Fashiona at ArtFusion: Where Fashion meets Art

Last Friday night, Fashiona attended Celebrity Photographer Drexina Nelson's first annual Art Fusion: Where Fashion meets Art.

With Billie Holiday as her muse...she wore a pink flower in her hair and wore black and pink satin shoes.  If they were giving out a Miss Prissy award...she would have won one hands down.

 Alicia "aka" Fashiona with Steve Canal from Miller Coors

From left to right: Arkeedah from ItsArkeedah.com, Janice Lawrence-Clarke from JLC Productions and yours truly on the right.

Fashiona was happy to see her friend Arkeedah sporting her blonde curls and Janice looking ever so radiant in white.

One of  Fashiona's favorite looks from the fashion show.

Lifestyle Specialist Kenny Burns and BMW Executive Catherine Brewton won Style of the Year Awards.

From left to right: Catherine Brewton, Kenny Burns and Drexina Nelson

Read more about her evening at Art Fusion on her column on Examiner.com 

What is your handbag style?

Handbags are a girl's best friend! Whether your preference is a purse, hobo, bucket, tote, satchel or clutch, there's a fashionable and functional style for everyone. Stylist and fashion maven Alicia aka "Fashiona" Edwards shares her favorite celebrity handbag styles and gives us essential tips for accessorizing looks of your own.

Read more: http://www.typef.com/slideshow/trend-report-handbags/#ixzz1QWZj4IE8

Fashiona is writing for Tyra's Type F

So Miss Fashiona is moving up the  fashion "expert" ladder and has started writing for Tyra Banks's new website Type F. 

typeF.com is a groundbreaking fashion and beauty platform that offers women the personalized style know-how they are looking for, when and where they want it, at home or on the go. Inspired by Tyra Banks and her mission to redefine beauty, typeF.com is a community built on the celebration of diversity and the ideal of empowering women to be their very best.

~From Type F's about page

Her first article is about trends in sunglasses:

No matter what the trends dictate, sunglasses never go out of style and look chic with any ensemble. Style expert Alicia Edwards shares some of the best celebrity sunglasses looks and tells us how we can achieve star style. Please click here to read the rest of her commentary...

Social Sunday: Kate Middleton ushers in Modern Royalty

The April 29th wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William will be the most watched wedding since that of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer almost 20 years ago. The facts that both women knew that they were marrying into the Windsor family and wearing a sapphire ring that deserves it is own zip code are essentially the only notable similarities. 

The physical differences between  Kate Middleton and the late Princess Diana is obvious.  Diana was a blonde and preferred short hair styles and Kate is a long haired brunette. Diana was a direct descendant of King Charles II while Kate is a commoner by British Royalty standards. Diana was barely 20 when she married a 32 year old Prince Charles and their marriage was "arranged" by the family.

Kate (29) and William (28), met in college and seem by all outward appearances deeply in love. While Diana eventually came into her own as her ill fated marriage was crumbling...Kate is already a woman's woman who is willingly marrying the man she loves...albeit a very wealthy and famous royal one.

Kate already has a sophisticated sense of style and sense of self that I hope she maintains. Like the rest of the "royal voyeurs"  I am a bit concerned that she is getting too thin but I hold hope that she is just stressed and overwhelmed by the wedding process...like most brides in the "real world" would be as their big day approaches. All brides have to make some concessions when they marry but she can't even use her nickname "Kate" anymore in public and has to learn generations of dated protocol and she has the entire world watching her every move and decision.

I would contend that Kate is more similar to Michelle Obama.  Both are independent women that have been thrust into a role steeped in tradition and social exceptions. Granted the First Lady has more flexibility in defining her position, I am confident Catherine will continue to carve her niche in Buckingham Palace and create her own legacy just as lasting yet very different then the late Diana...starting with a much much better wedding dress.

Alicia "aka" Fashiona

For Princess to be Kate Middleton Navy is the new Black

Most Fashionistas default to wearing black when they are in the "business of being seen" but it appears that the soon to be Princess Kate prefers wearing blue and indeed she looks stunning in all shades of the color.

Photo Credit: Huffington Post

Prince William and Kate Middleton stepped out in Blackburn, England on Monday April 11 as part of their last official trip before they swing by Westminster Abbey on April 29.

• Her engagement ring...passed down from the late Princess Diana is a magnificent Sapphire.

• She chose a blue dress by Issa for their official engagement photo that was copied within nanoseconds.
• Miss Kate is often seen around England wearing blue as she was in her last official State visit as a singleton. Her lovely navy skirt suit was designed by Amanda Wakeley featured hook and eye closures. (See first photo)

Fashiona predicts that after she is wed on April 29 she will continue to wear shades of blue to her hearts content and salutes Kate for her personal style and hopes she stops losing weight yesterday.

