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!

Fashiona's favorite trends for 2009

In planning out her week, Fashiona had an OMG moment...Christmas is next week and New Years the week after...she is sending out e-cards this weekend...no time for snail mail this year.

It also dawned on her that she only has 2 weeks to round out 2009. 

So first up, Fashiona's favorite fashion trends of the year:

• Statement necklaces are everywhere AND as long as they make a great (and not tacky) statement, Fashiona loves them.

Photo Credit: Steve Grantiz/Wire Images

• Cuff bracelets, Fashiona typically wears bangles but she owns a few cuffs...her favorite is in her blog header. This year's cuffs are fabulous especially this one created by Gara Danielle featured in Halle Berry's perfume ad. 

Jumpsuits: Fashiona really does love them.  She is still searching for one that is flattering to her shape. Now rompers that is other little story,pun intended.

Photo Credit: George Butler

• 
  
  Thigh-high boots, great when worn correctly and absolutely frightening when not.  Monica wears them well.
  
  
  

• Sequins: Once regulated to costumes, prom and New Year's Eve celebration, this year sequins hit main street in a very tasteful way. Monica wears those well too.  

Photocredit: Arden.com

Of course Fashiona had to add one that she hated, strongly disliked.  Leggings...Fashiona isn't a fan mostly because women seem to think that leggings are pants...umm not so much!!

Photo Credit: People StyleWatch

Jean leggings or jeggings...worst industry term of all time...Fashiona prays that they won't make more appearances next year.

2009 AMAs Red Carpet Fashion Hits and Duds

Fashiona thoroughly enjoyed the 2009 American Music Awards last night.  Alicia Keys' and Jay-Z's performance of Empire State of Mind made her want to hightail it back to New York...well in a New York Minute.


Native New Yorker Alicia Keys wins the Modern Mermaid award wearing Giorgio Armani.

Alicia Keys
Photo Credit: Getty Images

While most gals adopted for short and slinky gowns, Fergie looked absolutely stunning in Giorgio Armani Privé and wins the Va Va Voom award for the evening...proving in her case more is more!
Fergie
Photo Credit: Jason Merritt/Getty

Leona wins the What CatWoman Would Wear  award in Vivienne Westwood.


Leona Lewis

Photo Credit: Jason Merritt/Getty

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Country Crooner Carrie Underwood win the Sweet as Peach Pie award in her one-shoulder dress by Thia.

Carrie Underwood
Photo Credit: Getty Images

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Now looking back through her posts as she does from time to time, she noticed that she tends to be harder on the ladies than she is with the gents so today she bestows the Double Hot Mess Award to two well deserving gents.
 
Adam Lambert...only Johnny Depp and Prince can wear eyeliner in Fashiona's book.

Photo Credit: AP Photo / Chris Pizzello

 

Perez Hilton wins the other one...no explanation necessary.

Photo Credit: AP Photo / Chris Pizzello

Fashiona did miss seeing Taylor Swift on the Red Carpet...she always looks so lovely.  But Fashiona understands she is on her tour and congratulates on her big win last night.

Fashiona on Ivanka Trump's Wedding

So Fashiona's Pocahontas outfit has to wait until next year...after two hectic days at the boutique  and a sketchy lunch Fashiona had to crash her Sis's and recover.

Earlier this week when Fashiona heard that Ivanka got  married...she was skeptical.  After all  half the martial news about celebrities is just rumor...like Nicole Richie's supposed nuptials!!  

But turns out Ivanka's wedding was for real and really very classy.

Photo Credit: Brian Marcus/Fred Marcus Photography

 Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump

Fashiona has always liked Ivanka for her work ethic and elegance.  True,  she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth but she has certainly gone platinum. Not content to bank on her famous name, good looks or  inheritance; she graduated from Wharton School of Business.  Yes she is a newly minted VP in  her dad's (the Donald) enterprise ,but she also has a self titled  super fab jewelry collection: 

Inspired by fashion icon Grace Kelly's  1956 wedding dress, Ivanka and Vera Wang,  created  THE perfect couture wedding. The hand made lace gown with sleeves is sure set to a good trend among the near future brides.

Anthropologie to set up shop in London

So Fashiona's Sis dropped a small fortune at Lenox Square over the weekend, apparently taking economists charge to stimulate the economy very seriously.    A  great deal of her updated wardrobe came from Anthropologie.  

