NYC Jewelry Designer Barbara Campbell having a trunk show at Bloomies in Soho

So Fashiona's favorite NYC jewelry designer Barbara Campbell is having a trunk show at Bloomingdales in Soho.

Here are the details:

Who: Barbara Campbell

What: Barbara Campbell Jewelry Trunk Show & meet and greet the designer

When: June 24, 2011 - June 26, 2011, 12:00pm - 7:00pm

Why: Because she is an absolutely amazing designer and thrives on uniqueness and she is committed to "green" jewelry making practices. 

Barbara's jewelry is all handmade with vintage buttons, mixed-metal, leather, gold-filled and semi-precious stones; worn and loved by TV personalities Shaun Robinson of Access Hollywood, Lori Stokes of ABC Eye Witness News, Meteorologist Janice Huff of NBC Channel 4 News, Anchor, Sue Simmons of NBC Channel 4 News, Rosanna Scotto of Good Day New York,  Fortune Magazine senior editor Leigh Gallagher and celebrity make-up artist Mally Roncal of Mally Beauty.

AND Barbara will be featured on CNN soon...

Tiara ideas for soon to be Princess Catherine Middleton

Fashiona has Royal Wedding Fever.   On Easter Sunday...she watched Prince Charles and Lady Diana's wedding...again.  Fashiona was 6 when they got married and according to Mom watched the wedding EVERY time it came on. 

While Fashiona has not resorted to planting herself in front of the TV just yet, she does scan Twitter for those oh so important updates...like the fact that William has elected to have a groom's cake and he is following royal tradition by not wearing a wedding ring.

InStyle, one her favorite glossies, has done a stellar job of feeding Fashiona's wedding frenzy.  They developed a delightful virtual paper doll game where you can choose between gowns from Lanvin, Monique Lhuillier, Oscar De la Renta and Reem Acra. Then between 4 pairs of stunning designer shoes, a statement jewelry piece and finally a tiara. 

InStyle must have known that 4 tiaras  wasn't nearly enough to satisfy and shared 14 sketches that Designers submitted inspired by Kate. Fashiona's favorite of these was the one designed by Chopard.

Chopard, a jewelry house founded in 1860, designed a tiara that features hundreds of pear-shaped and round diamonds. 

Fashiona's cure for Royal Wedding Fever: she'll set the clock for 4 am on Friday April 29.

Barbara Campbell's Glam Rock Collection

Remember Barbara Campbell...she is an amazing jewelry designer that Fashiona interviewed in October 2009.

Photo Credits: http://www.barbaracampbellnyc.com/

Fashiona caught up with her again just after she launched her Glam Rock Collection comprised of Black Rain and Industrial Revolution.

Alicia "aka" Fashiona:  What was the inspiration behind Black Rain?

Barbara: The Recession... I needed to design long lasting, hard standing, overcoming pieces of jewelry that makes a urban chic statement about fashion life & style.



Alicia "aka" Fashiona: On the Vintage Charm Bracelet, I noticed that there is a key on it.  Can people send you old keys  and old charms to make bracelets out of?

Barbara: Yes...absolutely...call for details...646-391-5356


Alicia "aka" Fashiona:  It looks like you used darker metals for this groups, what are they?

Barbara:  Coated steel and gold filled iron.
Alicia "aka" Fashiona:  When you are working do you work in silence, or have music or the TV playing, just want to set the scene for my readers?


Barbara: I love music...I am Cuban...it is my blood. Most recently I have been enjoying the sounds of Bob Marley. My tastes are varied, from Celia Cruz and Tito Puente to Van Morrison and Bob Dylan and the Beatles to Yo Yo Ma I love them all! They bring out the best moods in me in my studio!!!


Alicia "aka" Fashiona:  Care to give any price ranges?

Barbara: My piece range from $80 to $300.  Please visit my website http://www.barbaracampbellnyc.com/  for details.

Alicia "aka" Fashiona: Your jewelry line is doing very well but I am sure as an artist you are searching for new ways to ways to express your creativity.

Barbara: Of course...the future is wide open and exciting. I feel the sky is the limit. I have just begun to expand my studio and have been exploring different techniques and materials for my next collection. Branding, Branding and Branding I love to get the word out about my Brand- Barbara Campbell Accessories! I also see in the near future design a hair accessories line:)

Alicia "aka" Fashiona: I think hair accessories would be a lovely extension of your brand.