And if the Royal Duo shares what else Kate wear in honor of the "something blue" tradition...Fashiona will certainly share.

Fashiona Rocks the Red Pump

Fashiona braved the cold today and rocked her red pumps in honor of the 3rd annual National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD).

Alicia "aka" Fashiona wearing White House Black Market

Luvvie Ajayi and Karyn Watkins, founded The Red Pump Project™ in March 2009. 

We use the red shoe as a symbol of empowerment to represent the strength and courage of women infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. The incorporation of fashion into the message of HIV prevention is our contribution as we hope to show that Awareness is Always in Style!™

Now THAT is Fashion with a Purpose

Tipster Thursday: When is a tag more than a just a tag?

Any fashionista or fashionisto is intimately familiar with the tags on their newly acquired purchases (or soon to be acquired purchases).

• There is of course the lovely designer label with "notable" price tag...must pay to play.
• The care label...also important because of the aforementioned "notable" price tag
• And now at White House Black Market (where Miss Fashiona works),.... the more fun Microsoft Tag, a very FREE cool mobile app  that runs on MOST  major smart phones

How does it work?

• Download the app from your phone  http://gettag.mobi
  Scan a picture of the special tag as seen on the Work Kit Collection - A  mix and match collection that can be worn from desk to dinner.

• 

 

• Watch the Work Kit  Video
• Share the Work Kit Video via Facebook and Twitter
• View Work Kit Photos
• Shop Work Kit Collection

 How cool is that...just another reason that Fashiona loves working there

New Year New News New Goals

Fashiona hopes that all her readers have had a good start to 2011. She has been quiet as of late because she has experienced a lot of change in a short period of time. This post is delayed because she wanted to share the news with her friends and family first before sharing in blog world.


Ready...here it is.


In December she moved across the metro Atlanta area in part because she got promoted to Assistant Manager at White House Black Market in a different location then the one where she started.  For those counting that is two promotions in a year and the latter in the mist of the most hectic time in retail...the holiday season.


With the holiday season over (whew) and a few days off in a row...yay!!...Fashiona is doing her best to, as her blog friend Dori  from A Little Yellow House put  it, "Push the reset button."

With Fashiona's new personal and work commitments...she will write less often but hopefully more quality (error-free) posts. 

Blog wise Fashiona is still very committed to covering:

• Fashion with Purpose events/causes
• Tips for achieving personal style and social commentary
• And finally with her photographer friend's help she will incorporate some video this year.

Long term...she is working on her first book...she is finding  that the whole book writing process certainly takes longer than it does in the movies.

Merry Christmas 2010 from Fashiona

I want to wish my readers, followers, "cheerleaders", photographers, designers, fellow bloggers and anyone who helps me keep this blog going a very Merry Christmas.

Christmas 2009,  I reminded my readers to remember the reason for the season.  This year,  I am happy to say that the people that I have encountered for the most part  especially at White House Black Market are focusing more on family and friends and the thoughtful gift rather than the budget busting one....yay!!

Please enjoy Christmas and cherish this time with your family and friends.

Love,

Alicia "aka" Fashiona

Fashiona interviews Andrea Kelly, dancer and choreographer

The world of dancing is very much in the spotlight with tv shows like Dancing with the Stars. 

Andrea Danyell Kelly…yes R Kelly’s ex-wife  has experienced dance from elitist world of ballet to the overexposed  “video vixens” and is sharing her journey with the younger set through her school, Andrea Kelly Dance Theater.


Andrea plans to open a dance school in Atlanta in Spring 2011. Between teaching masters’ classes in Atlanta, she weighed in on the state of the dance industry.

Alicia “aka” Fashiona: How has the dance show reality trend helped or hurt the professional dance industry?

Andrea: I don't think that it helped or hurt the professional dance industry. Some of the most talented dancers are the ones without formal training. They should change the name to "So you think you can show me technique". But the reality trend did expose the insular dancing world those who would never dance.  

Alicia “aka” Fashiona: For women who like to dance and want to get in better shape, what type of dance is a better calorie burner?


Andrea: Dance in general is a great calorie burner, because you use every muscle from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet. The fact that you are constantly moving keeps your heart rate up therefore burning calories at a constant rate.


Alicia “aka” Fashiona: Dancewear has to be functional and pleasing to the eyes what lines do both well?


Andrea: I love Capezio, the line is classic and many of there pieces are timeless and ageless. As far as shoes I perfer Sansha.


Alicia “aka” Fashiona: Sterotypically young dancers are prone to eating disorders. Is that changing for the better now the "curvier" figures are more accepted by the norm?


Andrea: I think that it is changing for the better, but there is still a lot of work to do because the images that are shown constantly are not real. Models’ flaws have been air brushed and photoshopped so the person appears to be perfect… but we all know that perfection does not exist.


