It was jungle fever on the opening night of the Trinidad and Tobago Fashion Week which wrapped up on Saturday last when designer Sonia Noel heated up the catwalk up with her new, “Animal Unleashed” collection.
Reviews from the island indicate that Sonia unleashed more than a smoking hot collection; her opening to the mega fashion event was dubbed an overwhelming success and there was an ongoing buzz.
A press release from Mariska’s Designs issued on Wednesday said Sonia moved away from her signatures of beads and hand paintings for the new 2009 line and showcased diversity with chic, ultramodern designs. She received raved reviews for the collection and immediately after the showing was flooded with invitations for magazine shoots. The line featured sexy cuts and amazing animal prints.
“As a matter of fact, one award winning photographer nearly whisked the clothing off the catwalk to prepare for a magazine photo shoot because he was so excited,” the release said.
Sonia has since agreed to photo shoots with Caribbean Bell magazine and Sista 2 Sista. Designers were hand picked for the fashion extravaganza, which was a tent affair at the Adam Smith Square in Port of Spain.
According to the press release, the excitement did not end in Trinidad since Sonia flew over to St Lucia soon after where she was the featured designer at “Strut For A Cause 2008” a charity celebrity fashion show held at the Sandals Grande Resort.
The fashion show featured Queen Esther of Kumba Designs and Sharon Tanner of EC Harbour both from St Lucia, Heather Jones of Trinidad.
As with Fashion Week – Trinidad and Tobago, Sonia’s lines were well received and she has added to her growing clientele.
Sonia who is scheduled to be among the feature designers in St Vincent’s carnival show dubbed “Carnival Catwalk” later this month was overwhelmed with the response she got at the fashion week. She was quoted as saying, “The fashion week was amazing! Imagine six nights of pure fashion, models and glamour. The designers really out did themselves and the production was great.”
For the St Vincent showing Sonia has managed to get budding local designers Sonola Forte and Donette Brotherson on the list of feature designers.
Sonia, who is the Chairman of the Fashion Focus team for Carifesta, will be in Guyana this weekend at the casting call for models.
Male and female models between the ages of 15 and 30, whether petite or plus sized are invited to a casting on Sunday at Zoom Inn, Croal Street at 3 pm.
Persons needing more information should contact Kofi Branch 698-5195 or Donette Brotherson at 680-6325.