Photo Credit: www.anthropologie.com

Although Fashiona does not typically shop Anthropologie; she did offer her opinions on her sister's choices...free of charge.  

And as of this Friday, the earth friendly, artsy, Americana meets Urban Chic store is  making its debut across the pond in London on Regent Street.  With this bit of news Fashiona is wondering if her bloggy friend Dori From a Yellow House will make her way there when she is London bound.

Photo Credit: Marcus Dawes/WWD.com

View of the new Anthropologie store in London.

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. 

Fashiona attends the Atlanta screening of Latino in America

Fashiona met her idol last night...Soledad O'Brien...true story.  She(Ms. O'Brien)  was wearing fishnets. Starstruck Fashiona,  had on a 3/4 sleeve black turtleneck and winter white slacks.


Where did this  miraculous meeting happen?  It occurred on Monday night when Fashiona  attended the screening of Latino in America at  Atlanta's Woodruff Arts Center.   The red wine was flowing and Fashiona sampled the best cubanos that she has had since her last trip to Miami.


The preview itself was 45 minutes and touched on the all the aspects of the documentary. One of more memorable parts of the night was the Garcia segment. Garcia is the eighth most common name in America; the documentary cleverly follows several families with the surname Garcia from all walks of life.

After the screening, Soledad moderated a panel with the final question being what should be explored in Latino in America 2.

 PHOTO CREDIT: Jeremy Freeman/CNN:

Left to Right: Millie Irizarry, CEO of the Latin America Association, Alex Garcia, NASCAR driver, Jerry Gonzalez, executive director of the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials, Claudia Goffan, CEO of Target Latino,  Soledad O’Brien ,CNN anchor and special correspondent and Mark Nelson, vice president and senior executive producer of CNN Productions

Watch Latino in America starting tomorrow October 21 on CNN at  9 pm Eastern.

Why Fashiona loves Valentino!

Somewhere between the old guard's "Real Fashion is Couture and only for ladies who lunch" and the reality TV era of "EVERYONE  can be a designer"...lies the middle ground of very talented and well trained designers. Fashiona has always loved Valentino  for his innovative designs alone but..she has a new found respect for him.

Photo Credit: NewYorkMag.com

 Look from Valentino's Ready to Wear Spring 2010 Line.

Since 1960, Valentino Garavani (known simply as Valentino) has been known for  his   luxurious gowns with sumptuous  detailing.  From then until now,  A-listers, royalty and other lucky women who can afford his label, clamor to be seen in his line. Who could forget the vintage Valentino dress that Julia Roberts wore for her Oscar acceptance!

Photo Credit: GETTY

Julia Roberts at the 2001 Oscars wearing the Valentino dress 

 Since Valentino announced his retirement in 2007, he has mellowed  a bit and weighed in on the state of fashion. 

In last week's WWD article by Jacob Bernstein,  Valentino was quoted as saying:

We are not only people having fun or partying, traveling in private jets and kissing celebrities. We are hard workers, responsible for thousands of people's jobs.

Well said sir...Fashion is a business like any other business....the players  just dress better.

BET Hip Hop Awards Preview Style Suite

Last week as Fashiona was recovering from the flu, hip hop A-listers descended upon Hotlanta for the 2009 BET Hip Hop Awards.   

The  exclusive special style suite to celebrate and pamper the  2009 BET Hip Hop Awards nominees, performers and presenters and  conveniently located less than a block away from the Atlanta Civic Center.  Celebrities included the newest "it"couple Eve Pigford and Lance Gross, crooner Raheem Devaughn and model Toccara.  

All  Photo Credit: George Butler Photography & CNDELOPHOTOGRAPHY

Eva Pigford and Lance Gross

 

 

 

Raheem Devaughn                                                                         Toccara

They and many more were seen enjoying a very carefully  selective range of high- end luxury goods and services collectively called "The Experience":

•    DJ Trauma Fashionable Loud Lounge - DJ Trauma incorporated a mix of music by this year's award nominees, never before heard mixes, and gifted some of the most sought after mix tapes available today.
•   Interscope/ Geffen Interscope Records- Beats By Dre Listening Stations
•  Adidas "My Adidas Campaign" Custom Footwear
•  The Glambar / Minx Nails - beauty pop up shop (featuring IIWII Fresh, MAC makeup)
•  Master Barber grooming 
  
