The Cashawna Bonita Image Consulting & Artist Development agency, just had the opportunity to work on recording artist Danita’s music video for her new single “Can’t Get Away”. We provided coaching, make-up, nails and wardrobe. Check it out and visit us on facebook.com/cashawnabonita!!!

(Source: facebook.com)

The Cashawna Bonita Image Consulting agency had the opportunity to recently attend Mercedes-Benz Fashion week to see the KAHRI by Kahrianne Kerr Fall 2012 runway show. The fashion show was held at The Empire Hotel rooftop adjacent the Lincoln Center in uptown New York! Paparazzi filled the room in anticipation of her new line of clothing, while people from all over the world dropped in to see her designs. KAHRI by Kahrianne Kerr is where it’s at!! Her designs can be worn by the every day women, street chic women, rocker chick or the debonair women! We waited patiently until 30min after 11pm to see what was in store and then the models began ripping the runway to the sounds of the Eurythmics. The show was invigorating!! Check out what the designer had to say about her newest collection after the heartwarming fashion show.

What inspired your 2012 Fall Collection? The Fall collection was inspired by military looks along with an 80’s retro look.

Where are you from? I am from a small town in Iowa named Tripoli. Just a girl who had a dream to design clothes!

When did you begin designing clothes? I began designing clothes at the age of 19 years old and always had thoughts of being a designer. I made my dream come into fruition by starting at a young age and staying focused.

What advice would you give someone interested in becoming a designer in the fashion industry? Think long and hard before you decide to be in the fashion field. It can get costly and you don’t see your return in investment quickly. If you truly have a passion for designing, than go for it!

Kahrianne Kerr was just featured on 24 hour runway on myLifetime.com and continues to take the fashion world by storm with her designs. Many celebrities rock her clothes like Paris Hilton and singer/songwriter Keri Hilson just to name a few.  One of the most fascinating things about her clothes is that they are manufactured right in the heart of New York! We were honored that the designer took the time out of her busy schedule during fashion week for the interview.

KAHRI by Kahrianne Kerr can be purchased in boutiques all over the US and Europe. You can also purchase on: www.kahri.com 

photo credit: Robert Spinner & CB Image Consulting

Meet the masterminds behind CRUX jewelry Sennie and Angel. College friends doing business together has been a great marriage for the double duo! Check out what they had to say during our exclusive interview…

How long have you been designing jewelry? Three years, Crux was established in 2008 and that is when the jewelry designing really started for each of us. 

What was your segway into the fashion industry? Angel: I’ve always been interested in fashion and artistic expression. From a very young age I wrote poems and songs, revamped my clothes, learned the fundamentals of sewing from my grandmother and I loved to draw. As a kid it felt like my room was my own personal art studio and I loved it so naturally I wanted to work with my hands and express myself and fashion called my name :-). 

Sennie: I’ve always had a love for things that were unique and have always tried to alter things that were seen as common to be my own, so what better way than join in the world of fashion!

What inspired you to work as a team? In college we were a part of a group of girls that hung out tough, we had so much fun and did everything together and this is where our friendship developed.  A few years after college we both decided to take a huge leap and move to New York which inspired and fueled both of our creative spirits and cause us to start chatting about designing jewelry, clothes and plenty of other ideas. We started with jewelry and the response was great so we decided to commit to it and take it seriously. 

Your jewelry is unique and catches the eye. What is the inspiration behind your designs? Our designs are a collaborative effort so we pull ideas from everywhere and mix and match ideas that we both have but in the end it all works out to create a cohesive collection. Sometimes the smallest idea can spark an all out brainstorming design session which is always so much fun! When it is all said and done we create pieces that we can envision our customer rocking and looking fly and confident.  We call it Cruxy Sassy! 

Have you designed for any celebrities? Crux has a consistent celebrity following and had been worn by Beyonce, Solange, Marsha Ambrosius, Jessica White and more.  We would love to work with an artist like Kelise who likes to push boundaries and take chances. 

Have you worked with any popular clothing designers? Crux has some great things in the works for 2012 and we are very excited and looking forward to collaborating on some fabulous projects in the near future! 

Who is your favorite designer? Sennie: I really cannot say that I have a favorite designer but I do like Betsey Johnson because I feel like her designs definitely stand out and she is not ashamed to be herself. Angel: I never really have favorites but I like up and coming designers/brands like Shavonne Cooper for Shavonne DeAnn and Afia. They come up with some cool pieces that I can get into.  

What advice would you give someone who is interested in the fashion industry? Sennie: Research and know your market. Do not give up! Angel: I would just say, never give up. Anything worth doing can be challenging but you have to have faith in your talent and abilities.

You can also purchase their jewelry online at www.cruxny.com, and in selected stores in Miami, Brooklyn and New Jersey.

