, Marriott Hotels, United Airlines, Queen Mary, Crystal Court Mall and La Trattoria Spiga in Costa Mesa, CA, Universal Studios.
Ann Lauren is the petite woman’s fashion expert poised to command this multi-billion dollar industry. Lauren’s innate ability to present and influence vertical markets interested in riding the petite fashion revolution, enables her to rapidly expand the visibility of Bella Petite globally.
Our highly concentrated efforts on this niche market, will fulfill the demanding needs of the average sized woman. Our advertisers will receive enormous benefits while enhancing their profits like never before. Everyone wins!
Bella Petite will make fashion history, by bringing the petite woman’s image to the fashion fore front. The explosion of Bella Petite Magazine’s launch onto the scene, will once and for all bring down height stereo-types and focus on real women. Making petite women fashion recognizable!
Ann Lauren’s experience in Internet marketing started in the 90′s. Lauren’s introduction to the Internet was in establishing strategic partnerships and developing integrated marketing campaigns and promotional programs. She was Vice President of Development for Netcity.com the first online electronic metropolis. Working with companies such as Trizec-Hahn, Disney, ESPN, Viking Components, Sportsline USA, Brooks Brothers, PrepCo Food Distributors, etc.
In addition, Lauren was President and founder of an Internet Portal calledWildNetwork.com, the start-ups flagship was
WildEmail.com, whereby she raised over a million dollars in capital funding. The portal featured over 75 WILD subdomains such as; Wildshopping.com, WildCoupons.com, WildStart.com, WildDating.com, WildSports.com, etc. The portal flagship was WildEmail.com comprised of 1000′s vanity email domains. Ms. Lauren was key in the development process and overall management of WildNetwork. She structured strategic partnerships, developed integrated marketing campaigns, established key alliances and promotional programs with the following organizations; Verio, Critical Path, RackSpace, American Honda, YouthStream Media Network, Teen.com, SixDegrees.com, Neopets.com, Warner Bros, BlueTorch.com, SportsTalk.com, MetaRewards.com, Emaildirect.com, Datadate.com, WildTangent, etc. to name a few.
Ms. Lauren also has extensive experience in Public Relations and Marketing. Formerly Public Relations Director for NBA Laker Happy Hairston Foundation and the Celebrity Golf Tournaments. She created marketing campaigns and proposals, press releases and worked closely with the tournament sponsors like; The Hosting Country Clubs, Toyota, Callaway Golf, Evian, Titilist, Nike, Lacoste and ESPN programming. Responsibilities included coordinating celebrities press schedules, tee times for the tournaments, and coordinating television programming schedules for the celebrities.
The Runway Icon group President Raphael Maglonzo and directors are rising kings of the LA Fashion scene. Their elite crew of photographers, videographers and makeup artist are nationally recognized for their work on Project Ethos, Miss California, Teen USA, as well as recent editorial shoots for designers Dena Burton, Merlin Castell, Lauren Elaine Black Label, Organic Planet, along with many high profile clients. They have been pivotel in building the careers for many aspiring models.
Runway Icon has partnered with Bella Petite Magazine to bring petite women to fashion’s forefront! We will be creating fashion-forward trendsetting campaigns, editorial layouts and cutting edge content to rock the fashion world. Currently, we are in the early stages of development and creation of the first ever (soon to be released) 100% digital edition of Bella Petite Magazine “Look Book!”
This is where it all starts, you can expect this fashionable partnership to be one that changes the old industry standards and makes fashion history!
Christopher Toyne Director of Production & Media Development for BellaPetite. Toyne will develop and create cutting edge
content with interactive campaigns, while utilizing cross platform mediums in television and Internet creating real time videos and promotional events on the Internet.
Mr. Toyne is an EMMY award winning producer. His expertise as a producer and multi-cam director/associate director transcends a wide range of multifaceted experience in many disciplines of media production, including script writing and journalism skills.
