Nikki Chats with Elana Pruitt, Fashion Columnist

She’ll markup your paper with a red pen, but never takeaway your individual voice. Elana has it going on in terms of her style with the ink and notepad. She’s the proud fashion columnist at Agenda Magazine as well as a writer and editor for Plasticsurgery.com. And as a writer and editor myself, I’m always excited to learn about other people that adore the architecture behind words as much as I do.

Ms. Pruitt simply holds her Hello Kitty pen with great pride – and her knack for online marketing and branding is remarkable! If you have a new business that you’re trying to promote, ask Elana! New (and totally cute) shoes that just hit the runway, she’s blogging ‘bout it!

Seriously though, this California gal is passionate about her work. “I feel it is an honor to have the opportunity to write about myself, the world around me, my interests, and anything else I want to,” says Elana.

Learn more about Elana’s work:

Nikki: I’ve read your BIO on TalkingChic.com, and glimpsed that your passion for writing began at an early age — I believe your BIO says 7 years old. What was it about the “power of words” that captivated the attention of such a young girl?

Elana: I never really thought about the reason behind my desire to write. I just know I liked doing it and I liked reading my own writing out loud (most of the time, it was to myself!). I thought that it was the coolest thing in the world.

At 7 years old, I will never forget hitting the Rainbow Gate store with my pops for a special “treat.” For me, it was a pink journal with a cute print with bears all over. The minute I got home, I sat down at the dining room table, and just wrote and wrote and wrote. I remember finally getting the hang of cursive, and I loved the fact that I didn’t have to pick up my matching Hello Kitty pencil so much to connect the letters. I basically recorded everything around me – from my mom walking down the stairs to my brother getting on my nerves. I even took it to school and captured my friends’ words on paper. To this day, Nikki, I feel it is an honor to have the opportunity to write about myself, the world around me, my interests, and anything else I want to. I think of people like Anne Frank, and young girls and women, who existed during a different time era. Those individuals should have had a paper and pen in hand, and the freedom, to tell their story.

At 7 years old, I felt that power … And I ended up giving that very journal to my mom for her birthday because I felt it to be a gift. She still has it.

N: I read that you’re a writer and editor for PlasticSurgery.com, an Internet site that “empowers men and women with the means they need to make informed decisions about plastic surgery procedure.” Breast augmentation and breast implants have a rising number in terms of risks and complications. How do you feel about this, and do you consider yourself to be an advocate for plastic surgery?

E: Ooooh Nikki, great question! I am an advocate for doing what you feel is right, and what you believe in. I am totally aware of the horrific sides to plastic surgery, and the importance of educating yourself before making a major decision. I feel that plastic surgery is all about looking like a better version of oneself – at least I hope that most people undergoing plastic surgery felt that way. I definitely don’t think it’s a crime for a woman to want to change a part of her body to feel more beautiful or confident; I wish there was a permanent solution to get rid of cellulite, to be quite honest!

I would just hope that for anyone considering something that could change their lives forever; that they have thought it through. The gratifying part about being a writer and editor for PlasticSurgery.com is that the truth is, we are doing the public a favor and meeting the needs of those who really want surgery. Breast augmentation is the number one surgical procedure among women today. So whether we are featuring ‘Le Mystere’ bras for women following their surgery, or discussing cosmetic surgery addiction, I am happy to know that we are informing those who are interested vs. judging them.

N: Tell me more about your editorial and writing career? What other projects are you currently working on?

E. Well, in addition to PlasticSurgery.com, I am still heading Beauty Chat and enjoying the wonderful blogs of the contributors and the comments of our ever-so-lovely followers. Recently, I have had the opportunity to become heavily involved with DP Mag (which you know about quite well, Nikki!) as its Senior Editor. Led by Web designer and consultant Elaine Biss, DP Mag is the new publication that arose from Divapreneur – the fabulous online community of business women helping each other become even MORE fabulous…

I’m still a committed fashion columnist for AgendaMag.com, breaking it all down in “Talking Chic.” Agenda is a publication I have been a part of since the end of ’04 – fresh out of college. It is near and dear to me, and the vehicle that allowed me to make it to some of the coolest LA Fashion Week shows ever. My Diary of a Personal Shopper blog has also kept me quite busy and full of ideas…

No Nikki – I don’t sleep.

N: I have to ask … I saw a snapshot on your Web site — and it appears that you were interviewing the infamous J. Alexander, runway extraordinaire. Tell me about that experience…

E: Well, it was a surreal-slash-frantic moment for me in ‘06. Just before the Kevan Hall show started, my editor (Kaylene of Agenda) gave me the nudge to go and get an interview. It really wasn’t a time to think or over-analyze or anything. So I walked over to him was hoping that I didn’t fall walking over the stage. He was a genuine guy, extremely taller than I ever imagined. I was probably wearing 4-inch heels in that shot! Neecy Nash was actually standing near him, looking gorgeous than ever. Unfortunately, I wasn’t as familiar with her work at that time, and I didn’t HAVE the time to chat with her. After I clicked off my recorder, I shook his hand, said “thank you very much, it was a pleasure,” and quickly walked over the stage to my seat before the guys in black had to tell me to move! (which has happened before – embarrassing). I’m so glad I was able to get that moment with him on camera.

N: Today is Valentine’s Day! Does Editor Elana have a sweetheart to share candy with?

E: Yes, my yummy boyfriend, Steve. He is definitely my other half - a shoe addict, a sensitive soul, and the creative friend that everyone loves! He keeps me sane, and thankfully knows how to remind me when it’s time to turn off the computer.