Of course, there are dance teachers that push their students or company members to achieve a dangerously thin body that is not healthy for the dancer and I was one of them. A former instructor told me that I would never be a dancer because my "BUTT" was to big/round. My genetics has nothing to do with my ability to dance nor my love and passion for the art. A passion for dance is neither taught nor does it come in a certain body type, it lives in the heart. As a teacher, I look for the heart of the dancer and that often determines who will make it in this business.

Jewelry Boxes from SHOPNBC...the perfect gift for a vanity table

People always say it is the thought that counts…which is true but there is a lot to be said for presentation…the presentation ranks VERY high in Fashiona’s world.



If you already taken the time to select a special gift of jewelry, whether it is a necklace, a stack of bracelets, a lovely ring… then take another few moments to select some pretty packaging too. These jewelry boxes from ShopNBC keep silver and gold jewelry in tip top shape and will demand prominent display on any vanity table or jewelry armoire.

For the woman who has always wanted a Faberge egg:


Faberge-Inspired "Abalone Shell" Hand-Painted Musical Egg & 24K Stand



For the princess in your life:


Decorative Royal Keepsake Box:


The purple and gold-tone color combination jewelry box remind her of girlhood dress up days.








For her most special pieces:


Imperial Red Egg w/ Crystals Handcrafted Limoges Porcelain Box:

Handmade from fine Limoges porcelain, the egg-shaped box features a vivid red background, the piece is decorated with 24K gold detail and sparkling Swarovski  crystals.

Fashiona meets Mocha Moon's Lori L.

Tammie  Reed from Talking with Tami is a bubbly social butterfly who loves to bring varied groups of people together. Finally Fashiona was able to clear her hectic schedule enough to attend one of her gatherings...

Sunday September 12, 2010, Bloggers, PR mavens, journalists and met over brunch at Parker's on Ponce in downtown Decatur. Why...because Tammie invited us and to meet the lovely Lori L and see her  line of cosmetic bags.

Alicia "aka" Fashiona on the far left,  in the center Tammie is in pink holding a pink Lori L. tote, to Tammie's right Mocha Moon's CEO Lori L. wearing her signature brown and posing with a brown Lori L. tote

From left to right: Alicia "aka" Fashiona, Tammie Reed, Lori L. and guest

Lori's bags are fashionable and functional and eco friendly...a modern Blackberry/iphone carrying diva's dream. The tote bag is customizable, while the smaller bag, Perez  seen below is available in Mocha Brown.

Lori is as committed to eco friendly practices as she is to giving back to the community. Through Beauty & Books, Mocha Moon donates products, talents and time to help empower the Atlanta Metro area. She and her staff hand deliver cosmetic Couture bags filled with cosmetics and toiletries to women and teenage girls in battered women and homeless shelters.

These faux-crocodile bags are perfect for all your make-up needs from your vanity to your overnight bag with a mesh bag that meets TSA requirements.


Score yours at Mochamoon.com

Less is Modern according to Style Guru Lloyd Boston

Fashiona has always thought of  style guru Lloyd Boston as the original metrosexual...


On the heels of the release of his latest book The Style Checklist, Fashiona was very fortunate to score an interview  with  the man himself.....ok via e-mail but not bad.

Alicia "aka" Fashiona: Some stylists prefer to "pile on the accessories" but you seem to prefer the less is more approach. Why is that?

Lloyd Boston: I call it ‘less is modern’.  Adding accessories can be chic for magazine editorials on celebs, but real women with real bodies can sometimes get swallowed up in too many ‘add-ons’.Keeping it simple by choosing 1-3 amazing accessory accents allows for YOU to shine—not just The latest ‘it’ bag, bracelets, necklace, flower pin, shoes, etc., too much!

Read the rest of my interview with Lloyd and his picks for Best Dressed at the 2010 Emmy's on Examiner.com

Atlanta celebrates Natural Hair at the Glam Bar Salon

Last night, Fashiona went The Glam Bar Salon to celebrate natural hair in the ATL.  All the big and beautiful natural hair on display reminded her of her Fort Greene/Clinton Hill Brooklyn days and made Fashiona's heart soar to see so many women in Atlanta embracing the look.

All Photos by Paparazzi

Mae from Natural Chica

The ladies at Tress Talk shared great tips for making that tough transition from permed hair to a natural state as well as styling tips for maintaining a lasting look. 

• Patience: Growing out your hair takes time and there is no substitute for that.
• Moisturize: Natural curly/wavy/kinky hair tends to be drier than straight hair.  Shampoo with a moisturizing product and deep condition your hair often.  One way to sneak in a much needed treatment is to wash your hair at night and leave a rich condition in your hair overnight.  Rinse it out in the morning and then style.
• Avoid towels and let your hair dry naturally as much as possible.
• Embrace flat twists as a transitional styling technique.

