Guyana Fashion Week: 2016 Reflections

Guyana Fashion Week came to a spectacular close after one week of constant activities, all designed to upgrade the the status and scope of the burgeoning fashion industry in Guyana. It was held from 6-13 November 2016.

Over the weekend, Guyana witnessed three amazing fashion showcases at the Savannah Suite, Pegasus Hotel Guyana.The shows featured designer collections from local regional and international clothing brands.

The first runway presentation highlighted a select group of aspiring designers together with a line-up of up and coming models, in a production called ‘the new guard’.

Designers

Winners of the male and female model category, respectively, were Kenny Hercules and Candacy Subrattie. The winner of the aspiring designer award was Linden native, Setra Oselmo with a highly creative showing utilizing hair to create spectacular costume art.

The other seven aspiring designers brought interesting story lines to impact on their collections, rendering unique Guyanese style on their creative showings.

Candacy Mc Clean, Abeni Sullivan, Tandica Favourite, Stephen Validum, Mark Junor, Audrey Callendar, Shevaun Abel shared the spotlight on that Saturday afternoon showcase of fresh New world style.

Walter Greene, US based, Guyanese style connoisseur and fashion editor par excellence commented on the cutting-edge, pushing-the-envelope contributions of our creative nationals.

There was an Antiguan contingent comprising of three new brands, developing in the tiny nation. All the designers emerging out of a programme coordinated by Vanda Neale Gardner, under the Antigua Barbuda Festivals Commission, whose creative consultant is none other than, the Caribbean fashion guru, Richard Young. 

Based on the vision of the Honourable E. P. Chet Greene, Minister of Trade, Commerce and Industry, Sports, Culture and National Festivals of Antigua and Barbuda, Mr Young has facilitated this intra-regional interface to promote the Caribbean brand, in spite of its multi-faceted components.

Kareem Simon of the Jsimon label, Kareem Blucher and Krystal Benjamin of KB squared and Shirrine Gillon of Rainbow Expressions were elated to participate in  merchandising platform beyond their local scope, and boy were they well received. The collections were a hit!

There was also a model contingent from Curacao – Face Model Organization – who featured six striking models in the weekend’s line up. Other seasoned designers Sonia Noel, CEO of Guyana Fashion Week presented nubian renaissance a Neo-African twist on her traditional architectural lattacing. Tracy Douglas’ modern tie dyes in deep pigments of forest life were a telling signature expression of her tribal influence.

Nelson Nurse brought a menswear collection, metamorphosis, showcasing red, black and white trendy urban-wear revealing the diverse attitudes of today’s male. Paula Evans brought her special trademark hand painted flora and fauna motifs, walking on sunshine, on breathing fabrics and returning Guyanese designers – Dawn Vanrossum showed curvaceous couture  in high-grade linens, in captivating hues and Stacy Angoy’s afrocentric resort wear was a compelling favourite of the event.  

Creative Director, Caribbean fashion guru, Richard Young, says that  *the second longest fashion festival in the region is indeed proving its mettle, “with a nine day event schedule that was successful, in terms of attendance and promotional reach.”

Photo depicts

KB Squared, Krystal Benjamin and Kareem Bloocher – Antigua