If Sonia Noel needed any reassurance her designs rocked the recent Guyana Fashion Weekend, she got it on Sunday last and from two of the Caribbean’s hottest and newest glamour-filled fashion weekends- in the US Virgin Islands and St. Kitts & Nevis.
And in exceptional style Sonia was able to achieve two instantaneous showings, for while her all-white “Serenity” collection was rocking the catwalk in the USVI, her signature “Black and White Affair” line was being showcased in St. Kitts.
Though a few of the pieces were new at both showings, Noel during a telephone interview from Barbados said, she stuck to her usual concept. She said both fashion weekends turned out to be fabulous, adding that she is hoping to rest for a few days before starting work for another upcoming show.
She made the point that if a designer is to be successful he/she must find every avenue to showcase clothing and have their skills recognized. She is making plans to have Guyanese designers accompany her to showcase their lines at different events she attends around the Caribbean.
Reports out of the USVI are that the Marriot Frenchman’s Reef (hotel) in St. Thomas was set afire with fashion when Sonia added her touch to the runway. Showing just before intermission, Sonia’s Mariska’s Design’s label opened with New Jersey Male Model Talon, provocatively dressed in a red bikini and white pants, drenched in water. That piece started the “ooohs and ahhhs” and the collection ended with a standing ovation and an excitement that lasted through intermission and until the end of the show.
The Serenity line featured apparel ranging from the beach to the ballroom with intricate details, hand beaded pearls and cuts that could make any woman feel like a million dollars. Men were not at all left out, as the collection showed that men could be masculine, sexy and fashionable all that at the same time. What really brought the audience to its feet though was a wedding ensemble which featured a beaded lattice work gown for the bride and a lattice work shirt and slacks for the groom.
A dance tribute was paid to all the islands of the Caribbean at the opening of the USVI Fashion Weekend by the Fete’ Testique Dancers before designers from across the region made the catwalk their own with each individual showing.
Also presenting at USVI Fashion Weekend were, Feelo’ Je and Theo Chris of Anguilla; Chafa Gova and Mode Africa of Africa; Blak La Soyl of Barbados; Jamal Drummond of St. Croix; Agape, NATTY Garments and Christ Couture of U.S.A; Amethyst of Bermuda; House of Seduction, Bola’s African Designs and Kaisha Peters of St. Maarten; Men Stepping in Design, Al Haynes, Sandals Sole, Uni Davis Sportswear, Zaazii Sportswear, Lorraine St. Aimee, House of Ashanti, Nayda Young and Andre Ettienne of St. Thomas.
Mariska’s Designs’ Creative Consultant Kofi Branch told The Scene that the USVI Fashion Week was an excellent production and kudos must be paid to all designers, models and the executive producers, Henry Marsham Jr. and Vern Tongue. He also noted that because of the numerous buyers at the event, Sonia’s line will be carried in St. Thomas USVI in another few weeks.
Branch said Sonia Noel has once again managed to come out on top and show the Caribbean that Guyana has a lot to offer as a fashion capital. According to him, she is far from over.
Over in St. Kitts, Sonia’s collection sought to showcase the elegance of the “old black and white” with variations of many cuts and fabric choices. It feature ruffles, fringes and raw edged designs and was extremely well received by the viewing public.
Now in its second year, the fashion weekend was held at the Marriot Dome on the island, according to a press release from Mariska’s Designs. The weekend kicked off with an All White Opening Party, followed by the Prime Minister’s Cocktail in honor of Miss Universe 2007.
Eighteen designers from Barbados, Trinidad, Jamaica, U.S.A, Japan and St. Kitts came together to make the event a success. There was also a wide cadre of models from the well known Pulse Model Management of Jamaica, top models from Barbados, St. Vincent, Trinidad, U.S.A., Sweden and St. Kitts. SHABEAU Magazine Cover Model was also in attendance. International Press such as Vibe, Sister 2 Sister, Carib World, Shabeau Magazine and She Caribbean were also in attendance
(ianaseales@yahoo.com)
