Fashiona enters Kimberville: I am Kimber Jewelry and Accessories

Thursday evening Fashiona entered the wonderful world of Kimberville.  Kimberville's,  I am Kimber is the debut jewelry and accessories line created by Monica Leapheart, the twenty-something founder and senior designer.

All photos by: PaParazzi

Chocolate Pink Lounge was transformed into a nontraditional showroom. Models of varying hues wore all white and held trays with  baubles on them.  Pink faceless mannequins displayed the balance of  the "I am Kimber" collection. All of her pieces have a combination of  metal mixing, chains, treated leather, pearls and lots of sparkle, with stones and Swarovski crystals.

 

 Princess meets Rocker Chick, Fashiona thought as she viewed all the pieces and she was able to speak Miss Monica for a few minutes as she was mingling with her guests. Monica shared that she was inspired by the world of make believe and the childhood world of dress up.  "I am Kimber" is a way for her to bring her love of sparkle and her adult aesthetic together.

As Monica says:

"Go forth and sparkle!"

Courtesy of The Garner Circle PR

Fashiona trades personal trainers for hard hats

In between award shows (Grammy's are next weekend...Fashiona can't wait), Fashiona thought she would update her readers on her personal dealings. 

After several months  at "testerone factory" with the personal trainers, Fashiona finally had to say goodbye to the six packs and locker room conversation.   She is now working with Mr. Baller and Big Red at a construction company, she runs the front office.  Although she has expressed her heartfelt desire to visit the actual project site, Mr. Baller seems to think that her tight jeans and high heels would be a distraction. So she is in the office most of the time and her glimpses of men in hard hats are far and few between...sniffle, sniffle.

Fashiona is still working at the boutique and loves it.  She works with a great group of diverse women and enjoys the clients that range from young professionals to hip grandmas to their men that come in for gifts.  Fashiona is on the visual merchandising track...in a nut shell keeping the store pretty, fresh and  constantly inviting.


Her appearance on BlogTalkRadio, Your 15 minutes went well last month, so much so that she was asked to be a regular guest.   Starting in February, she will be appearing monthly.  Just in time for Valentine's Day,  she is on the panel discussing Hill Harper's The Conversation: How Black Men and Women Can Build Loving, Trusting Relationships.

Should be an interesting discussion but it is a good thing that she has her Valentine's Day date already lined up!

Jessica Simpson's Denim Line

Say what you will about Jessica's beleaguered love life or her for the moment lackluster singing career (Fashiona is predicting a musical comeback), the girl has turned her image into a brand.   She has a notable flair to her style with the big bags, platforms, dainty heels, cowboy boots and lots and lots of denim.  Fashiona's own closet features several pair of her shoes and her handbag of the moment is a vintage looking red bag that Sis gave her for Christmas...thanks Sis.


As Ms. Simpson told WWD,

"Because I live in denim, the fit is most important  and a girl's booty needs to look good."

Quite profound Jessica. 

Photo Credit: Camuto Group

Jessica wearing head-to-toe in her collection

Now for the details, she  has partnered with Jones Apparel, a company with years of denim experience.  Fit wise, styles  will include boot-cut, flare, skinny, straight and much to Fashiona's chigrin....jeggings.  
The launch is scheduled for mid-July. Aside from the jeggings...Fashiona will be awaiting the line debut come mid July.

Fashiona wishes Jessica and her new venture the best of the luck and hopes that Ms. Simpson will join the ranks of the heavy hitters like Ivanka Trump who just recently announced that she is partnering with Marc Fisher for  a shoe line...THAT post is coming soon...

Mariah and Halle: The battle of cleavage on the 2010 Golden Globes Red Carpet

Fashiona was actually able to watch the Red Carpet Live because her work schedule changed at the last minute.  She has turned into a bonafide crackberry attempting to effectively coordinate her increasing hectic schedule. But hey in this slow to recover economy, busy is good.


Ok so back to fashion, Miss Fashiona chose to follow the Red Carpet on E with the super annoying Ryan Seacrest and adorable Giuliana Rancic. 

Fashiona, not a fan of Ryan Seacreast, in part due to  the uhh inappropriate Jessica Alba interview when she was preggers, does concede that he did indeed pull off the best line of the Red Carpet. 

