Charlene Campbell 

To call designer/stylist/writer Charlene Campbell a triple threat would be an understatement.  Charlene is comfortable wearing many hats, feeling equally capable in multiple areas of the fashion industry.  Inundated with beauty, brains, charm, as well as talent, Charlene is a force with which to be reckoned.

With a line of jackets and an online magazine partnership underway, Charlene is adding new ventures to an already varied resume. 

The inspiration for her jackets is based on the emotions a woman feels when she is in a relationship.  “Anything from Joy to sadness,” she explained.  “Any type of relationship, whether it is with a friend, a partner, or a child.  That’s why jackets are made of at least three different types of materials.”

The jackets are one-size-fits-all and are sleeveless with raw edges.  They will be versatile for all seasons and are designed for women who are fashion conscious.  Charlene expects her customer base to be mostly female between the ages of 18-30.

“I am not trying to take over the fashion industry with my line.  I am just creating a trend.  If it goes that way…great!” she laughs.

Even though she claims she does not plan to overthrow the fashion world, Charlene does hope for worldwide success.  “I would like to my jackets to be sold internationally including London, Paris, Milan, and New York.”

Already thinking big, Charlene has picked two top celebrities she would like to represent her brand.  “Kate Moss is my idol, and Halle Berry is a great role model for a lot of women.  Some people can be stylish without trying to be that way, and I find both of them to be like that.”

Charlene said her job as a designer is made easier because of her experience as a stylist.   â€œI have well-rounded experience that helped me create my jackets.  Working as a stylist helps you realise how a designer intended for the garments to be worn.  Luckily, my clients won’t have to figure anything out because they will already be styled.”

Charlene has lent stylist skills to USA TODAY for the UMMAH Endowment Fund for World AIDS Day and has also styled clients for other special events such as The Grammy’s.   

“My experiences in different areas of the fashion industry include work with designers such as Russell Sage and Nicole Farhi.  This created a great platform for me in garment construction.  I believe that understanding the ground work can help you express your creative angle as a stylist.”

Currently Charlene is working freelance as a stylist.  She specializes in catwalk, editorial, and music.  Perhaps that has led to her other project: an online lifestyle, music, and fashion magazine that Charlene is creating with her partner DJ Kofi.

In the past, Charlene has worked for the music magazine RWD and for menswear fashion magazine FHM Collections.  Her online magazine www.turntableent.com will juxtapose those genres.

A lover of music and a writer of poetry, Charlene likes to combine her interests whenever possible.  “I hope to put my poetry on my jackets because they are all about emotions and can leave you with a thought for the day.”

Both the jackets and www.turntableent.com will be ready Autumn/Winter 2004.

Dacia Abel

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