Design By U Jewelry

AFWNY

2011-07-28T13:51:00.004-04:00

Design By U showcased at Africa Fashion Week New York on July 16th, 2011

New York, New York - July 2011 at Africa Fashion Week NY

Design By U Showcased at Africa Fashion Week New York and was also one of many vendors. AFWNY, produced by Adirée, took place July 14th, 15th and 16th at the Broad Street Ballroom in NYC’s financial district.

Fatima Samad, jewelry designer for DBU, combines influences from East and West Africa. Design By U is known for the shapes and colors of every piece. Not only will Fatima Samad have her own show during Africa Fashion Week New York; her pieces will be used throughout the runway shows with multiple designers, tying their diverse styles collectively.

“Each piece of Design By U has its own character. I feel there is a piece for everyone. It will make you feel like the design was by you,” said Adiat Disu, director of Africa Fashion Week New York.

AFWNY includes runway shows hosting 21+ designers from various countries in Africa and those of the African Diaspora, exhibitions and industry networking events. Opening designer, Korto Momolu and designers like Washington Roberts, Saint Wobil, AAMAA Couture, Bill Witherspoon and others will showcase. Sponsors include PopDrum, Mo-Saique, AveYou, Makari de Suisse, Renarda Joy and Avaloni Studios.

By Kim Mensah

Adirée

Public Relations

Model: Ajang Majok

Makeup and Hair: Hazel Eyed Queen

Jewelry: Design By U

Photographer: ManneQuin 6ix

Assistant to Photographer: Chris Rayne Stewart

A Recap of the Runway

Design By U

Designer Tori Famuyiwa

Designer Saint Wobil

Designer Adama Paris

Designer John Ashford

Designer Saint Wobil

Designer Blackbird Designs

International African Arts Festival

2011-07-05T14:59:00.000-04:00

International African Arts Festival

Design By U was a vendor at the 40th Annual International African Arts Festival, July 1st - July 4th, 2011, at Commodore Barry Park, in Downtown Brooklyn, NY. This four-day annual arts and crafts festival, a Brooklyn summer institution since 1971, included an African Marketplace, dance and music performances, and fashion shows.

Drums for sale...Photo by... By Hand Media

Artwork for sale...Photo by... By Hand Media

Muslimah & Shana Joseph CEO of Glamourous Chicks Cosmetics also Design By U's vending buddy :-)

Fatima & Muslimah

Photo by Marvin Jackson

Photo by...By Hand Media

Odunde Festival

2011-06-13T14:00:00.000-04:00

Odunde Festival

Design By U vended at the annual Odunde African Street Festival, the longest-running and largest African-American street festival on the East coast. It with live with music, dance performances, food, activities and an authentic African marketplace. The Odunde Festival covered more than 12 city blocks, bringing a celebration of Africa to South Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The celebration always begins with a blessing at the Schuylkill River, then transforms into a joyous street fair centered at 23rd and South Streets, and continues down Grays Ferry Avenue. Design By U was one of 300 vendors, many of whom hail from various African countries such as Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria and Guinea, and there were live performers whom provided the soundscape all day on two stages.

DanceAfrica 2011 Bazaar

2011-05-31T13:29:00.000-04:00

DanceAfrica 2011 Bazaar

This year, on the Memorial Day Weekend, May 28th-30th, 2011, We helped celebrate the 34th year of a rich and diverse cultural heritage of Africa and its diaspora at the DanceAfrica 2011 Bazaar. Design By U was one of 200 vendors from around the world on the streets surrounding BAM.

A Memorial Day weekend tradition, DanceAfrica is not only packed with vendors but also with dance, music, art, film, and community events. The Bazaar also featured entertainment for families with face painting and crafts at the Children's Village.

Pictures taken & provided by Kaneo Designs

F.A.C.E. List Awards Launching

2011-04-12T13:34:00.001-04:00

F.A.C.E. List Awards Launching

Face2Face Africa provides a comprehensive array of African focus media with the aim of improving Africa's image in the global community.

It's areas of expertise include television, photojournalism, creative writing, fashion, politics, and community service. F2FAfrica provides customized viewing experience across all media outlets with quality programming guaranteed to reach a wide demographic on the back of innovation in media distribution.