He’s an award winning producer for television programming, genre’s include feature films, live events, original programming, documentaries, and film making. Most recently he was producer at UPM for White Air, starring Riley Smith, Dominique Swain and Tom Sizemore.
In addition, Toyne was a reality show producer on “The Real Roseanne Show,” with Roseanne Barr, for ABC Network and Domestic Goddess for ABC Family. He has also produced and directed numerous pageants and live shows, including Ann Laurens USA Petite Model Show from Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, NV.
Mr. Toyne has an extensive background in live events and music programming on his curriculum vitae. Recently, completed the 2009 PBS National Broadcast of Gershwin at One Symphony Place and was awarded a 2008 NATAS EMMY for Outstanding Event/Live, producing One Symphony Place in Nashville, September 2007 for PBS and as a LIVE HI-DEF broadcast worldwide. He was supervising producer of “An Evening with Amy Grant, featuring LeAnn Rimes in Nashville,” Geffen Records.
Toyne’s resume spans over 40years in entertainment. It includes credits as senior associate producer/special effects director on the CBS series Beauty and the Beast starring Linda Hamilton and Ron Perlman; Showtime’s Nightmare Classics with Laura Dern, Amy Irving and Meg Tilly; and Turner Network Television’s Dinner at Eight with Lauren Bacall and John Mahoney. NBC’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with Michael Douglas. For a complete history on Christopher Toyne career in entertainment go to IMDB.com.
Peter Baratti BELLA PETITE LEAD FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER
World Renowned Fashion Photographer
Peter Baratti was born and raised in Europe, schooled in the United States, and now resides in Hollywood. Peter originally started out as a student of architecture in New York, but soon transitioned to fashion photography and moved to California. It wasn’t long before Peter was photographing famous celebrity faces, including Jenny McCarthy, Drew Carrey, Penelope Cruz, Ian Ziering and Jay Leno to name a few. His list of photographed supermodels is quite impressive as well, including major names: Christie Brinkley, Cheryl Tiegs, Cindy Crawford, Carre Ottis, Kate Moss, Giselle and Adrianna Lima. Peter also discovered 5’2″ Colleen Shannon, the “50th Anniversary Edition” playmate, and has been a regular contributor to Playboy magazine.
Baratti has been instrumental in discovering some of the world’s most beautiful talents in fashion and show-business. Peter’s expertise and style has graced magazine covers, fashion editorials, product campaigns and commercials. He is an ardent believer in Bella Petite’s vision and feels it’s time the industry pay attention to the petite fashion market! PeterBaratti.com
BELLA PETITE CONTRIBUTING EXPERTS AND WRITERS
Nia Peeples Actress/Singer/Producer and LifeStyle/Wellness Expert
Los Angeles, California
Nia has been in the entertainment business for thirty years! In addition to a successful television and film caree, Nia recently launched the “Elements of Life” lifestyle website and seminars for women. Here at Bella Petite, Nia is our resident lifestyle and wellness editor. Check out Nia’s regular column “Sincerely, Nia.” This column is an insightful look at wellness and personal development drawn from Nia’s personal experience. Follow along as Nia shares her lifestyle insights and teaches women how to live a life of perfection!
Nia co-hosts the Bella Petite Hour LifeStyle show every first Tuesday of the month. The LIVE broadcasts are at 10:00 am PST on America’s Web Radio and later available on BellaPetite.com and iTunes.
Ginger Puglia President of GingerFinds: Fashion, entertainment, LifeStyle Trend Expert and Board Member of Bella Petite Publishing, Inc.
NY, New York: Ginger is a Fox News Trend Host and owner of trend intensive company that is focused strictly on clients and corporations with a strong aesthetic mission. She consults on merchandising, styling, strategic planning and talent acquisition all with companies on the forefront cutting edge thinking.
Ginger will be contributing fashion trend reports and articles for Bella Petite on fashion, entertainment and lifestyle. Bella Petite Hour Fashion edition with Ginger.
BEAUTY EXPERT SHONDA CHASE, R.N.
