I wrote a feature article about Perrie back in November/December. I was planning on publishing it with the Diva Chix Chronicles, but that never happened so I'll post it here for you all to enjoy now. Some of the things might be outdated by now, and I do realize that it's a bit long. However, I think it's well-worth the read! And for the record, I got an A- on this article. Un-Diva-Like Moments on Diva ChixEveryday, girls (and a few guys) of all ages unleash their inner divas and fight one another to be top diva. On doll dress-up website, Diva Chix, divalicious girls and guys dress their diva dolls to compete in Hot or Not competitions and head-to-head battles, fighting for bragging rights in having the most fashionable diva on the site. Fierce divas clawing their way up the Diva Chix ladder ranking of hotness have to retract their claws and applaud Perrie Belle for designing the torn skinnies and poufy prom dresses in their wardrobes.
Diva Chix, self-proclaimed “World’s Best Dress-Up and Battle Community,” was started by Paul as a competitive, yet fun and friendly, site for girls all over the world. Launched on July 27, 2008, the purple and pink Diva Chix site only had a message board for its first month. Now, the site has multiplied to having a hair salon, facial spa and shopping center for divas to primp before strutting their stuff. Only three months after the main site launched, there are now over 20,000 registered users.
And all 20,000 users owe Perrie Belle a huge thank you.
Perrie is a bubbly blonde twenty-two-year old from Hampshire, England. With her porcelain skin and big green eyes, Perrie always has a smile on her face as she makes all Diva Chix members smile along with her. Having studied acting in college and practiced dance for three hours a day, Perrie is a performer with a wide range of artistic talents. Right now, she aspires to pursue a career in either makeup artistry or photography in the future.
When her boyfriend, Dave, was offered to join the Diva Chix site as an owner, Perrie quickly jumped on board, becoming the mastermind of all the clothes seen on the Diva Chix site. Without her designs, all the divas would be walking the runway naked and where’s the fun in that? “She is a massive part of Diva Chix. This site wouldn’t be the same without her,” says Diva Chix member, Kirsty of Birmingham, England who goes by Fragile-Heart on the site.
Spending five to ten hours a day drawing clothes for the site, Perrie loves seeing her work on display on the divas. The most popular item on the site is a pair of wide-leg cuffed flares, called the Purdy v2, which, like all other items, comes in sixteen bold colors including magenta, teal, and lime green. However, there are lots more than just pants in the divas’ wardrobes, including socks, headbands, belts, and now, jackets and vests. Perrie has designed over 300 articles to meet just about anyone’s eclectic fashion sense: sporty and casual, prim and proper, Gossip Girl preppy, and even, urban punk.
Although Perrie is known as the designer and artist for the site, she is so much more. Perrie is active in the Diva Chix forums, chit-chatting with the members under the alias, PerrieBelle. Perrie gives advice to members in their daily lives and is a great listener. “Perrie is lovely. She is really kind and genuine,” says seventeen-year-old Kirsty.
Diva Chix members are all enthusiastic about having Perrie be their fashion designer, calling her “epic win,” “amazing,” and “awesomely awesome.” Members truly appreciate the hard work and dedication Perrie puts into each of her designs.
“She has a real talent at drawing and designing and is very dedicated to her work,” says twelve-year-old Brit, Sophie, known as SupahSophie to the Diva Chix community.
Twelve-year-old Gabrielle from Las Vegas agrees, “Perrie is the reason our divas are so fabulous, awesome, and just all around pimp.”
While being a graphic fashion designer may seem like a walk in the park, sitting at home sketching virtual clothes that don’t even need to be sewn does not come naturally for Perrie. At first, she had no clue what she was doing and was learning the ropes as she went along. “Originally, I didn’t think I was good enough to do the clothes,” Perrie says. “If you look at the first few clothes compared to the most recent, you’ll see a big difference.” Comparing the “Betty Boop Top” that was part of the first collection to the newer and more intricate “Malice” top that has wraps, ribbons, ruffles, and a bow, members clearly see the improvements Perrie has made over the past few months.
While her designs have earned her fans, it is Perrie’s perkiness and bright attitude that has earned her so many friends on the site. No matter how dark her day may have been, Perrie is always bubbly and fun. She is always smiling and making others smile. “If you’re feeling down, she’s sure to cheer you up,” says Sophie, who has found a new best friend on Diva Chix in Perrie.
Christina, a seventeen-year-old from Ireland says, “There are no misconceptions when Perrie is concerned. She speaks only from her heart and puts smiles on people’s faces that last the whole day. We may not know her in person, we may not get to see that smile in person—yet we still know exactly who Perrie is and that smile reaches within. It’s so great having somebody who you know is so genuine and real posting genuine responses and opinions on whatever we may want to talk about. Perrie is a vital part of Diva Chix and it just wouldn’t be the same without her.”
And Perrie adores her friends on the site just as much as they appreciate her. “I love [illustration] and Diva Chix which I love more, I love it.”
