Happy Summer, Smart Girls!

In our eyes, July is one of the best months of the year. No matter how you are spending your summer, we all hope that it is filled with smiles, laughter, and lots of memories in the making. You may be wondering why we are coming to you mid-month, especially after our July/August issue already went live. Well, summer is filled with surprises and we just knew a Smart Girl like yourself would love the story we are about

to share.

We need to give a huge thanks to Rebecca Virtue, who generously gave up her valuable time, in the midst of preparing for the Miami Swim Show, to answer our questions. This was a fantastic experience for our Smarts Sharer, Gabbi, to interview a Smart Girl on a mission to help others through her own smarts in fashion design. None of this would have been possible without Bonnie Buchan, and her support means

the world to us.

So grab your computer, find a place in the shade, and enjoy a little summer surprise from your fellow Smart Girls.

Be smart and share your smarts,Emily

Smart Starter

swimwear for Soldiers

interview by Gabbi Oppenheimer, Smarts Sharer

Summer is the perfect time to be inspired, help others, and even refine your wardrobe. What if there was something that could do all three?

Rebecca Virtue, the designer of the swim

line, Becca Swim, graciously took the time to speak with our

Smarts Sharer, Gabbi, about how her

line helps wounded soldiers come home to a place they can call their

own.

DID YOU ALWAYS KNOW THAT YOU WANTED TO BE A DESIGNER? HOW DID YOU GET STARTED DESIGNING SWIMWEAR?I have always been the happiest when I’m designing/creating something. My mom is an interior designer, and I’ve was drawn to fashion. After graduat-ing Otis College of Art & Design, I set off to the world of fashion, and loved the challenge of designing swimwear—such a small canvas to make such a large statement. I did my homework and found Lunada Bay to be a great place to start. Little did I know at

the time that I actually found a “home” where my creativity could flourish for so many years!

WHEN YOU FIRST LAUNCHED BECCA SWIM, DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO INVOLVE YOUR COMPANY IN SER-VICE? WHY DIDYOU CHOOSE FURNISHING HOPE?Our company has always been involved in wonderful causes. We believe that being a good ‘corporate citizen’ is important. We have raised funds for chil-dren’s charities and the environ-

mental protection in the past. It is critical that we support groups that we know are getting help to those in need. Choosing Furnishing Hope for this collaboration was a natural se-lection. My mom, Beth Phillips, is the founder of Furnishing Hope. Having seen firsthand the impact that provid-ing a nurturing environment to recov-er from surgeries and rehabilitation has on our service men and women (and their families) with multiple limb loss or traumatic brain injuries was monumental. I knew we had to help!

HOW DOES FURNISHING HOPE BENEFIT DIRECTLY FROM BECCA SWIM?We have donated 15% of the net pro-ceeds from the sales of my red, white and blue groups. In addition to this cash donation, our employees want-ed to do more. During the holiday season, instead of exchanging gifts we brought in much needed supplies (tow-els, bedding, cookware, etc.) to help furnish even more homes. And, our dedication will continue.

HOW CAN SOMEBODY GET IN-VOLVED WITH FURNISHING HOPE?If you’re in the Southern California

area, there are many opportunities to get involved with Furnishing Hope. It is an amazing experience to volunteer!! Check the website atwww.furnishinghope.org for informa-tion and events. If that’s not an option for you, making ANY donation online is a great way to help the Wounded Warriors project.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY DESCRIBES A “SMART GIRL?”I would describe a “Smart Girl” as a young woman who has a balance in life: family/studies/work/fun. She is good to herself and to others AND she lives life to the fullest!!!!

“As we let our ownlight shine, we unconsciously give

other people permission to do the same.”

~Marianne Williamson

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