The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

FRIENDS and entrepreneurs, Audra Bain and Kotora Johnson, merged their local businesses for a day to host a Fashionable and Fierce Party at Luciano’s of Chicago on Sunday.

Audra showcased her latest La’ Felice Piedi mobile shoe store fashions and Kotora showcased the new trends of her Bags Couture handbags, clutches and accessories.

Models strutted the runway wearing a mixture of fashion from both brands. Entertainment was provided by Lynden Seymour and a short comedic segment was presented by Bahamian comedian, Betrum O Bubbler.

“Today is a first for us. We came together and did what we call a party,” Audra told Tribune Entertainment. “We gave it a fierce theme because we are all ladies, and we want to be in the know and be fierce with it. It’s free and we chose to do it that way because we wanted people to be able to purchase items on display. We held it on a Sunday because on Monday through Saturday for any woman is pretty much a busy week. They work all week and take their personal time on Saturday to do what they have to do.”

Audra’s collection varied from slippers and flats to wedges and booties. She has worked in the banking industry for most of her career but has always had a love for shoe fashion.

“I just knew that within myself, one day I would sell shoes,” she said. “Everyone would ask where I got my personal shoes and they would often ask me to bring them in so it was something I started up. My business is called La’ Felice Piedi, which means The Happy Feet in Italian. I was determined to come into the business with a twist because eventually I want to really branch off into the Italian brand of shoes.”

With La’ Felice Piedi in business for the past two years, Audra said the feedback has been excellent.

“I am now able to order the shoes by the case load verses just one by one. I can offer a variety and the type of shoes that I am able to get, women want in demand. I also provide assistance to expecting brides with their shoes of choice for the big day. We cater to pretty much everybody,” she said.

Kotora’s bag selection ranged from big and small in various shapes and colours. She also had on display a variety of wristlets, watches and wallets.

For Kotora, it is not only a job, it is a lifestyle. Whatever a person needs in terms of fashion, she can provide it.

“I’ve always had friends who came to me for advice when it came to my fashion style,” said Kotora. “I always gravitated to giving them suggestions on different styles and my honest opinion. Doing this is easy for me because it is what I love. I started as a home base in 2006 and I do not have a store as yet but I have been bringing in items and highlighting them on Facebook where I reach my customers.”

She advises all Bahamian women to not think twice about going after what they love because God will make room for their talent.

“The show was a success and with all things comes hard work. We came here and made it all work. I want to thank God for the opportunity because I know that this is just the beginning of open doors,” said Kotora.

Audra added that everyone is created with gifts and it is entirely up to them to discover their talents and act on them. She said the best thing someone can do for themselves is create a job out of their niche and talents.

“If you can make the best cheesecake and always receive reviews on it, then you go and turn that into a business for you,” she said. “Before you know it, that cheesecake will be something people can’t get enough of. I love shoes so I was determined to make shoes happen.”