Palm Springs, California
Shonda Chase is a noted Beauty and Skincare Expert. She holds an advanced Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and is owner of the Revive Salon and Spa in beautiful Palm Springs, California. She’s been trained by expert leading physicians like Dr. Mark Bailey. Shonda provides skincare advice and services to many of the world’s most beautiful and noted faces in Palm Springs, Los Angeles and Newport Beach. We’ll get the facts on the latest skincare treatments to the stars that you want to know about! We look forward to Chase’s articles on beauty secrets and skincare techniques to help you have beautiful ageless skin. Plus, many petite model makeovers will be provided by Salon Revive!
Lynette McNeill Entertainment Expert
Los Angeles, California
Lynette has been billed as “LA’s hottest acting coach.” Lynette has been in the entertainment business for over 30 years. She is responsible for developing many of Hollywood’s most talented artist; Ellen Degeneres, Janeane Garofalo, Anne Archer, Adam Sandler, Jane Leeves (“Frasier,”) Faith Ford (“Hope and Faith,”) Jason Lee, Giovanni Ribisi and Adam Goldberg to name a few! Lynette’s workshops are by invitation only.
New York, NY
Maria Gamb is the CEO and Founder of NMS Communications, LLC. She’s an advocate of ”no more stress,” hence her company is aptly named “NMS” Known as “The Change Agent” she has over twenty years in corporate management at Fortune 500 companies. Working in various capacities as Designer, Product Manager and Director for; Macy’s, Geoffrey Been, Liz Claiborne and Ralph Lauren.
Sundai Love Actress and Petite Model Advocate
Los Angeles, California
Tyra Banks America’s Next Top Model finalist Sundai Love. Bella Petite snapped her up as a Cover Girl contender and her career is taking off! Sundai will write about her experience getting into reality television, petite modeling and issues important to young women. Currently, Sundai is continuing her education in Veterinary Medicine.
Tana Corporon Writer
Denver, Colorado
Tana has delivered time and again a power packed punch. Her articles on fashion, entertainment and lifestyle are sharply written with a quit witted edge. Bella Petite’s readers already demand more from Tana! She intends to keep our readers entertained, enthralled and asking for more. Simply stated with every stroke of the key pad she’s a petite woman’s best friend!
Jennifer Bollinger Regional Editorial Director
Chicago, Illinois
Jennifer has been on stage for thirty years singing and dancing. Recently, Bollinger was a winner in the “2009 Paulo Coehlo Film Competition” independent film festival held in Rome, Italy. For a film she co-wrote, produced and starred in. Jennifer will be scouting new models and directing Regional Editorial campaigns in Chicago for Bella Petite. She will also be writing exciting interesting professional petite women profiles, lifetstyle and event features
Angela Phillips Regional Editorial Director
Atlanta, GA
Angela is a Bella Petite Covergirl. In addition she is a fashion show producer and recently produced the first Bella Petite fashion show in Atlanta with twelve petite models. She will be working as contributing writer and petite fashion advocate. Her talent and business expertise will bring positive recognition to the petite female market place.
Steven Roddy Sponsor and Investor Relations
Atlanta, GA
Steven is a marketing and motivational expert. His company Steven Roddy Marketing is about “Success strategies for successful people.”.
Steven is also the founder of The Pageant Pageant. ”The Pageant Planet is your free online pageant coach that teaches you the best practices in pageantry.”
Swan Bowden Regional Editorial Director
Honolulu, HA
Swan is the owner of Focus International Hawaii. She’s been in the model and talent industry for twenty-eight years. Swan isn’t exactly fashion model height at 5′8″ (an inch below the industry standards). Swan successfully transitioned from model to business and in 1990 she launched Focus International, an award winning international agency booking talent for commercials, print work, high fashion, editorial and catalogue. Swan was responsible for booking models and talent for Tyra Banks America’s Next Top Model cycle 13 produced in Hawaii.
David Moxley AMERICA’S WEB RADIO Internet Entertainment Radio Partner
