BeltUp Makes Gifting your Teen a Breeze

Pamela Garrett sailed from Broadway to the runway. Well, in a manner of speaking. A skilled seafarer by avocation, Pamela's first career was as a theatrical set designer and painter in New York City. But two years ago, she hoisted the anchor on her life in the theater and navigated her way into nautically-inspired fashion design. The result? BeltUp, her specialty line of D-ring belts for girls, boys, ‘tweens and their moms.

“I'm a painter, and I love to sail. I wanted to merge the two and create a classic design with a slight twist,” says Pamela. “I would go into these stores and see these cute, preppy belts, but they were so expensive. I thought, ‘I can do this, and I can do it for less.’”

So two years ago, Pamela put her penchant for painting to work in a new way. "Belts are a lot smaller than backdrops," she laughs. Pamela creates each design in her Norwalk studio, drawing her inspiration from teen trends, including text abbreviations like pz4all (peace for all), bff (best friends forever) and <3 (a text heart). Pamela’s creations are colorful, washable and totally affordable.

“Priced at under $15.00, they’re a great gift for the ‘tween in your life,” says Pamela of the pz4all ‘tween line of belts that BeltUp produces. But how do you get your hands on one of these adorable accessories?

“Several area stores carry them,” says Pamela, including Auntie Penny in Chappaqua and Chelasea's in Hastings-on-Hudson. Being teen-savvy, Pamela also created a Facebook page for BeltUp. “To celebrate BeltUp’s second year -- the terrible twos -- I’m running a special. Anyone who ‘likes’ the Facebook page is automatically entered in a drawing to win a free belt. I’m giving away two a month.”

With mom-friendly price points and ‘tween-tastic prints that even Justin Beiber would love, I predict smooth sailing for BeltUp, Pamela’s second act.

Do you have a ‘tween you’re shopping for this year? Leave a comment here and let us know what you think. Or better yet, text your ‘tween the link to this article and ask her what she thinks of BeltUp’s pz4all line. My guess is, the response will look something like this: OMG!!!! <3333!!!

Click here to follow Daily Voice Armonk and receive free news updates.