Devious Fashion Avengers unveiled memorial weekend

The Devious Fashion Avengers began their journey with a pocket full of gold, a bag full of silky fabrics and a briefcase full of electronics. Their Journey, which was funded by an altruist benefactress (bigwig/mogul), whose mission is to rid the fashion world of the Taikun & his Yakuza, began in Phoenix, Arizona on the Historical Route 60 (known today as Grand Avenue). The Taikuns tyrannical Oligarchy relies on the publics servitude to fashion, and only exists because Fashionistas everywhere are afraid of looking plain and simple. 

The Devious Fashion Avengers will empower the fashionistas, helping them to regain control of their future, by enabling them to fight off their fashion oppressors, via valuable tools that will ensure their green future. Each avenger specializes in frugality, maintaining high standards, while utilizing superior customer service radars. Their expectations of the most fierce, affordable and reliable fashions, wig design & computer repair takes us on a journey of sparkling roads, glittered with the best hidden gems. 

DFA #1 searches hi and low for the best possible quality & prices

DFA #1 :the barganista, set out on the journey ahead of the other DFA’s, in an effort to map out the best route to green fashion and a successful business. She stumbled across downtown Phoenix and landed inside the City Skyline. It was here, that she unsheathed her bargain hunting laser, only to be faced with excessively high priced shops, lacking in customer service. She immediately summonsed her coterie, and instantaneously #2 :the Procuress, #3 :the designer, #4 :the technician and #5 :the barterer, appeared before her eyes, appalled and determined to battle the Yakuza.

After a successful battle, the coterie regrouped and traveled to the Historical Route 60 (Grand Avenue). DFA #3 :the designer & DFA #5 :the barterer set out on their own. They were tired, needed to refuel and walked parched, inside the Bikini Tiki Bar. They entered an oasis in the desert, and enjoyed the tasty sweetness, as it washed away the travesty of Fashion injustice; which they witnessed from above.

DFA #2 always looking out for the best fashions & accessories at the best prices

Meanwhile… Back at the soon to be Fashionsta’s lair, DFA #2 :the procuress, wandered up the road, nearly toppling over when she encountered their new home base! It was perfect, with crystals hung from the ceiling, sparkling like diamonds. The place, which looked tiny from the outside, opened up into a 3 room field of dreams. ShopDevious.com was heaven on earth (at least DFA #2 :the procuress believed so!). She played with fashion, looking for a new disguise; and jump with joy when she found her perfect cover-up. She looked unrecognizable and fabulous in her newly designed long pink wig, and her accessories complimented her new fashions- something fierce, propelling her to ecstasy.

DFA #3 :the designer always ready to make you look fierce!

Shortly thereafter, DFA #3 :the designer assisted DFA #2 :the procuress with her wig design, after which she was determined to create a waterfall effect with her own new look. Inside the Beauty Supplies Shoppe, located inside ShopDevious.com , she found high quality wigs made of synthetic fibers, with skin tops and adjustable straps for a secure fit. She needed a secure fit because her next mission was a battle against the big box retailers, who take advantage of electronic’s owners. She enthusiastically joined DFA #4 :the technician on the road to justice, where together they would level the playing field, by offering flat rate computer repair for all!

DFA #4 :the technician keeps you connected to the world!

This was their 2nd battle of the day, and on their approach to the Taikun’s complex, DFA #4 :the technician would not deviate from the norm as a rule; and then (“no and then!”) his principles transformed him into a normal looking human being, so he could go undercover; and reveal his findings to the world. It would be achievable only with utilization of his secret weapon-his impenetrable stare. After he discovered inflated service rates and crappy customer service, he regeressed back to his normal spikey self, and continued to rescue stranded computer surfers, put in danger by the Taikun and his Yakuza.

DFA #5 :the barterer seeks trade/barter/swap always

Because the journey took an unusual turn, leading the Devious Fashion Avengers to the Phoenix Comicon, they needed to refuel, fix their weapons and change their appearance. Having had a second to search the city hi and low for fabulous stuff, cheap prices and high quality merchandise, DFA #5 :the barterer took full advantage of the trade/barter/swap program at ShopDevious.com She traded her clean, untattered clothes, shoes, purse & accessories for a new outfit. Most of her new items were free with her trade, and the others were deeply discounted. So DFA #5 :the barterer unveiled a plan to fatten their pockets, and captivate their audience in perfectly coiffed hair & new costumes.

Later that day at the Phoenix Comicon Convention, the DFA ran into the head honcho at DigitalPhoto AZ, where he surprised them with bright lights & flashes of the bulb. They were immediately catapulted to Stardom, because they uncovered & introduce ShopDevious.com to the public, like a debutante being introduced to society.  It is a one stop shop where Fashionistas, Super Heroes and Small Business owners alike could prevail against the Taikun & his Yakuza in all things Fashion & Small Business.