•   Boost Mobile "Where You At" - onsite interactive
•    Custom ID.com
•  Godeva Loungewear
•  BET.com Media Drop Spot - guests had the opportunity to appear on BET.com's Award Show Section
•   GREATER THAN AIDS - (www.GreaterThan.org) - influences and high profile attendees recorded PSA's for this national campaign.
•   Hennessey Black/ Belvedere IX custom cocktail bars, Rhythm Liqueur,Tyku Sake,  & Nuvo
•    NBA 2k10 Gaming Lounge
•  MAC/Andi Y
•      Cami Cake - specialty dessert bars
•    Live U Stream feed provided by DimeWars.com

 

**Courtesy of the Garner Circle PR**

Breast Cancer Examined: An African American Perspective

Breast Cancer does not discriminate...it attacks rich, poor, Black, White, Yellow, Brown, men or women.   Even with all the awareness campaigns  and medical updates,  breast cancer STILL  remains the most common and second leading cause of cancer fatalities among African American women.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, cable network TV One will premiere 'Breast Cancer Examined: An African American Perspective' on early detection and treatment on Sunday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m. ET.

 Photo Credit: Diahann Carroll 
Black Voices.com

Celebrity cancer surviors like Richard Roundtree,  Gabrielle Union, Diahann Carroll are featured in the documentary sharing their personal stories.

Fashiona wants to remind everyone to watch or set their DVRs.   She will be painting at the Loft tomorrow night but she set her DVR already.

Fashiona on Paris Fashion Week Spring 2010: Elie Saab

"Fashion Week" is really  a month of fashion shows starting in New York mid September  and travels around the fashion capitals of the world.  This week  the shows are  in Paris and in blogworld, Louis Vuitton's oversized Afros are getting a lot of chatter...and rightfully so.  Just check out  blogger Afrobella's say so on the matter.

Controversy aside, Fashiona loved Beirut based Elie Saab's Spring 2010 and just wonders which dress  is (or dresses) Beyoncé is going to rock on the red carpet??  They are all so worthy of  Hollywood and Hip Hop royalty.

Elie Saab RTW Spring 2010

All Photos by Dominique Maitre/WWD.com

Breast Cancer Awareness:Michael Kors, Heidi Klum & Saks Fifth Avenue

For the 2nd installment of designers that are supporting breast cancer awareness, Fashiona brings you Michael Kors. Long before he was a judge on the hit show Project Runway, he has been making waves in the fashion world with his trademark Americana sportswear.

Michael Kors is not just a name but a lifestyle brand that has everything from shoes to his signature knits to home goods. Not only he is a master of design, he is also very adept at powerful collaborations. His latest is with the lovely Heidi Klum and Saks Fifth Avenue:

Key To The Cure Tee exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Photo Credit:  Saks Fifth Avenue/Michael Kors

Show your support in the fight against breast cancer. Over $30 from your purchase of this cotton tee which retails for $40, will benefit local women's cancer charities.

Saks Fifth Avenue will donate 2% of sales up to $250,000 over the shopping weekend

(10/15/09-10/18/09) to local and national women's cancer charity partners.

Fashiona on Alpha Shoppers

Well there are alpha men...Fashiona's current boyfriend "M Tyson" is one such male.  There are alpha women of which cradle robbing Madonna may be  one of the most extreme.  And according to Lucky Magazine there are....alpha shoppers.

These alpha shoppers were so coined after an on-line study by Latitude, a marketing research firm in Boston. Long story short, there are women between 18-39 who have household incomes of $50.000 or higher with the majority making $100,000+.  Although they are heavily influenced by everything from their peers to social media to traditional media to good old fashion window shopping...they still keep an close eye on their bottom line.  All while fully justifying their "spurge" designer purchases (Prada, Fendi, Louis Vuitton or some such $$$$ item)  as treasures to pass down to younger fashionistas.  

Photo Credit: Fendi Large Bag de Jour Handbag/www.bagborroworsteal.com/

So Fashiona has yet  another title  to achieve that of alpha shopper! For now at least she subscribes to Lucky Magazine.

Barbara Campbell: a NY Jewelry Designer with global appeal

If you have been reading Fashiona for a while then you know she loves jewelry, real and of the costume variety.  She got her nose pierced a few months before her 30th birthday partly for spiritual reasons and partly because she wanted a piece of jewelry on her person  at all times.  For Fashiona wearing jewelry... is as natural as wearing lip gloss is for some women. 

