By Jairo Rodrigues
Just back from three consecutive shows in three different countries–Tobago Fashion Week, Caribbean Heritage Month Celebration in Atlanta and Caribbean Fashion Week in Jamaica which is the premier fashion event in the region—Sonia Noel is doing it again today at an event hosted by US Ambassador to Guyana Brendt Hardt and his wife Saskia at their home to spotlight domestic violence.
The Hardts are collaborating with the Sonia Noel Foundation for the Creative Arts (SNFCA) in a fashion show which will benefit Help and Shelter. The event will serve to feature the designs of Guyanese fashion artists, as well as promote awareness of the global epidemic of domestic violence, particularly against women.
Sonia is also currently preparing for the final of the Guyana Model Search/Designers Portfolio which will be held at huge event at Isika, East Bank Essequibo on July 1. This event will also place a lot of emphasis on domestic violence, healthy lifestyles and the environment.
Asked about her recent excursions abroad, Sonia told The Scene, “The reviews were fantastic.”
Sonia Noel was born in the Mining Central – Bartica on the Essequibo River. She describes her childhood as cherished and unforgettable. “I would not trade my child for anything in the world because all aspects of it has contributed to the person I am today,” she said.
She grew up with two sisters and her three brothers. She is the eldest and had to be responsible at a tender age to take care of her younger siblings. As a child she sold sugar cakes, plantain chips, fudge and other confectionaries at her school – the St John Baptist Primary School. When she moved on to the Bartica Secondary School she sold pastries and cakes after school was over in the afternoons. She noted that perhaps those experiences made her develop her love of cooking. “I loved going the river on Saturday and bush cook with my cousins on Sunday,” she continued.
She mentioned that her mother taught them to respect others and she would always support them and make them feel wanted no matter what. Sonia recalled that her dad was very abusive to her mother, so after five children she developed the courage to leave him. “She started dating a wonderful guy who later turned out to be the best dad to us. I have a loving family and I love my hometown. I try to visit very often.”
Sonia has done several shows which highlighted domestic violence as a critical topic. Asked to comment on its link to her past, she said, “I have highlighted domestic violence in my shows because I had witnessed it first hand and it is detrimental to society. Fashion is beyond the runway and a perfect medium to send messages because fashion is part of everyone life. The young models and designers had anti-Domestic Violence walk and they came up with their slogans… and it was very impressive. We all have to join in this fight.”
Since childhood Sonia has been interested in fashion. She would often play dress up and made up her own styles and concepts while teaching other children to make pretty dolls out of newspaper. She entered a junior pageant which increased her interest in fashion and started designing in Bartica before bringing her work to Georgetown.
“I am interested in making people feel better about themselves and it is not just the physical,” she said.
She has a positive outlook on life and is persistent. She added, “I always look at a glass as half full and believe anything is possible with the help of God. My belief in God is a great inspiration to me and the talent I see in the young designers inspires me and re-ignites my passion for the fashion industry. As they say environment breeds character and every life has a story and that story is told through the pieces I create. For example travelling up the Essequibo River listening to the sounds of the boat engine and watching the waves splash against the side of the boat.”
Two of Sonia’s most acknowledged creations are the upcoming GMS/DP and the Guyana Fashion Weekend (GFW), when asked to comment on their backgrounds and growing success she pointed out that she is very proud of what is accomplished despite the challenges and hurdles the team still encounters. “The idea was with me for years and I decided to launch it in 2007… Having a vision and having it turn into a reality is just a dream come true,” she said.
“GMS & GFW recognise the raw talent of young males and females who have the intelligence, enthusiasm and looks to become a part of the growing and dynamic fashion industry. We have launched many persons career through these projects.
“We develop their talents with classroom and hands-on training with educators who have tremendous experience within the industry. We will continue to nurture and empower the people in Guyana even with limited resources.”
Sonia is also very passionate about SNFCA. She mentioned that the mission of SNFCA is to create access for talented individuals, not only in Guyana but through the wider Caribbean. The foundation hopes to encourage and nurture raw talent – performing arts, visual arts, fashion arts, culinary arts and other creative energies. The foundation is very involved in this year’s GMS/DP.
Another one of her business ventures – Silhouette – is aimed at motivating young talent. “Silhouette is geared towards exposing young designers. They have the option to display their collection at my showroom in Barr Street, Kitty because I believe we have a potential for a successful fashion industry because the talent is a given.”
One of the hosts of Diatribe, a local television show with a high female viewing audience, Sonia said she got involved because, “I always wanted to do a high quality, fun TV show that discusses matters that relates to everyday life. We planned after the first year to make it regional so we are preparing for the moment and recording will begin soon.”
But all of her work in Guyana may have never come to fruition because of the devastating floods of 2005. Sonia moved to Barbados after the floods when she lost almost everything. She thanks God for his mercy that caused her to bounce back. “It was a welcome change at that point in my career because of the networking I did during that period. I became official designer for Barbados Music Awards which increased my visibility in the region. The exposure and networking assisted in the successful staging of GFW and opened many doors,” she said. After a while, GFW and GMS demanded her physical presence and she realised it was important to return to Guyana.
Her life at the moment is currently centred on her career and family. Sonia is extremely proud of her two daughters – Mariska, who is studying medicine at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Jamaica and is married to Yanick Jordon whom she describes to be “a wonderful young man” and Shonta who will be writing CSEC next year and intends to pursue law.
Sonia’s journey to achieve the best possible results for the fashion industry and to use fashion as a platform to better lives continues; she is currently studying interior designing. She believes in a few years Guyana will have a lot of development in the industry. She is also working hard to expose more local designers to regional and international shows. Sonia noted that the support of the business community and the entire Guyana is needed for the fashion industry to achieve its full potential.