The team is committed to ensuring first class media output that rivals content seen in world class media outlets. In 2010, Face2Face Africa has been billed to be a potential breath of fresh air in the African media scene...

On March 26th, 2011, at the Broad Street Ballroom in NYC, many met fascinating Africans committed to excellence! The highlights of the event included a fashion show by Cote Minou, Aya Morrison, & Kustom Looks. Design By U provided the jewelry for the runway fashion show.

There was also a performance by Cameroonian musician, Kaissa, and special guest appearances by distinguished stars such as Nadia Buari, Jackie Appiah, Lola Ogunnaike, Awilo Longomba, and many more.

Chiedu Odogwu of F2FA interviewing Nadia Buari

Jojo Abot of F2FA interviewing Nadia Buari

A portion of the proceeds benefitied Jewish Heart for Africa, which is a non for Profit organization committed to bringing sustainable technology to rural villages in Africa.

http://www.jhasol.org/

“This event was definitely a positive step for the continent!" Design By U was honored to be a part of it.

Statuesque Events by Feyisola, http://www.feyisola.com/

Cultural Dance performed by the Sapphire Dance Company

Makeup for the Fashion show was provided by makeup Artist, Renarda Joy, http://www.renardajoy.com/

Jewelry for the fashion show, provided by Design By U

Stunning Model Johanna Iyalekhue, wearing Black & White Kente Ruffle Hoops, by Design By U

Design by Cote Minou, http://www.coteminou.blogspot.com/

Design by Cote Minou

Design by Kustom Looks, http://www.kustomlooks.com/

Design by Cote Minou

Design by Kustom Looks

Design by Cote Minou

Swimwear by Aya Morrison, http://www.ayamorrison.com/

All of the models were provided by Adiree, www.adiree.com

Visit www.face2faceafrica.com to get full coverage of this event and to experience the F2F Experience!

(Fashion show photos were provided by F2F and Avaloni Studios)

Howl Festival '10

2011-04-12T11:07:00.000-04:00

Howl Festival '10

At the Howl Festival this year, there was Music, Dance Performances, Poetry, All forms of ART and of course, Fashion!

Design By U accessorized Hemma for their runway fashion show @ Tompkins Square Park, NYC.

Despite the chill and rain that decided to come down harder once the models were on the runway, they did their thing! They were amazing.

Check Hemma out in April ' 10 issue of Essence, September '10 issue of Ebony & October '10 issue of Jet!

Fashion @ Fordham University

2010-09-14T20:40:00.000-04:00

Fashion @ Fordham University

The African Women in Arts at Fordham University in Bronx, NY put together a wonderful event showcasing talented performers and showcased fashion from Design By U, designer Aya Morrison and upcoming designer, Theresa Frimpomaa. They had an amazing opening act; which was inspired by Madagascar. This show was a combination of many things... great designs and fashion, makeup and performance.

Amazing Giraffe Print Makeup by Queenie James

Jewelry by Design By U and fashion by Theresa Frimpomaa, Makeup by Ariceli

Jewelry by Design By U and fashion by Theresa Frimpomaa, Makeup by Ariceli

Jewelry by Design By U and fashion by Theresa Frimpomaa

Amazing Swimwear by designer Aya Morrison

1st Annual DONDO Magazine African Achievements Gala

2010-09-09T20:35:00.001-04:00

1st Annual DONDO Magazine African Achievements Gala in NYC

The 1st Annual DONDO Magazine African Achievements Gala was a special night. On August 28th, 2010, they celebrated African excellence and culture through achievements, music, fashion, and film. Other activities included a cultural performance, a choir performance, a fashion show, and a live musical performance by Obrafour, a well known African artist. The night climaxed with the honoring of distinguished Africans whose work in our communities; continues to shine a positive light on Africans in the Diaspora.

For more information on Dondo, please visit Dondo Magazine

Featured Fashion Designers for the night included...