For  Barbara Campbell of Barbara Campbell Accessories the love of elegance is in her blood.  Fashiona was able to meet the Cuban-American designer via  a series of e-mail chats. 

Alicia “aka” Fashiona: I see you are of Cuban descent and raised in Washington Heights.  How does your heritage influence your designs?

Barbara: My Cuban heritage and my Washington Heights upbringing has been a blessing. My mother, Fina, was born in Cuba and her twin sister, Neri, still lives there. My mother's fashion sense was passed on to me. She always emphasized elegance and simplicity, yet with the passion and sensuality  that comes from growing up on a Caribbean island. Her sense of rhythm also has influenced creativity,  as a seamstress, a hair designer and now as a jewelry designer. I think you feel the heat, and see the elegance in my designs.

Alicia “aka” Fashiona:  Si muy caliente!! How do you name each collection?

Barbara: I name pieces after family and friends, objects of desire, and the environment. Usually as a piece takes form, the inspiring object gives me the name.

Photo Credits: www.barbaracampbellnyc.com

From the Renaissance Collection

 

From the La Vida Collection

  

From the Renaissance Collection

 

Alicia “aka” Fashiona:  Companies that have established a good customer service record seem to doing better in these tough times.  Your website disclaimer says that you will repair any items that get broken  through “normal wear and tear.”  That commitment can be seen as great customer service… or a risky move.  What was your decision process and what you say to the naysayers?

Barbara:     As a consumer, I always appreciate good customer service, and a feeling that I am being treated as if I was a very special and unique individual. In my business, I try to convey to each customer their uniqueness  and that my designs are especially made with them in mind. I also want the customer to know that not only have I solely made the piece from beginning to end, but that I will be with them for the life of the jewelry. These pieces are like my children and I want to see them grow, graduate and have a life their own. I take great pride in the quality of my designs and the materials they are made from. I always stand by my pieces and the customer. I want the customer to know that, and I want them to come back whether it is just to chat, look at new designs, or purchase another piece. So far that strategy has paid off in satisfied customers, and a very good "word-of-mouth" reputation.

Alicia “aka” Fashiona: Your line is at several  boutiques.  Any plans to approach department stores?

Barbara: Right now I am in boutiques in Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Hamptons. I like the fact that I have a one on one relationship with the owners and the salespeople, which is difficult in a department store. Also my pieces are one-of-a-kind, so a boutique is a much more appropriate setting.

Alicia “aka” Fashiona:  What is next for your company?

Barbara: I am currently designing a new collection with Rock Musicians in mind. I am also working on a new catalog for 2010. I hope to increase my presence in the Hamptons. I have just entered into an arrangement with Guild Hall Museum in East Hampton that I am very excited about.

Alicia “aka” Fashiona:  Sounds like you are making big moves and I wish you all the success in the world.  Thanks so much for chatting with me.


Barbara Campbell  Accessories is available on-line at www.barbaracampbellnyc.com and several boutiques in the New York area.  Click here for a complete listing of stores that carry Barbara Campbell Accessories.

Malia Mills NY  220 Columbus Ave. 70th St.  NYC  (212) 874.7200

Malia Mills  1031 Lexington Ave. 74th St. NYC  (212) 517.7485

Mongo  246 Smith St.  Brooklyn   (917) 671.7696

Therapy  77 Jobs Lane.  Southampton (631) 259.2555

Breast Cancer Awareness: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's Elizabeth and James cares

The social move from people diagnosed with breast cancer  feeling shunned to women being celebrated for surviving the disease has not come fast enough.  October is  Breast Cancer Awareness Month; fashionistas and frugalistas alike can combine their love of spending money and acquiring new baubles for a good cause.  

Every Thursday this month,  Fashiona will highlight companies that are supporting Breast Cancer Awareness through corporate donations.

Boho Chic twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen collaborated to create Elizabeth and James in 2007. This cute rose-gold-plated feather pendant on a sterling silver chain was designed by Robert Lee Morris for Elizabeth and James, and sold exclusively at Shopbop. 

 Photo Credit: www.shopbop.com

Shopbop will donate $15,000 to the Breast Cancer Network of Strength®, an organization dedicated to ensuring no one faces breast cancer alone. Consider this necklace a symbol of our support.