Fashiona

Fashiona’s best friend,Topaz, always says “Show me your friends and I will tell you who you are.”

Truer words have never been spoken and is one of the premises behind the hit show Harlem Heights which follows the lives of 8 black professionals and their friends who are all post college 20 somethings in their pursuit of  love, life and happiness.

Four episodes into a 10 part series, Alicia “aka” Fashiona interviewed Randolph Sturrup,co-creator of the show.  She and he went to college together at Florida A & M and  have a shared love of business and the creative world. 

Alicia “aka”Fashiona: What is the average age of the cast? They seem young…or are we getting older?

Randolph: They are between 25-30 and remind me of us when we first came to New  York…full of dreams and boundless energy.

Alicia “aka”Fashiona: You are right…it is like a flashback but these days I prefer stomping around Brooklyn.  I see that June Ambrose, a well known stylist,  is attached to the project.  How involved is she?

Randolph: For most part the cast, “dressed” themselves and June came in as needed. How do you like their style?

Alicia “aka”Fashiona: I have plenty of comments on that but I will save them for a post next week. But for the most part, they are true to their own style and that counts for a lot.  What was the casting process and is any part of the show scripted?

Randolph: All the cast members knew each other directly or indirectly and so there was a certain chemistry built it.  I call it a docudrama-because it is a documentary with all the drama.

Alicia “aka”Fashiona: Drama yes…4 episodes in and I can sense a bougie showdown coming between Ashlie and Brooke.  All that pettiness is the no 1 reason I never pledged.  I knew that New York City  would be more than enough of a hazing process for me.  I  worked briefly with Briana and I appreciate her realness then and now.

So  far, we are getting a taste of what the cast is doing these days. Will we get to know more about their various backgrounds and what really led them to Harlem?

Randolph: Yes, in later episodes, the cast of characters reveal more of themselves. One of my goals was to really start a conversation on what really happens after college.  You and I have been in situations like in episode 4 where  the  offensive question comes up “Why didn’t you go to regular college?”(referring to choosing a HBCU). We all have our stories and reasons for the choices we make… Harlem Heights shares that experience of these 8 and their friends.

Alicia “aka”Fashiona: Again I applaud you for  spearheading such a quality production.  What is next for you?

Randolph: My plate is full right now with pending projects and when I get the green light, you will be one of the first to know.

Alicia “aka”Fashiona: One last question: The girls on the cast  are very attractive.  Do you have your eye on anyone?

Randolph:(Laughing) I am like Papa Smurf to them.

Alicia “aka”Fashiona does not  buy it and drills him off the record…

See the remaining 6 episodes of Harlem Heights Monday nights on BET 10 pm eastern/9 central.

Alicia “aka”

Fashiona is still in Hotlanta, enjoying the warm weather and not feeling badly because when she left NYC last week there were inches of snow on the ground. She will be back above the Mason Dixon line later this week…to go to Saks Fifth Avenue.

Why  Saks???

Well…to see Shoshanna, who has become a fabulous designer in her own right…but many  people still know her  best as Seinfeld’s super young ex-girlfriend.  On Thursday March 12, she is previewing her Spring Line at Saks Fifth Avenue. For fashion followers in the New York City area…feel free to make an appointment and tell them that Fashiona(and Lindsey) sent you.

Shoshanna’s asymmetrical strapless bubble dress has been photographed on several well-known ladies(maybe soon to be the newest IT girl,Ashley Tisdale can’t hold the reins forever).

Audrina Patridge, Leslie Bibb, Demi Lovato and American Idol’s Kendall Beard

Fashiona was absolutely elated that the stars really took last night seriously and went for  elegance… Southern Belles  everywhere are rejoicing.

Even repeat fashion offenders Lisa Rinna (who still needs to ease up cease with the collagen injections)

and Tilda Swinton looked better than usual in a beige draped blouse and black satin skirt, both by Lanvin.

  She went the vintage route

Taraji P. Henson

Fashiona was okay with this  navy one-shoulder gown by Georges Chakra

Hollywood’s version Confessions of a Shopaholic

was released on February 13…

No Fashiona has not seen it. She wanted to read the book first and as of yesterday she has.

Prior to Fashiona’s February  Fabulousity post, Kelly from 30 something had already expressed her irritation with the movie changing the setting of the story from London to Manhattan. Kelly has read the entire  series and is therefore more attached. Read her post, it is quite funny.

Sophie Kinsella’s book  is delightful and  part of what makes it charming are the British sayings(Mum,bloke,bloody, loo). Fashiona found it challenging to convert sterling pounds to dollars in her head to determine just how broke Rebecca Bloomwood really was. The harassing and increasingly frequent  letters that she received from her many creditors were quite eloquent but honed on the fact that little Miss Spendthrift addicted to Jimmy Choos did indeed have to pay back the money(a universal lesson that Fashiona is learning too.)

Having that said, Fashiona will probably watch the movie when it comes out on DVD since  movie going is NOT  part of her streamlined budget. 

Fashiona is off to the Alexandre Herchcovitch show.