The Agency AZ model of the month – July

PHOTOS: Erika’s portfolio

Name: Erika Shelton.

City: Phoenix.

Agency: The Agency Arizona.

How you were discovered: Well, I can’t really say I was discovered. It’s more like I was born into the modeling world. My mom has been a professional model in Arizona for many, many years, so I’ve just been fortunate enough to follow in her footsteps.

Favorite job: My favorite job was working the LeBron James & Jay Z party during NBA All-Star weekend. The attire was humiliating, and I froze my tuchus off, but I will probably never have the opportunity to meet as many celebrities as I did that night.

Favorite designer: This might sound horrible because I know every model is suppose to have a favorite, but I favor what looks good and fits good. Any designer who consistently makes pants long enough to fit my inseam gets an A+ in my book.

Most embarrassing model moment: My most embarrassing moment was when I volunteered to do a fashion show because a model didn’t show up. Once I got backstage, the entire show was made up of itty-bitty string and thong bikinis. Not one bikini fully covered my tuchus. Not only was this a huge fashion event that hundreds of people attended, but one of my co-workers came over to me the next day and said they saw the entire show. Moral of the story? Check out the entire wardrobe prior to offering to help out.

Best beauty secret: Wash your makeup off every night no matter how tired you are. Keeps your skin clear!

Trademark: My height (6 feet). Even for the modeling industry, my height is a little above the norm. Most people know me or refer to me as “the tall girl.”

Last song you listened to on your iPod: Anthony Hamilton’s “Do You Feel Me” woke me up this morning.

Style icon: Halle Berry.

Dream modeling job: Victoria’s Secret.

Accessorize For Summer With an Ostrich Clutch

A girl can never have too many handbags. Thats how I justify my outrageous Nordstrom bill, anyhow. And while rifling through my collection of hobos, totes, and oversized satchels, I couldnt help but notice that my selection of clutches is severely lacking. Sure, they cant hold my entire makeup bag, my wallet thats stuffed to the brim (with receipts), my brick-sized PDA, and the kitchen sink, but theres something thats liberating about leaving all your daily baggage behind and going care-free and compact for your summer days. This season its all about ostrich bags, whether youre going for a bold pop of color (two trends in one!), or opting for a more versatile neutral hue thats amped up with some added texture. Theres something understated yet somehow ultra-luxurious about the look and feel of ostrich, yet can still be either dressed up or down depending on the occasion!

Pictured above: JJ Winters Chain Clutch in Green Ostrich, Marc by Marc Jacobs Bentley Ostrich-Print Clutch, Kate Spade Head in the Sand Darla Key Pouch, Dooney & Bourke Checkbook Clutch, and Rebecca Minkoff Collection Allie Clutch.

Dimitris Petrou Spring/Summer 2011

Last year we introduced you to the very talented Greek fashion designer Dimitris Petrou and his deconstructed, monochromatic collection. Continuing in the same spirit, his Spring/Summer 2011 collection entitled Theros (summer in Greek) brings draped silk tailoring, linen denim, his own vision of the classic button-down and tailored shorts and pants in a beautiful brown and navy color palette.

Dimitris Petrou /Theros spring/summer 2011 (promo teaser)

  & heads over at Yatzer for more information

Basil Racuk Soft Brief

This bag by Basil Racuk was made to order in dark brown cowhide and lined in vintage velvet. Not only are all the bags handmade by Basil in his northern California studio all the materials are sourced locally.

The Soft Brief is a great bag the leather is amazing and its deceptively spacious. We particularly love its unadorned sophistication. Dont be afraid to carry this bag around rain or shine it gets even better looking with a little city on it.

Soft Brief Dark Brown Cowhide, Vintage Velvet