Mariah and  her too-tight dress designed by Hervé Léger by Max Azria  dress prompted this zinger from Seacrest,

"Mariah brought her OWN Golden Globes"

Classic, Ryan truly classic.


Now Halle Berry, back to her signature short hair donned a low cut (front and back) black dress also.  Hers was a bias cut gown with lace inserts by Kaufman Franco.  Technically, her dress bared more cleavage than Mariah's but the overall look was more elegant.

There are quite a few articles on-line pitting Mariah against Halle.  But really there was no contest...fashion voyeurs including Fashiona know that Mariah doesn't ever really go for elegant!!

Photos: Jason Merritt, Getty Images/Steve Granitz,WireImage.com

See Alicia "aka" Fashiona's favorite looks from the Red Carpet  on her column on the Examiner.com.

Social Sunday: Teddy Pendergrass, a champion of romance

Teddy Pendergrass, born Theodore, known for his velvety smooth voice died  due to complications of colon cancer and lingering injuries due to his car accident in the 1980's Wednesday January 13.  He  was a permanent fixture on the charts as a part of Melvin and the Blue Notes.  He left the group and embarked on an amazing solo career.

His career was soaring when he was in a terrible accident in 1982, his brakes failed on his Rolls Royce and he was left paralyzed from the waist down.  His voice was left untouched.   After two years of therapy Teddy returned to his studio to record again.


Before the accident,  women flocked to his Ladies only concerts. His songs were sexy and explicit but never vulgar.  Fashiona's two favorites are "Turn of the Lights" and "Close the Door"; they include step by step instructions for men unversed in the dying art of romance.  


After the accident, people still supported Teddy because he simply kept going through the hard times. He kept churning out love ballads and was instrumental in launching the career of Whitney Houston. His foundation the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance, help raise awareness of spinal cord injuries.

He is survived by his wife and his children and his legendary music.

America helps Haiti post Earthquake

Haiti suffered a terrible earthquake and the world is rallying to help the impoverished nation. Fashiona is imploring all fashionistas and fashionistos everywhere to put those summer clothes that you don't need to good use, remember Haiti is close to the equator.   She will add to this post as she hears of opportunities.

*UPDATED JANUARY 15, 2009*

In Atlanta:

MONDAY, JANUARY 18TH, 6pm - 10pm

Hosted by Urban Suite Ent and AW Media Group , The FIX is a weekly a celebration, relaxation and recognition event for Atlanta's industry professionals. We will foster an atmosphere of authentic networking while promoting emerging and established industry brands and businesses.


The FIX will be collecting gently used clothing, shoes and accessories for the Haiti Relief Effort. The FIX will also have printed information regarding monetary donations and government contact centers.

Urban chic attire is required. We ARE the industry, let's look like it! As always, complimentary admission visit our new website: www.thefixatlanta.com


**$5 appetizers and $5 cosmos**



THRIVE LOUNGE


101 Marietta St.


corner of Marietta and Spring St.


Atlanta GA 30303


***************************

Through Friday January 15, 2009:

Fashion Philanthropy is a women owned on-line boutique based in Richmond, VA. Their mission is to provide their clients with unique fashion options from a carefully selected group of designers who are charitable, socially responsible and/or eco friendly and sustainable in their practices. With each purchase, the client is usually able to select a charity of their choice among Fashion Philanthropy's list and 10% of their total will go to that charity. In support of Haiti's relief efforts, they are donating 100% of profits on sales at www.philanthrofashion.com now through midnight Friday PST.

***************************



*UPDATE THURSDAY JAN 14*

In New York:

Thank Barbara from Babara Campbell Accessories   @BC_Accessories for tweeting this:

As of yesterday, you  can drop off clothing, canned goods and/or monetary donations  for  Yele Haiti at  Brooklyn's
Pieces Boutique 671 Vanderbilt Ave@ Park Pl (One of Fashiona's favorite boutiques)

***************************


In Atlanta:

Thanks Mr.Daniel Dickey, PR guru and R & B Singer


Wax Wednesday Tonight, Wednesday Jan 13 at 7pm Bring bottled water, SUMMER CLOTHES, 1st aid items, diapers etc to WAXGLOBAL @ 2160 Monroe Dr. Atlanta, GA 30324
twitter tags #ATL4HAITI, #WAXGLOBAL

***************************


In Miami:
Thanks Afrobella, wonderful beauty blogger.  If you're in Miami donate to Jakmel Art Gallery 7646 Biscayne Blvd. Bring nonperishable foods, clothes or write a check to Papaloko4Kids Inc.