Mariella Sheree brings fashion to the Midwest with FiveatSeven.com

Few things bring as much joy to Fashiona as shopping for (and shoes and jewelry) as well wearing her new found treasures. She does realize that many women like wearing new clothes but don’t actually relish "the search and find" otherwise known as shopping.



For these mythical women, Mariella Sheree, fashion designer and creative director/CEO of Five at Seven, LLC offers an online showroom at www.fiveatseven.com. The Web site offers affordable high-end luxury styles and womenswear for contemporary, fashion-forward yet busy women.

Fashiona: Who is your customer? What is her age range and occupation?


Mariella from Five At Seven: Five At Seven caters to women's needs, age ranging from 21-45 years old. These fashionable professionals are socially aware, avoid mass merchandisers, prefer shopping boutiques rather than shopping at the mall, subscribes to fashion magazines, and adopts to new fashion early.


Fashiona: The Midwest has a reputation of being conservative fashion wise. Yet the clothing that you have featured seem rather trendy. Is the Midwest ready for your fashion sense?


Mariella: The Midwest has a wide range of style. Depending on your status and culture, usually has a big influence on your fashion choices. The Midwest always been contemporary and trendy but you mainly had to travel outside the Midwest or shop online to obtain the fashion in that genre. Over the past 5-7 years, more and more contemporary and trendy stores are opening up in the local market, local Universities and Colleges offer fashion degree programs, and fashion is expressed through fashion week each season.


Fashiona: How is your on-line showroom different from the much talked about Bluefly.com?


Mariella: Five At Seven showcases all designers but most importantly we have our clothing brand. Our secret weapon is the ability to provide custom-made designs for our customers. As the owner and designer, I will showcase our next Fall/ Winter collection in 2010.


Fashiona: You have your hand in all aspects of design from conception to execution. What is your favorite part of the design process?


Mariella: As a visionary, I would say all of it. Honestly, I enjoy planting the seed and watching it grow into a work of art. I love seeing my vision come to light, finding my muse and constructing the garments. I smile knowing I created that.

Purchases can be made through the Web site or by email at orders@fiveatseven.com. For updates, special offers and events please sign up at http://www.fiveatseven.com/

Fashiona on Haute.lanta Fashion Week® founder Layla K.

 "Fashion Week" is really a six week marathon of fashion shows that start in New York and end in Paris with many shows in both American and International markets. At the tail end of the New York shows, Atlanta was showcasing its fashion talent.  Haute.lanta, the official Atlanta Fashion Week,  is the brain child of self self-proclaimed “Entrefashionista,” Layla K.  BTW...Fashiona really loves that term.

Layla K. studied journalism before pursuing design and merchandising at San Francisco State University.  She was known for her enveloping pushing  work as a couture designer starting in  1998.  Having since retired as a couture designer, Layla K. lends her extensive fashion industry knowledge to produce Haute.lanta Fashion Week®   now in its fourth year.

 In addition to producing the annual show,  Layla K. is also committed to helping others by serving on the Board of Directors of the Positive Edge, a nonprofit organization, that provides career wardrobe for economically disadvantaged women.  She  mentored many youth interested in fashion careers.

Layla K. is the one of the very talented few that has been blessed with a creative and an equally business oriented side.  Her efforts have been recognized by the Atlanta community that she gives so much to. She was nominated for the 2008 Atlanta Entrepreneur of the Year and   Haute.lanta Fashion Week®  runway shows  were recorded and aired internationally by The Travel Channel for Samantha Brown’s Passport to Great Weekends (www.travelchannel.com).

 This year Fashiona was only  able to attend  Haute.lanta Fashion Week® for one night but will be certainly be back to see what Layla K. produces next year. 

Rachel Roy debuting pop up store during September 2009's NY Fashion Week

Fashiona likes to keep up with the happenings of designer Rachel Roy because she is beautiful, talented and business savvy: all attributes that Fashiona admires.

Photo Credit: WireImage

Rachel in her own design at the 2009 CFDA awards.


So Fashiona was excited to learn that (according to Women's Wear Daily), Rachel Roy is debuting a pop-up store in trendy Soho during September's New York Fashion Week. The pop-up store will feature Rachel's Rachel Rachel Roy collection and stay up for about 10 days.

Fashiona has every intention of visiting the store and many of her favorite stores during her September Fashion Week visit...her very first visit since she moved to Hotlanta.


Fashiona