There is something different about a Donna Ramsammy-James fashion show that yanks you from a familiar place to somewhere you feel trapped, but you never want to leave.
She says, “Canopy” and you think green and given the sustained focus on environmental protection you also assume climate change. But Donna’s ‘Canopy’ was more; it was about embracing fashion and taking the time to be conscious about your choices.
Donna understands what it means to dress comfortably, elegantly and to be smart about your choices. In every collection, she either reflects on an experience; shares a beautiful story or takes on an issue to raise awareness.
Canopy is the 2011 collection of Donna’s Shape 2000 line; a line which has consistently proven that the woman is not only gifted but special. Donna, obviously with some help, continues to produce an annual showing of 120 individual pieces of clothing; the fascinating part is that every piece is detailed and has a separate story.
Donna Ramsammy-James is a storyteller (a good one. One look at her clothes and you get the sense that the designer not only started out with a great idea, but she was telling a story either with the wraps or the cuts or the artwork.
On Sunday last, the designer invited her select clientele for a preview of the 2011 collection which appeared in segments – red, green, yellow, black and gray etc. To decide on a favourite collection depends on personal style and choice of colour.
The new line offered up designs in colours so rich they could have all passed for royalty; one could almost see a royal family somewhere draped in the designs of Guyanese Donna Ramsammy-James. The woman rarely disappoints, if ever, and her artwork is so enviable!
Tasteful sums up the collection though it could be substituted with words like, delicious and even sexy in some instances. There was a sophisticated feel to the designs and playfulness in some of the pieces that came through in the cuts.
Of the various segments, the pieces under ‘Black, White and Gray’ simply stood out as nothing short of outstanding work. The pieces were beautiful and showed off Donna’s gift for designing fabulous clothing that women want to wear over and over.
The other segment which impressed was the ‘Pink and Purple’ which she managed to fuse really well, and by the time the show wrapped up Donna had unveiled a collection worthy of a bigger stage, but so beautiful you also feel that maybe some things should be kept private, for now, at least. (ianaseales@yahoo.com)