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Sean and Sherlon James are two of Guyana’s youngest designers but they are confident that their designs are on par with some of the more established ones.
The 15-year-old twins have only been doing “real designing” for the past three months.
It was on a whim that Sean, on seeing a “pop up” while surfing the net, decided to contact the organisers of the Guyana Fashion Weekend (GFW). The rest is history.
The two teenage boys made it onto the stage of Guyana’s biggest fashion show and the feedback they received from that one showing confirms that they have talent.
The St John’s High School students recently sat down with The Scene, still relishing the fact that they were given the opportunity to display their designs at GFW.
Their line was called ‘Diamanthis in Colours’ and according to Sean the name came about after they used some diamantes from an old chandelier to jazz up some of their designs.
Sean is more of the talker, as he was always quick to answer a question. Sherlon always seemed to think before he answered, and a lot of the most time, during the interview, he expanded on something his brother would have said.
The brothers recalled that when they were much younger they loved to sketch designs, but never really thought about turning them into clothing. “Things would just pop into our heads and we would sit and sketch. We do our own sketches…,” Sean said.
After Sean contacted the GFW organizers, they were asked to take sketches of their designs to be viewed by those in charge. This was done and the brothers were invited to be part of the designers’ portfolio, which was held at the Sophia Exhibition Centre during Carifesta X.
They did not win. Andrew Harris was named ‘best young designer’, but Sonia Noel, the woman behind the GFW, invited the brothers to be part of the fashion extravaganza. It was an invitation they could not refuse.
Their pieces were showcased on the first night of the three-night event and included men’s and women’s wear. Since then they have received some three orders for bathing suits, but many of the pieces that were exhibited that night were bought.
Sean says he believes they would receive more calls as they distributed about 100 business cards during the event.
The boys told The Scene that their schedule was not hectic during the run up to the GFW as they had plans in train following their participation in the designers’ portfolio.
‘Liked clothes’
Sean related that since they were much younger they realised that they “liked clothing.” He said they would draw sketches but sometimes when they were a little younger, they made mini designs. But they never designed for people before their experience with GFW.
Both exclaimed that they were excited when they became part of the GFW. And Sherlon added, after some thought, that it was a feeling he could not explain.
They said their biggest fan, their mother, was not surprised when they were given the opportunity to be part of the GFW. They also got support from their sister who modelled some of their designs.
The twins said they knew they were entering something that many would have thought was for adults only, but they were confident in their ability and they knew that they would have impressed with their talent.
“We were the youngest designers at the fashion weekend but the response we got from people was good. They liked our pieces,” Sherlon said.
Identical
Sean and Sherlon are identical twins. Probably only their mother and close relatives could tell them apart, but their thoughts are not identical as they come up with different ideas. There is no conflict in making their sketches as each contributes his own ideas. However, the problem comes when they have to choose what sketch would actually become a design.
According to Sean, they had about 100 sketches and needed to choose about 15 and that was where the problem arose. But they worked it out and eventually things ran smoothly.
Asked where they get their ideas for their sketches, Sean said mostly it would just be ideas floating around in their heads, but he recalled that he actually got an idea for a top from looking at a curtain in their home.
The two had to hire the services of a tailor and a seamstress to assist them in completing their pieces but they are now taking sewing lessons and hope to soon be able to sew their own pieces.
And while they love designing, the boys said they do not allow it to get in the way of their studies. “We set aside time for designing and we set aside time for studies,” Sherlon said.
Studies are important to them because although the fourth formers disclosed that they love designing when they became adults it would be “something on the side. We would not stop designing because we love it…” Sean said.
However, designing would not be their ultimate career paths because Sean’s dream is to become a doctor while Sherlon hopes to one day become a lawyer.
And while they are identical, they only play tricks on their schoolmates and not their teachers. Well. Who would admit to playing trick on their teacher?
There have been times when their schoolmates were tricked into thinking one was the other.
(samantha_alleyne2000@yahoo.com)
