Six hand-picked Caribbean designers shone during London 2012 Olympics when they showcased their collections as part of the Fashion Engage London 2012 at the Ultra Luxurious Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane, a release from the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) recently said.
The event marked the opening of Caribbean Export’s Grosvenor presence and its involvement in the African Caribbean Business Expo in London.
The invitation only event was attended by a mixture of industry professionals who included stylists, fashion business consultants, manufacturers, buyers and the media.
Guyanese Sonia Noel was part of the line up and she closed off the show with her extravagant women’s wear pieces under her Mariska Designs label.
Trinidadian designer Meiling opened the show with her collection 24Hrs which featured her signature fine linens and natural fabrics. She was followed by Jamaican designer Arlene Martin who displayed what was described as her sophisticated collection pieces from her label drennaLUNA which was accessorised with stunning jewellery pieces by Suriname based label Atelier Doré.
Renowned Award Winning Haitian designer Phelicia Dell showcased her contemporary unique handbags alongside emerging Trinidadian jewellery designer Kirie Bain whose love for nature and Trinidad and Tobago were behind her inspirations in creating her unique designs.
The release said that top UK models who took to the catwalk to showcase some of the Caribbean’s finest brands included Rachael Williams (Winner of Miss Black Britain), Ufuoma Itoje (Britain And Ireland’s Next Top Model Finalist), Risskat Oyebade (Current Britain And Ireland’s Next Top Model contestant) and more.
Meanwhile, another Guyanese designer shone in London by the name of Donna Ramsammy-James who just weeks before the Olympics showcased some of her designs in her first UK show which was themed ‘Afrika Milele (Africa Forever); Caribbean Footprints’. The event was held at the Drift Bar, said to be a landmark building in London, and the pieces were displayed to a sellout crowd.
Some 16 male and female models showcased the 172 designs