Studio D' Maxsi

Hemma

Design By U

Makeup was done by the talented Marq Kearns

Eye colors provided by Glamorous Chicks Cosmetics

Hair done by Juliette, Jul's Studios

The models represented in a piece by each designer

Divalicious Fabienne is wearing 'Jet', leather earrings and a mix of wood & suede bangles by Design By U Jewelry's Fall & Winter '10 collection and the Gold Coast Corset in Purple, by Hemma.

This stunning model is wearing 'Tuxedo', in suede, earrings by Design By U Jewelry's Fall & Winter '10 collection and the Gold Coast Corset by Hemma.

Fierce model with designs by Afua of Studio D' Maxsi

Fashion by Studio D' Maxsi

2010-09-09T19:34:00.000-04:00

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S to Allison West. You are the winner of the Jewelry Giveaway for the Month of August!!!! Get Excited.

Design By U on Fly

2010-08-15T20:37:00.001-04:00

Design By U was featured on Fly

Click here (Fly) to read the interveiw

YBF Entrepreneur Launch Party, “Dare to Shine”

2010-07-30T15:32:00.005-04:00

YBF Entrepreneur Launch Party, "Dare to Shine", Midtown, NYC

On July 24th, 2010, I was privileged to be one of the entrepreneurs featured at the YBF Entrepreneur Launch Party, “Dare to Shine.” This event featured Shana Joseph, CEO of Glamorous Chicks Cosmetics, Grace Odogbili, owner and executive chef, with Dining With Grace, Inc. and myself, Fatima Samad, owner and designer with Design By U Jewelry.

Fatima Samad striking a pose with a few of her lovely DBU models

This event was a success. Guests enjoyed free manicures, live music, giveaways, complimentary Hors d'oeuvres and Specialty beverages!

At Design By U Jewelry's table, everyone was able to see 5 of our collections; which were the Adinkra, Coconut, Geometric, Goddess & Wildflower Collections. Live models were there to display a few works of art for everyone to see, and interact with patrons. Many that passed by were very impressed by the bold shapes and rich colors of the pieces. Many were also impressed by the cultural statements behind the Adinkra Collection. There was one woman who kept saying, "I cannot believe how lightweight your pieces are!" Design By U Jewelry had many a satisfied customer. We cannot wait for everyone to see our new and upcoming collections for Fall & Winter ' 10, which consist of leather, suede & metal. We will be introducing Necklaces & Bangles with these upcoming collections.You can get in touch with Fatima and; see more about our collections on Design By U Jewelry's Interactive Blog, Design By U Jewelry's Online Store, or become a fan on Design By U Jewelry's FB fan page . Also follow us at DBU Jewelry on twitter .

At the Glamorous Chicks Cosmetics table, you could purchase makeup, receive a make over or have specialty glam body art added to you. Glamorous Chicks' mineral eye shadow is so much more than just a powder to apply to your eye lids. It can also be used as blush, eyeliner, lip color, nail polish and mascara!!!! Talk about versatile! You can visit Glamorous Chicks Cosmetics at the Newport Mall in Jersey City (second level next to Sears), visit their Glamourous Chicks Cosmetics website , become a fan on Glamourous Chicks Cosmetics FB fan page or follow her at GC Cosmetics on twitter .

Shana Joseph of Glamorous Chicks Cosmetics

The complimentary Hors d'oeuvres & Specialty beverages that was being served all evening was provided by Grace Odogbili, of Dining With Grace, Inc. Grace’s cuisine consists of food inspired by Africa and the tropics. The menu consisted of Salt Cod Tostones with Avocado Crème and caviar, Spicy Tarragon Shrimp Puffs, my absolute favorite and Red Velvet Minis with Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting; to name a few. The food was served by Grace's lovely wait staff. You can get in touch with Grace via her Dining With Grace Blog, Dining With Grace, Inc. Website or become a fan on Dining With Grace Catering Cafe FB fan page. You can also follow her at Dining With Grace on twitter.

Grace Odogbili with her wonderful servers, of Dining with Grace, Inc.

Red Velvet Minis with Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting

Spicy Tarragon Shrimp Puffs

Curry Wild Mushroom Wontons, Nigerian Chili Sliders

It was a very lovely event. Special thanks to Sherene Smikle of YBF, Grace Odogbili of Dining with Grace, Inc., and Shana Joseph of Glamorous Chicks Cosmetics, and all that attended this powerful event.