Invited guests mingled and indulged in complimentary cocktails and appetizers provided by Seraphin Cognac.

Now Fashiona, natural  since 1999 would have LOVED to have known about flat twists when she was growing her hair out...

Tipster Thursday: Little White Dresses

Every fashion writer, stylist and designer worth her stilettos will advise a fashion challenged client to have a few little black dresses "aka" LBDs in their closet.  Wedding planners will happily assist you with picking a long white dress to walk down the aisle. But if you need a little WHITE dress... available credible advice is somewhat lacking.


Fashiona admits that wearing all white can be tricky.  So as the Summer winds down and the last of the All White Parties generally end around Labor Day...Fashiona has this advice.

• Black is slimming and white...well is not. If you are even the least bit curvy PLEASE  avoid thin white jersey dresses.  They reveal nooks and crannies that you would rather not share with your Facebook friends.
• White dresses that are structured are MUCH more  camera friendly. Consider the event, linen and cotton are good for pool parties and BBQs.   Satin and silk are better choices for dressier events.
• Avoid too much lace in a short white dress...it can look too lingerie like.
• Wearing white shoes with white dress can  read too "bridal" or can resemble a little girl's Easter outfit. Considering wearing a pop color shoe if you want to make a statement or black  or a nude heel if you want to keep it simple.
• And some good news an  A-line white dress looks good on just about every woman.

Photo Credit: Bluefly.com

Carmen Marc Valvo

white jacquard beaded scoopneck dress

Photo Credit: Elle Macpherson

Elle Macpherson

Photo Credit: Huffington Post

Scarlett Johansson

Queen Latifah wearing white at the People's Choice Awards

Edition by Georges Chakra Spring 2010 gown

Eat Pray Dress in Sir Alistair Rai

Are you looking forward to Eat Pray Love the movie with Julia Roberts?  Fashiona certainly is...

She and Sis went to Italy a few years ago as a direct result of them both reading Elizabeth Gilbert's book and yes like the author...they ate their way from Rome to Sicily.

Just as Mad Men has influenced fashion, the upcoming release of Eat Pray Love has put Indian designers in the spotlight.  Stars from Julia Roberts to Selita Ebanks wear Sir Alistair Rai  both on and off the set.

So you might not be able to finance a year off trekking to Italy, India and Indonesia but you can spring for some pizza, a yoga mat and some lovely pieces or at least one piece from Sir Alistair Rai by Kiran Rai.

Still from Eat Pray Love with Javier Bardem and Julia Roberts

Moghul Printed Tube Dress -Yellow

The Paradis Chiffon Caftan

Gayatri Mantra Peace Scarf

Fashiona's Summer Update

Fashiona has had a busy summer so far and realized that she needs to update her readers and send them a big kiss for STILL coming back even she can't update her blog as much...MWAH!


First Fashiona is still balancing two jobs...one she is at all the time...like until 4 am this morning and the other just occasionally. Two very different stores,  and very different customers...two separate checks...good times.


At the nudging of her mentor finally launched her website and has gotten more freelance writing gigs...yay...as her mentor ahem said she would. One that she can share is her new post as the Atlanta Accessories Examiner.


After a few months of writer's angst, Fashiona restarted on her book.  Rather then plodding through a novel, she has decided to write a collection of essays. She had been toying with the idea for a while because as she told Mr. Travels, her pseudo writing partner, she has A LOT to say. After meeting and interviewing young author Helena Andrews a few weeks ago and discussing the pros and cons with Mr.Travels she finally decided on that  approach... at least for her first book.


and yes she and Music Man are still making music...

Fashiona's Hair, Skin and Nail Beauty Tips

There is a reason that manufacturers cater to women with products that improve hair, skin and nails. Women are always trying to improve their appearance. Healthy hair, clear youthful skin and shapely nails are much sought after traits....certainly vain Fashiona seeks these as well.

Any health professional will tell you that a well balanced diet will enhance your physical and emotional well being.  They also suggest lots of water, fruits and veggies.  Fashiona's favorite holistic doctor...DocNicole suggests Juice Plus since it is hard to get in 7 servings of fruits and veggies a day.

Fashiona is lucky to have healthy hair regardless of what she does or doesn't do but her more temperamental skin and nails have shown vast improvement...even her bestie Topaz has marveled at the transformation.

Her secret...for the past 6 months she had been taking Nature's Bounty Hair, Skin and Nails vitamins...tough to swallow but no pain no gain.

For her nails...Fashiona has been using Sally Hansen for years but found a miracle serum that keeps her nails naturally resilient.  Lately she has preferred the natural look...no polish at all.