Our new logo! Don’t forget to visit us on facebook and twitter to see current projects we are working on  www.facebook.com/cashawnabonita & @CashawnaBonita.

I can remember the first day I met Nara Paz at the Lasell College fashion show held at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum this past summer. I attended the show with independent photographer Iggy Barskov who is also a professional partner of the Cashawna Bonita Image Consulting Agency. When I saw her work I was amazed! I had the pleasure of sitting in the front row to absorb all that she brought to the fashion table. I swore myself and the audience were in Paris watching this fashion show! Yes, I was day dreaming for the audience too. I just had to meet the designer behind these clothes.  

After the show I overheard Nara Paz speaking to a spectator, she has a bubbly personality and a very kind heart; I could feel the energy in the room as she spoke. Perhaps that is why her clothes are so animated and full of life, the workmanship of atelier lifestyle, that is. I introduced myself to her and spoke very briefly about my company.  We then exchanged contact information and that was just the beginning, I eventually contacted her by phone and scheduled the interview. Couldn’t wait to meet such a great person again! I traveled North of Boston to her design studio in Woburn, MA, where she gave me a tour and showed me what she does from s - p (sketching to production). She was so open and friendly along with her business partner, who also happens to be her husband. Two is a charm!! Now the interview begins…. 

How long have you been in the industry? I have worked in the industry in the United States for two-and-a-half years, but have spent many years in my native Brazil watching family as a child in the fashion industry, visiting the fabric shops, designing and sewing clothes.

What is the inspiration behind your clothes? When I began designing fashion I was initiallyattracted to the renaissance era 14th-16th centuries. To me this era was the most creative. As I have grown in the industry I have evolved to identifying with my customers, which are women. Women are all different and have different needs. I would say that women are my inspiration! Let’s not forget high end fashion and a clean classic avante garde look.

What are your strengths and weaknesses in fashion? My strength is my artistic creativity. I’ve always been good at art and creativity. At times the art and creativity get away on me. Take choice of colors for example. Sometimes I want to make my favorite designs in just about every color using a wide selection of fabrics. As my business partner points out, that is not practical. He puts a halt to this … let your market tell you what the colors should be through their buying interest.

What distinguishes you from other designers? I have a passion for art. I want to bring my love of art and all aspects of fashion design … textures in fabrics, shapes, forms, flow and colors … together to make each piece of clothing I design be distinctive, refined because I want to target the high-end and express the passion I feel when I am designing. Distinctive. Refined, Passionate. I want my designs to be striking but at the same time wearable. In this regard my designs are contemporary perspectives on classic silhouettes.

How is it having your husband as your business partner? He compliments my creative side, does all of the business deals behind the scenes and keeps the business balanced.

Have you designed clothes for celebrities? If not, which celebrity would you like to design for? I have designed a dress for Gail Huff, media personality who is also the wife of senator Scott Brown. She actually wore the dress to the White House Christmas Ball. I would absolutely love to design a dress for the Kardashians and Gisele Bundchen!!

What is the target market for your clothes?My target market are discerning women who recognize and appreciate high-quality high-value clothing. Women who understand the significance of attention to detail and quality of finish along with design distinctiveness and flare. My pricing is high-end. 

What advice would you give someone interested in the fashion industry? This is a very tough and competitive industry. You must be completely devoted and have discipline. Always be persistent xxx

What advice would you give someone in general? Whatever it is you have a desire to do, research and study to assure that is your path. You may love something, but it may not be your niche. Obtain knowledge before you pursue that specified career to assure that is what you really want.

After our interview we visited the neighboring room where her business partner/husband from New Zealand was busy working. He added that Nara used to be a graphic designer, but he is happy that she followed her passion to be a fashion designer and fully supports the decision. I call this a great and talented team!! Creative designer and business partner husband, who aides in the growth of business. #TheNaraPazdreamteam

To see more of Nara Paz, drop by her trunk show at ANIK on December 1, 2011. 1122 Madison Avenue, New York, New York

Cashawna Bonita Image Consulting would like to welcome our newest photographer Iggy to our fashion family and team! He is an independent photographer, but also a Cashawna Bonita professional!! Check out his recent work!! Contact us if you are interested in a photoshoot to include creative direction, make-up, photos and wardrobe!!! Pic is from a recent fashion show. We will be interviewing the designer whos clothes are featured in this pic very soon for our blog. Her name is Nara Paz and her work is extraordinary!! Don’t forget to like us on fb: www.facebook.com/cashawnabonita

MISSONI Runway show Milan Spring 2012 Womens Collection. Look at all of the vivid colors and patterns in this collection. We at the Cashawna Bonita Image Consulting Agency love the eclectic look of MISSONI and give this collection an A+!!! To see more fashion visit and “Like” our facebook fan page at: www.facebook.com/cashawnabonita