This Volume of the Devious Fashion Avengers was brought to you by our sponsors:

End of an era?

The start of a New Decade means the end of an era. An era where uncertainties were kicked to the curb, an era of non-stop networking and socializing, an era of fun & work all rolled into one.  The decade was loaded with fun, work, fun, work, socializing, fun, work, travel, fun, work, travel=repeat…..and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It was a decade of strength, compassion, will power and never ending amazement. Amazement at how much fun a small business could really be, if its centered around what you love and love to do.

I have always been an entrepreneur.  At age 6, I was writing down my neighbors addresses in list form (I was working=so I told my aunt), at age 7 I sold false eyelashes at the Park N Swap; and was hooked on the moolah, I bought & sold stuff in the 80′s,  sat and made big funky hair bows in the 90′s,  created designer wigs in the 00′s; and now on the first day of a new decade, i’m creating feathered hair accessories. I love to craft and create, but I love running my business more!

Its not been an easy job, but I had to do it! I’ve held management positions in most of my previous jobs, so this made managing my business much easier; however the challenges remained. My biggest challenge was getting people to take me serious, about  my wig business.

I looked too young, too happy, too inexperienced, too ________ (you name it). But that didn’t stop me from venturing into my second entrepreneurial experience, full force ahead. I laughed at those who wouldn’t see past their cloudy judgement, and this is what made me strong. I didn’t let their insecurities stop me from pushing full speed ahead, even though at times, I wanted to throw in the towel.

My true reason for sticking with this venture, lay outside myself; the bigger picture was that this venture was not for me. It was for all the people that have been kept down; for what ever reason. It was to help restore a sense of control over ones image, monies and success, but mainly it was to help those who suffer from hair loss.

In 1997, as I was growing my hair out to donate to Locks Of Love, I went into Panorama Wigs on Washington Avenue in Downtown Phoenix Arizona, (they then moved to Central Avenue just south of Roosevelt Ave=however bad karma has stricken and they closed shop in 2010). When I asked to try on a wig, the owner said “you must buy first”. I didn’t understand, because at the time there were a few ladies in the shop trying on wigs and not once did she tell them anything of the sort. Not wanting to create a stir, I paid for the wig, before I could try it on, and then proceeded to don a wig cap. It didn’t fit because of my long hair (it was down to my bra strap at the time), so immediately after taking it off (with her standing over me like a hawk) I asked if I could try on another longer style instead. Her words to follow broke my heart and almost made me cry; because I was the only one that was treated this way (the 3 other older ladies were busy in the background, playing around with all the wigs they wanted). She said “to try another wig, you must buy first”

Let me back up a little and share why this last statement broke my heart….At this time in my life, I had already lost an uncle to Cancer, my cousin Paul was having his second bout with Brain Cancer (right side first, then left side; RIP Paul Leo Lugo-2009; he passed from Leukemia), my aunt was diagnosed with Uterus Cancer just shortly before I went into the Panorama Wigs, and I had been planning on donating my hair, ever since my uncle was first diagnosed. I walked out of that wig shop with the biggest lump in my throat, imagining how my aunt would have felt to be treated like that. However, It wasn’t at that time that Devious Wigs & Things llc came to fruition.

About 2 months later, my sister received a mail order catalog; and low and behold- a purple glow in the black light wig was available! I was so ecstatic about the color, that I just had to buy it! I had never worn the White Bob Wig, purchased from the rude lady, but I was eager to get a purple one! When my order arrived (both wigs cost $45 in 1997) the hang tag from Manic Panic was attached. Being the entrepreneur that I am, I called up Manic Panic to ask what the wholesale prices for both the Bob Wig and the China Wig were; only to learn that the markup was outrageous!!!

It made me so angry, to know that people were preying on hair loss sufferers; just to make a buck. When I visited the wig shops in Scottsdale, to research the potential new business; I was flabbergasted with the markups. However the markups alone were not enough to make me go into the wig business, it was the treatment I received at the wig shops. No matter what part of town I was in, the wig shop tenders were always rude and very condescending. That rude customer service was the push I needed, to take the next step; obtaining my business & tax licenses, registering my trade name and establishing Devious Wigs & Things.

My business is to help women, look and feel better about their image. I also want to help save people money; because its not only hard physically or emotionally to undergo treatments for Cancer, Leukemia, Allopecia etc., but its also extremely expensive!!! Most people think insurance will pay for treatments and stuff, but this definitely not the case. Wigs are not covered by insurance, neither are most of the tests.

I was determined to create a place where all people can go, shop and feel better about themselves. A place where us Fashionistas can help the world by shopping green, recycling fashion and make people look and feel great about themselves. I was determined to succeed.

