“I work hard to make Guyana look good for the world to see, when people think about fashion in the region they should think of Guyana,” Maxi K Williams says.
When people generally think of fashion they think of Paris, New York, Milan, but Guyana? But this designer is determined to change Guyana into the catwalk of the Caribbean.
Maxi Krishna Williams has been designing professionally since 1999 at the age of 13 when the Mashramani celebrations captivated his eager mind. He began designing costumes and 15 years later he now does interior decoration, upholstery, clothing, makeup and cosmetology. He has worked with some of the biggest names in the region and his success has given him international recognition and cooperation from the governments of the Caribbean Community.
Maxi was born into a Suriname-Guyanese family in Guyana, but he spent most of his childhood in Suriname before he returned and started costume designing. He worked on his talent right here and before long he was sent to Trinidad where he quickly became the head designer for an interior design company. His range of talent led to him being the sole designer for sets of concerts hosted by the then prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago – Patrick Manning.
When asked how it is that he came to accomplish so much and the skills to do all that he does, he said, “It’s all about multi-tasking.”
Maxi was the premier designer for the Carib Band in the 2012 Mashramani float parade. He has also designed full costumes for England’s Nottingham Carnival, Canada’s Caribana and the most famous of them all Trinidad Carnival. One of his proud achievements is designing the attire for the entire cast in Adrian Dutchin’s “I’m Okay” Music Video. He has worked all over the Caribbean and has received tons of awards and gratitude.
He draws his inspiration through all embracing will power, imagination and enlightenment; ideas are never sparked from looking in books or magazines and his skills were self-taught. He mentioned that some Guyanese designers would have a magazine open in front of them looking at designs and imitating them, but stated, “I am determined; the idea that is unique has to come from within you.”
He proclaims that he has no influences and that this was just something he was born with. “As a child I was always drawing, designing,” he goes on to say: “this is a natural skill that comes from God, from a place beyond.”
He does have an idol however, Michael Jackson. Maxi noted, “He [Michael Jackson] was very creative. I can achieve all of that and more in my area as a Guyanese designer.”
Although Maxi’s father was a designer, Maxi himself was never taught his skills at home or in school, he developed the art and would like to see the youths today do the same. “I motivate my little friends to do what I do; they love it and are always interested.”
Maxi, who has his own business, would love to see the fashion industry in Guyana develop. “Fashion has to have a proper body, it needs to be pushed higher, pushed forward, especially by creating shows,” he said.
Maxi’s work is always demanding but he always finds time to socialise especially with his friends and family, he loves being a proper host and having good fun entertainment, but hates the ‘club life’. “I would never be seen with a drink or cigarette; I’m not into those stuff,” he said,
Maxi’s sole focus is on designing. Actively designing for carnivals and Carifestas and always representing Guyana, he said he can go to all Caricom Single Market countries to design and showcase his talent. He has also been invited to the Paris School of Arts to showcase his work in July this year.
Maxi would like fashion and designing to stop being centred on Mashramani or just Guyana Fashion Weekend. He believes the industry can be promoted all year round so that Guyanese can start buying local clothing instead of just seeing it. He feels promoters can hold parties with the best local designs, instead of ‘All Black’ or ‘Fittest Jeans’ and have Guyanese wear local designer clothes. Maxi also wishes to teach fashion instead of just showcasing it.
