BELLA Magazine’s 2025 Fashion Issue

If you had told me a year ago that I’d be staring back at myself on the cover of BELLA Magazine’s Fashion Issue, I probably would’ve laughed. Growing up in Mediapolis, Iowa, on my family’s farm, I was a small-town girl with big dreams that felt almost too big to say out loud. Dance was my first love, fashion was my curiosity, and New York City was the dream I carried with me.

Fast forward to today: I’m honored, humbled, and honestly still in awe to share that I’m officially on the cover of BELLA’s Fashion Issue. This moment feels surreal—not because I didn’t believe it could happen, but because the journey here has been filled with leaps of faith, a lot of learning, and the support of people who saw something in me before I fully saw it in myself.

Working with BELLA Media + Co. has opened so many doors, but it’s also grounded me in who I am. Being photographed by the legendary Nigel Barker for this issue was one of those “pinch me” moments I’ll never forget.

This cover isn’t just a picture. It’s a statement: that dreams don’t have to stay dreams. That small-town girls can find their way into big-city lights. That the fashion industry has room for authenticity, hard work, and heart.

And the timing couldn’t be more perfect. As we soft launch Hello Gorgeous Beauty Co., the brand I co-founded with my mentor Vanessa Coppes, being on this cover feels like a symbol of everything we’re building together—a reminder that beauty isn’t just about how you look, it’s about the confidence and belief you carry into every room.

To everyone who has supported me so far—thank you. This is our moment. And to every young girl in a small town flipping through these pages, know this: if you can see it, and you’re willing to work for it, it is possible.

Here’s to dreaming big, working hard, and celebrating the gorgeous journey ahead.

💋 Annabelle