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So THIS Happened is Wichita's podcast for real talk, local culture, and the occasional glass of bubbles — and this episode marks a first: our very first live Sip Squad Session, recorded live from Bubbles Champagne Bar in downtown Wichita, Kansas, with hosts Jen Cole and Rachel Chappelle.

Joining them live is Stella Hankins, founder and creative director of Bella Bonita Designs, a Wichita live-illustration and fine art studio. Stella's work has taken her from Prada and Dior runways to Fendi activations — and now to a storefront on St. Francis in downtown Wichita. Tonight, she's talking about all of it: the global career, the move home, and the quieter, harder season she's been walking through this year.

FIRST-EVER LIVE SIP SQUAD SESSION

This one was different from the jump — our first time recording live in front of an audience, and our first time broadcasting live on YouTube and Facebook. Huge thanks to Bubbles Champagne Bar for hosting, and to Tony Vu (DJ Panda) of Vu Events for keeping the room hyped all night.

FROM RUSSIA TO WICHITA, BY WAY OF EVERYWHERE

Stella was born in Russia and immigrated to the U.S. as a child, later living in Geneva, New York City, Paris, and Savannah before her family landed in Wichita. She built her live-illustration career along the way, working events for luxury brands including Prada, Tiffany & Co., Dior, and Fendi. Nearly a decade ago, she moved to Wichita to be closer to family and ended up staying. She launched Bella Bonita Designs in January 2020 — timing that meant starting a business right as the world shut down. The studio pivoted early into mask-making and community mask drives before growing into the working studio and storefront it is today.

NINE YEARS SOBER, REBUILDING AFTER A BREAKUP

Stella has been sober for nine years. This past year, she's navigated the end of an eight-year relationship — a breakup she's walked through fully sober, leaning on new outlets instead of old habits. She talked openly about what's helped: AA meetings, her sponsor, spontaneous trips, the shooting range with her mom, and journaling that turns into sketches. "Once you get rid of that block," she said, "it opens up so many other channels." Her advice for anyone sitting with something hard right now: time actually does heal — listen to the signs when something isn't working, and trust the process of honoring what's right for you.

BEFORE YOU GO

Find Stella and Bella Bonita Designs on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook @bellabonitadesigns, or online at bellabonitadesigns.com. Visit the studio in person, diagonal from Bubbles Champagne Bar on St. Francis in downtown Wichita, open Wednesday–Saturday, 10am–6pm.

Sip Squad merch is live — Uncorked and Slightly Unhinged is 15% through July 31 with code STHANNIVERSARY, and Messy is My Polished (10% of profits go to Ballet Wichita).

This episode is proudly presented by Vu Events — "It had to be Vu!" — and recorded live at Bubbles Champagne Bar.

So THIS Happened is Wichita's podcast for real talk, local culture, and the occasional Taylor Swift spiral. Hosted by Jen Cole and Rachel Chappelle. New episodes drop weekly — find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

So THIS happened.

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