So the past decade has included me traveling from coast to coast, marketing. It has taken me to conventions in Las Vegas, California, Amsterdam, Holland and many others in between. It has given me the tools to help the less fortunate. It has presented me with an  Award for Theater Excellence in wig design. It has enabled me to sponsor beauty pageants, such as the Miss Asia Arizona Pageant. It has given me the means to help fashion designers and models via my Devious Indie Fashion Events and the Fashion In Motion series of Mannequin Modelling. It has given me the strength to help the less fortunate in my area, even though I face strong resistance. And most importantly, it has enabled me to help make this earth a little greener.

I have won several awards during the past decade, including the ‘08 & ’09 “Best of the Valley” by New Times and ’08 “Best Of” by Phoenix Magazine. Our Devious Swap (a free clothes swap) was televised and aired on FOX 10 television, Since the popularity has grown; we now swap and trade everyday! I created a ”Bag Lady” program, encouraging recycling by accepting 10 recycled department store bags for 10% discount off daily purchase. And created glitter books (matchbook looking handout filled with glitter) to help us get in front of our market on the streets!

“On January 1, 1998 I opened Devious Wigs & Things, LLC as a home party business. I soon realized the need for glamour products at great prices, especially for those in rural towns, so in 2001DeviousWigs.com went live. After having so much fun with the guerilla marketing efforts, in 2007, I ventured into my newest endeavor, ShopDevious.com Beauty Lounge & Boutique .”

~Anna Marie
Owner/Creator/Founder

I have been an adjudicator for Theater, had several articles written on my business in the Arizona Republic and their affiliates papers. I’ve been interviewed for Latino Perspectives twice and have been the subject of a story written on Women Owned Business surviving the economic troubles, here in the Valley. I have met a number of awesome people,  who want to help too. This venture has brought many people into my world that really do try to make a difference each and everyday; and i’m lucky to be in the presence of many of them!

This past decade also afforded me a brick and mortar boutique (we used to be available by mail order catalog and online only; after we discontinued the wig parties due to the 911 tragedy), where I create events for our community, while helping to make people more independent. It has opened an entirely new realm of my world. The boutique now offers fashion for Women & Men, accessories, purses, jewelry, beauty supplies and small business services. I have been working diligently on creating this one stop hub for small business owners and Fashionistas alike. The boutique also offers $30 flat rate computer repair services ($40 after your first repair) and website design starting at $300. Our graphic designer can design any required marketing supplies; billed at $35 per hour. I will continue to add services that are necessary to small business owners, because I want our economy to grow. I would love to see tons of small mom & pop businesses in and around Arizona.

I will tackle this new year diligently and successfully,  beginning with 2 awesome events scheduled for first part of January. On January 7th, at 7pm, Plaza de Anaya will offer a free Belly Dance Class, followed by a 7 drum dance, in the garden next to the boutique. That same weekend, January 7, 8 & 9, ShopDevious.com will host a booth in the craft section, of the AZ Home & Garden show; at the Phoenix Convention Center. On February 4th, at 7pm, a FREE false Eyelash application workshop will be offered (with a buy 1 Get 1 Free eyelash sale; for the workshop attendees). It will be a “Save the Earth” party where people can bring in their old, outdated & unused cosmetics to the boutique and trade them for discounts on Mary Kay products. Its also the day they can bring in their unwanted, untatterred and clean clothes, purses, shoes, accessories and jewelry for Women & Men to trade with the boutique. In May we will host a booth at the Phoenix Comicon for our very first time! We will also begin to host fashion & drag shows every 3rd Friday, to benefit the 1n10 organization (they help GBLT teens by empowering them, while teaching them to be independent). And finally, this decade, I hope to create alliances with other organizations that help troubled teens via fashion shows to lift up their self esteem.

This new era will be dedicated to helping people, help themselves. It will be dedicated to cleaning up Grand Avenue, turning it into the Fashion District of Arizona. It will be dedicated to having fun while spreading joy. I am happy to welcome anyone that would like to push green fashion, mom & pop businesses, or get their name out there. Together we will create a community of helpers, a community of supporters and most importantly a community of friends.

I look forward to sharing time with you this era.

Sincerely,

Anna Marie

Devious Swap taking off!

What began as a once a month event, “Devious Swap” is now a daily occurrence. People are starting to realize the value in trading their clean, un-tattered and in good condition clothes, shoes, accessories, purses & jewelry for women & men. In exchange for their items (piece for piece) the swapper collects devious credit (coins or tickets) which can be applied as a $5.00 credit towards any in-store item of $6.00 or more. If an item is $5 or less, the cost is only $1.00 with the devious credit. If the swapper wishes not to spend any money at all they are still in luck! Each swapper can collect 1 free item per devious credit (coin or ticket) from the sidewalk sale. Better yet= the coins never expire!

Time to clean out your closet and drawers and come swap with ShopDevious.com

Tons of gift ideas for the holidays, plus your swapping credit; will make this a pleasantly inexpensive holiday!

Swappers unit at ShopDevious.com

take a virtual tour of ShopDevious.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P5EyX1CJS8