The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

DURING the day she wears the traditional lab coat of a dentist, but after work hours Dr Alia Campbell goes all out with glitz and glamour.

Alia’s company, Basic Glitz, came about due to her love for clean, polished fashion. She wanted to create a brand that would cater to the chic, pearl-wearing lady who wants to add a little shine to her wardrobe.

In addition to practicing dentistry for almost five years, Alia has also spent a lot of time in retail, as both her late grandmother and mother, Patrice Campbell, have operated clothing stores. For her, Basic Glitz is somewhat of a spin-off of her mother’s Patrice store located in downtown Freeport.

She looks up to her mother as a woman and as a business owner. Alia said she has learned a great deal and continues to learn the hustle of being a great entrepreneur from both her parents, Ali and Patrice.

Under the slogan, “Where we put a twinkle in everything simple”, the home-based company offers pearls of all shades, sizes, and lengths in multiple strands; hoop earrings of all sizes in gold, silver, rose gold, tri-coloured gold, rhinestone hoops and high fashion faux diamond earrings. Her signature pieces include hats called the Twinkle Caps.

The 80s inspired Twinkle Caps come in distressed denim as well as different colour styles, all with a glittery message on the brim. Alia’s favourite is the “Hope” Twinkle Cap, as it serves as a consistent reminder to her that even though life throws curve balls at times, if she stays true to herself and continues to have faith and hope, she can withstand the worst.

Like in dentistry, Alia said first impressions are lasting and ladies should always put their best face forward. She said a great smile along with that one special fashion piece can really bring out the diva in anyone, boost self-esteem and really allow women to be the queens that they are.

“The number one benefit of both being a dentist and the Basic Glitz owner is hands down making people feel better about themselves,” Alia said. “Once confidence is at its high no one can tell you any different, and you feel like you are on top of the world. Positivity breeds a loving happy life.”

So far the feedback for Basic Glitz has been great, Alia said.

She said it seems to slowly be turning into a personal shopping company.

“I see too many women not taking advantage of what they have, or better yet, what they need to balance out their personal style. It’s obvious my passion lies with showing women and making them realise their true beauty potential without having to weigh it down with too much of this and that. I push that your personality is the best accessory a woman can ever possess, but every now again it’s OK to tweak it with a little pearl or faux diamond here and there,” said Alia.

In the upcoming months, Alia is looking forward to moving Basic Glitz into a store space to make it more accessible for her clients.

“We have a lot of plans in store, so I don’t want to open up just yet, but let me say that in 2015 I will be working towards Basic Glitz being the go-to for all your accessory needs,” she said.

Interested persons can follow BasicGlitz on Instagram and Facebook.