THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 22, 1997 TAG: 9701220038
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: 56 lines
AZIZA, A 1997 swimsuit calendar marketed toward African American men, finally goes on sale today after a series of production delays.
The calendar is touted by creator Anthony L. Harrell as a mix of beauty and intellect whose very name - Aziza - means ``precious, gorgeous and/or strong.''
Harrell was both the photographer and manager of the project.
Aziza features local swimsuit models Harrell is convinced can spark heavy sales for a $12 product.
Harrell says Aziza sells a positive image.
``These ladies are ladies you would want for your wife,'' he said. ``Our purpose is to expose beautiful women and their intelligence. When you read this calendar, you will feel closer to these ladies. You're going to look at the pictures, read the profile and you're going to look back at the picture in a different sense.''
Portfolio information, however, is as skimpy as the swim wear, and the 2-inch-square date block for each month is dwarfed by each page's photography.
Take October.
Model Diona is shown wearing a bikini and a bracelet. A rivulet of water drips from her long hair.
Her bio?
Definitely a diva of the '90s, this 20-year-old business administration student aspires to be an entrepreneur. A resident of Norfolk, Va., don't be startled if you see her traveling abroad and seeking new adventures.
Harrell explained that the bios would have been more informative if there had been more budget. Aziza had no choice but to go ``short and sweet.''
Harrell's bio?
A president for the local hair-cuttery Kappatal Cuts, this 32-year-old businessman hopes to continue in the publishing business. Married and a resident of Virginia Beach, he got his start studying accounting at Norfolk State University and has always enjoyed taking pictures. He hopes the Aziza calendar will be a stepping stone to other projects, including a men's swimsuit calendar and magazines.
Harrell defends the Aziza calendar for its content and says the models are all successful members of the community. One is a clinical therapist. Many are college students. One model, a successful graphic designer, plans to design next year's calendar.
``What sells is sex,'' he said. ``But (we) stay on a professional level, a classy level, a level of good taste.''
Harrell has no fears about potential sales, even though 1997 has a three-week jump on the calendar. Aziza will be available at Kappatal Cuts locations. Harrell expects to sell out his initial run of 1,000 copies within a week. A release party will be held tonight at Picasso's, a Virginia Beach nightspot. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by ANTHONY L. HARRELL
The Aziza calendar, featuring models such as Alvina, goes on sale
today.