Sherene Smikle of The YBF Co.

For all upcoming YBF events, please visit: http://www.theybfco.com/

Continue to preview Design By U's wonderful Collections below!

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S to Tiffany Smith

2010-07-30T13:58:00.000-04:00

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S to Tiffany Smith

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S to Tiffany Smith. You are the winner of the Jewelry Giveaway for the Month of July!!!! Get Excited. You joined DBU Jewelry's mailing list on June 9th, 2010!

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S to Christine Vaughn

2010-07-02T13:46:00.000-04:00

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S to Christine Vaughn

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S to Christine Vaughn. You are the winner of the Jewelry Giveaway for the Month of June!!!! Get Excited.

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S to Tracy Baker

2010-05-24T17:09:00.000-04:00

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S to Tracy Baker

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S to Tracy Baker. You are the winner of the Jewelry Giveaway for the Month of May!!!! Get Excited. You joined DBU Jewelry's mailing list on May 12th, 2010! The Jewelry Giveaway piece for June will be posted tomorrow, May 25th, 2010.

MONTHLY JEWELRY GIVEAWAY

2010-04-30T07:21:00.001-04:00

MONTHLY JEWELRY GIVEAWAY

DETAILS OF PARTICIPATION

By participating in this promotion, entrants agree to be bound by the Official Rules and the decisions of Design By U Jewelry .

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS PROMOTION. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT WILL NOT INCREASE OR IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING

JOIN MAILING LIST

By joining DESIGN BY U JEWELRY’S mailing list, you are automatically entered to win. Join DESIGN BY U JEWELRY’S mailing list by going to our blog, www.designbyujewelry.blogspot.com, Click here to go to blog . You will see a tab underneath our model picture gallery that says “Join our mailing List”.

By removing your name from our mailing list, you AUTOMATICALLY WITHDRAW that name from the monthly drawing pool.

MONTHLY DRAWINGS

Each month, one (1) name will be drawn from the pool of names eligible to win and that one person will be notified that they have won the JEWELRY PRIZE , which is worth between $20 and $50. Monthly drawings will be made on the 25th of every month. The pool of entries will include all mailing list entries via blog and DESIGN BY U JEWELRY’S Facebook fan page post entries received by the 24th of each month. If you are entering this drawing via Facebook fan page, your post should be visible on the DESIGN BY U JEWELRY’S wall and the format must read, “I, (NAME) am entering the jewelry giveaway on MONTH/DAY/YEAR .” Posts that are posted in albums or anywhere else other than DESIGN BY U JEWELRY’S wall will not be added to the monthly drawing pool. Posts that are posted after the 24th of each month will be added to the drawing for the following month.

Monthly drawing is open to everyone; U.S. residents, international; worldwide.

PRIVACY

Personal information will only be used by DESIGN BY U JEWELRY for the purpose of sending notices regarding purchase opportunities. Those entries from individuals not wishing to be included in DESIGN BY U JEWELRY’S mailing list will not be included in marketing correspondence from DESIGN BY U JEWELRY . We do not give any personal information to any other company for any purpose.

WINNING

Winner of JEWELRY PRIZE will be notified by the email address provided when you joined the mailing list via blog or via Facebook fan page (if you are a fan) with the announcement: "YOU WON A JEWELRY PRIZE FROM DESIGN BY U JEWELRY ". Winners must respond via Facebook fan page post (if you are a fan) and/or e-mail at [Fatima@dbufashion.com] to claim their prize. Prizes not claimed within 30 days will be forfeited. Only one JEWELRY PRIZE item will be awarded per calendar month, with a maximum of twelve (12) items being awarded per calendar year.

No transfer/substitution of prize by winner permitted.

By accepting prize/offer, winners/offer recipients agree to hold DESIGN BY U JEWELRY and its directors, officers, employees and assigns, harmless against any and all claims and liability arising out of prize/offer. Winner/offer recipients assume all liability for any injury or damage caused, or claimed to be caused, by participation in this promotion or use or redemption of any prize/offer.

