Named after the inseparable duo's university nickname - Blonde Brunette - Bionda Castana is a young British label on course for international expansion. Established in 2007 - and loved by Hollywood stars Elizabeth Olsen and Keira Knightley, and home-grown talent such as Downton Abbey's Michelle Dockery - Bionda Castana prides itself on creating shoes that women can feel proud to wear and own. 

Featuring recognisable signature studding, woven silk, sumptuous velvets, buckles, and opulent lace, each handcrafted Bionda Castana style is distinctive and unique - but is much more than just a wearable work of art. As women creating shoes for women, Portman and Barbieri bring comfort to the fore of the design process, ensuring that looking good and feeling good are not mutually exclusive. 

Despite their reputation for creating show-stopping red-carpet shoes, Bionda Castana's luxury flats - from zip-adorned pumps to studded brogues and biker boots - are fast becoming their most popular styles; allowing their loyal customers to find a Bionda Castana shoe to accompany every look in their wardrobe. 

Stocked internationally and online at stores including Browns, Nordstrom, Saks, Moda Operandi, Isetan, Symphony Style and my-wardrobe.com. Bionda Castana has already received global recognition: winning the Best New Accessories Designer award at the Who Is On Next/Vogue Italia event a year after its inception; and having been featured in publications including Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, The New York Times, Elle, style.com and vogue.com.

With a keen eye for styling, Rowa Kamel, has ventured into the fashion business, becoming a major shareholder in Bionda Castana through her company RAK Holdings. Raised and educated in Jeddah Saudi Arabia, Rowa is now pursuing her studies in Fashion Marketing at University in London.  She juggles her time between studies and overseeing the business and leverages her experience between both.  Upon completion of her studies, she will be dedicating herself to developing her business further.  She is a supporter of various charities including Breast Cancer Research and Water Aid-Africa.