My guess had been correct. When I asked if she were a Rolling Stones fan, the answer came with a quick "of course I am, silly" and a great big smile. "That album was my theme song way back as a little kid," she said. Without further prodding, I knew she was referring to the Some Girls release, 1978.So began my first chat with one Diva de Loayza. The setting was the morning coffee portion of our February TechValleyTimes FORUM session, where she had come to learn about the topic de jour: Guerilla Marketing in the Digital Age. All in support of her burgeoning mini-empire of funky fashion boutiques sprouting up in the Capital Region and beyond. Each one named Some Girls, as per the soundtrack of her youth.
Diva left this earth on Wednesday, the tragic result of a car-meets-bicycle incident near the UAlbany uptown campus the week prior.
The inititial news of the accident came but one day after my sending her a gift. While perusing e-bay's rock & roll memorabilia section, I ran across an original show poster from the Stones' Some Girls USA tour. This was an easy one: wouldn't that look kewl in one of Diva's local shops? Of course it would, so a quick PayPal transaction sent it here, and a quick re-packaging sent it to Troy.
It's rare to find a young, single, high energy individual -- as per Ms D -- having hit the pause button in the middle of a major business expansion initiative to put together a business succession plan in the event disaster strikes. So, it is unknown whether Some Girls will have a life beyond that of its founder and guiding spirit.
I hope somehow it does, for that would be the perfect tribute to her. If so, I also hope that poster makes it up on the wall as well.
RM
It's rare to find a young, single, high energy individual -- as per Ms D -- having hit the pause button in the middle of a major business expansion initiative to put together a business succession plan in the event disaster strikes. So, it is unknown whether Some Girls will have a life beyond that of its founder and guiding spirit.
I hope somehow it does, for that would be the perfect tribute to her. If so, I also hope that poster makes it up on the wall as well.
RM
Photo by Melissa Ann Argay, Expressions Photography
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I am devastated by the loss of my friend and fashion advisor supremo, the amazing Diva. I know she is a national celebrity for those in the know about all things fashionista. But for me, Diva, her shop with shag rugs, a chaise lounge for when a gal just needed to lie down, and her tiny dog Morsel, comprised a refuge in the heart of Albany. I admired her in life. I miss her terribly, now. Diva created a little heaven on earth at Some Girls, Colvin Ave. She is surely in heaven now, planning on a new clothing line for the angels....
My sympathies to her family, friends and her group of young helpers that obviously loved her as more than a boss.
My sympathies to you, as well, on the loss of your pal.
Nicely done. I used to stop by her shop to say hi to her and her little dog. Such a shame.
I hope the little pooch is being taken care of, because I know he must be missing her very much.
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