***************************
For anybody with  a cell phone:

Haiti native Wyclef Jean, is collecting donations to help those affected by the Haiti earthquake through his foundation Yéle Haiti.  His website: http://www.yele.org/ is down at the moment but do please keep checking.

"I cannot stress enough what a human disaster this is, and idle hands will only make this tragedy worse. The over 2 million people in Port-au-Prince tonight face catastrophe alone. We must act now."

~Wyclef Jean

Via Twitter, he asked Twitter World to help in the Haiti disaster relief effort by texting "Yele" to 501501. This donates $5 to the Yéle Haiti Foundation, automatically charged to your cell phone bill.

Social Sunday: Tribute to Eunice W. Johnson co-founder of Johnson Publishing

The first week in 2010 was full of worthy topics for Social Sunday. 

• Annie Leibovitz's  prophetic Vanity Fair  February cover featuring Tiger Woods

• NBC's Jay vs. Conan
• Mariah's unbelievably tight dress followed by the alcohol induced slurry acceptance speech.

Since all of these received a lot of press, Fashiona decided to call attention to something that didn't get as much attention.  Eunice W. Johnson, the wife of the late John H. Johnson, died last Sunday at the age  of 93.

She and her late husband, John H. Johnson founded Johnson Publishing Company in 1942.  The company owns both Ebony and Jet Magazines and Fashion Fair.  Fashion Fair conceived in 1973 was the first cosmetic company that catered specifically to women of color and paved the way for later lines like diverse brands like MAC.

Before Fashiona  read Ebony or Jet, she was introduced to the Ebony Fashion Fair Show, the traveling fashion show that  Mrs. Johnson started in 1961.

Mom took six year old Fashiona to her first Ebony Fashion Fair Fashion Show.  Fashiona truly fell in love with fashion that day. All those tall pretty brown women wearing colorful wearing flashy clothes...it was the 1980's and Fashiona's very first thong sighting.  Fodder for family folk lore for years to come.

Fashiona just wanted to be a part of that world.

So thank you Mrs. Eunice W. Johnson for making fashion a tangible aspiration.

Fashiona on the 36th People's Choice Awards

Like all award shows, the People's Choice Awards had  its highlights, lowlights and  OMG moments. 

Lovely Mariah Carey, she is pretty and the dress by Ysa Makino is pretty, watching her hobble up the stage to accept her award in a dress as snug as a sausage casing...not pretty...not at all.

AP Photos

Fashiona loved the following:

Taylor Swift in  a white Jenny Packham dresss, Neil Lane earrings and bracelet, Odette ring and Christian Louboutin shoes.


A pretty preggers Paula Patton in black, Kate Walsh in gold and new engaged Carrie Underwood wearing Christian Cota.

Following pictures from the Huffington Post

And some bride somewhere is missing her veil, Francia Raisa apparently wore it to the awards.

What was Fashiona's favorite Red Carpet Look for the evening? She reveals her top choice on her Urban Style column on the Examiner.com.

Fashiona's first product giveaway: Skin MD Natural™

As Fashiona is typing this post, it is snowing in Atlanta...yes snowing! 

*Update Jan 8,2009

A decent showing of snow by southern standards

In fact the most recent cold snap is affecting the US from New York to Florida making the number of people with winter dry skin a record high.  Fashiona is helping combat her temperamental skin with Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion. 

First, she noticed was the light fresh aloe smell; smell in any product is very important to her.  Fashiona also liked the light feel of the lotion.  On your skin, it feels like a sheer lotion but works like heavier skin cream.

What makes this lotion different than other moisturizers on the market?