LIMITATIONS

Limit ONE entry per person and per e-mail address. Limit one JEWELRY PRIZE winner per family. The JEWELRY PRIZE item will be sent out in one shipment. However, DESIGN BY U JEWELRY reserves the right to solely select the winner(s) prize and is not obligated to offer a choice of prizes.

ELIGIBILITY

Everyone; U.S. residents, international; worldwide are eligible to enter and/or claim a prize.

Only individuals eighteen years of age (18) or older are eligible to enter and/or claim a prize.

If your name is NOT drawn and you are NOT notified that you are a winner of a JEWELRY PRIZE , you are NOT ELIGIBLE to claim a prize.

INTERNET CAUTION

ANY ATTEMPT BY AN INDIVIDUAL TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEB SITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THIS PROMOTION IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS, AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

DESIGN BY U JEWELRY is not responsible for late or for faulty, incorrect or mis-transcribed e-mail transmissions, incorrect announcements of any kind, technical hardware or software failures of any kind including any injury or damage to any person's computer related to or resulting from participating in or experiencing any materials in connection with the promotion, lost or unavailable network connections, or failed, incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmission that may limit a user's ability to participate in the promotion.

DESIGN BY U JEWELRY reserves the right to cancel or modify the online entry if fraud, misconduct or technical failures destroy the integrity of the program; or if a computer virus, bug, or other technical problem corrupts the administration, security, or proper administration of the program.

In the event of termination of the online entry portion of the program, a notice will be posted online indicating how to enter via the mail and the drawing will be conducted from among all eligible online entries received prior to termination and all eligible mail-in entries received.

In the event a dispute arises with respect to the drawing and regarding specific individual entitled to receive prize, DESIGN BY U JEWELRY will be solely responsible for making a determination as to who the winner is in its sole discretion.

ALL JUDGING DECISIONS ARE FINAL

How do you come up with the names for your jewelry pieces?

2010-04-19T22:59:00.001-04:00

How do you come up with the names for your jewelry pieces?

My creations are determined primarily by sight and "feel." I make jewelry from my soul, and my soul is filled with wonderful images, words, and feelings. Assigning names to my jewelry pieces makes it feel very personal. I want each piece to have its own individuality. That’s what I like the viewer or the purchaser of my pieces to see and understand!

A majority of the time, I choose a name that expresses the ambiance of each piece of jewelry. Ex: I made a pair of earrings one day and thought they were quite charming, so that’s what I named it: ”Charming!”

From time to time, I also use a Thesaurus, either the one on my computer or a book, and I will glance through it searching for words that best describes what I have just made. When I find a word I may like, that becomes my jewelry item’s name.

I also ask family & friends to help me with names. They love naming some of my pieces, especially when it sells.

Giving Thanks!!!!

2010-03-17T12:58:00.000-04:00

I'm giving thanks to my new friend, Jaime, who is truly a mystery... I could not have completed this blog without you. Thank you for your kindness...all of the email exchanges and your patience!

The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention. ~ Oscar Wilde

Thank You

2010-03-15T13:36:00.000-04:00

Thanks for your patience while this blog was still Under Construction. I invite you to enjoy the interactive images. Please be sure to come back. We will be updating our information on a daily basis.

Happy New Year !!!

2010-01-01T11:35:00.000-05:00

I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy New Year!

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day. - Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Let's wake up your fashion sense

2009-12-28T20:08:00.004-05:00

Hello All! My name is Fatima and I absolutely love any and everything that is different, expressive and beautiful!

I have a passion for jewelry and earth tone colors. I decided to combine my two loves and invent something wonderful! I came up with a few new collections with my already exsisting company, Design By U Jewelry. I hope you enjoy these new collections just as much as I do! I want to share these beautiful elements with the world, starting with you!

Find out more about Design by U Jewelry at http://www.dbufashion.com/ (coming soon) and http://www.movingcypher.etsy.com/

Follow us on twitter @ www.twitter.com/DBUjewelry

Have any inquires? Please email me at fatima@dbufashion.com or movingcypher@aol.com