"A shielding lotion is unlike any other conventional, artificial moisturizers because it works with the skin to naturally moisturize and heal. Most conventional, artificial moisturizers only add moisture to the surface of the skin, but do little to repair the skin's natural barrier against moisture robbing irritants. Skin MD Natural breaks the dry skin cycle by working to help restore skin's natural protective abilities by bonding to the outer layer of skin, strengthening skins natural barrier against toxins and irritants that can dry the skin, while locking in the skin's natural oils."

If you are interested in trying Skin MD Natural™ product, please make a comment until January 14 on this post and include your e-mail address in the body of the comment. Fashiona will randomly select a reader and send them a full-size bottle.


Stay warm and moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.

Beyoncé bringing the heat to February

If Sade's album dropping in  February isn't enough to send temperatures soaring,  sexy songstress Beyoncé  is  debuting a seductive scent appropriately called "Heat".

Photo Credit: Courtesy Photo

Her timing couldn't be better.  The perfume release date February 2 is just after the 52nd Grammys and Mrs. Shawn Carter  is heading into this years Grammys with 10 nominations.

Beyoncé  put her all into this project like she does all other projects.  Red and gold are among her favorite colors.  She loves the looks of  antique bottles and the name "Heat"  is inspired by her fiery performances.

Beyoncé Heat  includes eaux de parfum in three sizes

1. 1 oz. for $39
2. 1.7 oz. for $49
3. 3.4 oz. for $59

AND  6.8-oz. Gold Sparkling Body Lotion for $24.


Fashiona is looking forward smelling this concoction in all its forms.

Social Sunday: Directness vs. Diplomacy

"Keeping it real." People use the expression all the time but what do they really mean.  Of course it depends on the person but often it is a catch phrase for justifying whatever they do or say, good, bad and indifferent.  For the sake of this post, Fashiona will define the pop culture phrase:

"Saying you feel without any pretense"

The case for "keeping it real" had some major blows in 2009.  For example, a very plastered Kanye West was justified in thinking that Beyoncé did have the best video but it was in poor taste at best to jump on the stage and steal Taylor Swift's thunder. 

 

Photo: Chris Polk/ Getty Images

"Fashiona" even more so than her creator Alicia is known for her directness but she still  feels the need  to edit her commentary.   She is certainly a free thinker but she does try to be fair and balanced and well informed before she "goes in" so to speak. Even Fashiona feels that there is always a tactful way to say most things...now having the patience always be that tactful...that is another story.

Will everyone agree with she says...no and that is ok because she loves a good debate.  Her love of debate is just one of the reasons that she loves watching the political "talking heads" on CNN in particular.  The reporters are duty bound to be impartial and the commentators from left and right spar  like they are fighting for the heavyweight title...drama at its finest. 

While Fashiona has the highest respect for journalism and reporters in general, she enjoys the freedom of being "unscripted".  She is at her best when she is partial and opinionated rather than strictly stating the facts.

Having that said Red Carpet season begins in two weeks, with the Golden Globes as the first major event where the stars are out in their finery and Fashiona will be watching with her critical eye and publishing her thoughts for all to read.  She does implore her readers to let her know if she crossed the line from slightly snarky to brutal unnecessarily  harsh.

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Sade's new album: Soldier of Love

Nothing  ushers in a new decade quite like a Sade album.  Her last official album, Lover's Rock dropped in 2000.  Sade, just shy of her 51st birthday hasn't visibly aged in at least 20 years,  has men across all races with a  "get out of jail card" with her picture all over it.


Sade is stunning by any mirror but Fashiona thinks her real draw is the air of mystery that surrounds her.  Unlike new artist like Lady (let it all hang out) GaGa, Sade only emerges from her private world when she has something to say.


Brilliant concept...her album cover seems to be "saying" a lot doesn't it?


Her personal style, like her voice is all her own.  She is known for her very dark long hair that she almost always wears off her face.  She embraces her freckles and has some of the best groomed eyebrows on the planet. Her jewelry ranges from big hoop earrings to ethnic necklaces, bangles and bracelets.

Since Sade exploded on the music scene in 1984, she has been an sensation. Her beautiful voice, part jazz, part R&B is all soul and her hypnotic lyrics are certainly worth waiting for...even 10 long years!