MARSAE by Guyanese Marcie De Santos was one of seven Cariforum fashion lines supported by the Caribbean Export Deve-lopment Agency (Carib-bean Export) to attend Dominicana Moda (DM2013) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic from October 21-26. According to a press release from Caribbean Export, the fashion week attracted the talent and passion of a great number of designers, delighted audiences and industry professionals alike.
The other six designers were ILashan Apparel & Handmade Jewelry from the Bahamas; the Andrew Harris Collection of Barbados; Odanis Valdez Polonia from the Dominican Republic; Mag Art from Haiti; Patwa Apparel Ltd from Jamaica and MEILING Inc from Trinidad and Tobago.
The release noted that each year Dominicana Moda grows in strength and has become a vehicle for promoting the integration of the Dominican Republic and the countries of Caricom.
The exhibits from the 7 Cariforum countries, the release said, sought to promote intra-Caribbean relations by forging strategic alliances that allow them to attack the international and regional markets with greater momentum. In addition to
the runway shows, the designers visited textile factories in the DR such as Group M and Blue Country to explore manufacturing opportunities for their clothing lines, thus ensuring the origin “Caribbean” for products and guaranteeing the preferential access to major markets. Marcie’s label MARSAE, which was well received, offered a casual and semi casual collection of female clothing using bright colours and made from linens, chiffon and stretch taffeta.
The lines of the clothing were relaxed and less structured and reminded the viewer and wearer of aquamarine waters of the Caribbean Sea over white sandy beaches.
Marcie said that she chose to move away from her usual tones of fabric paired with hand painted accents to offer clients a more ready to wear line. Her decision was based on two factors, cost to the client in harsh economic times and the fact that brighter colours are trending internationally.
She thanked Caribbean Export for the opportunity and said she looks forward to future collaborations. She also gave thanks to God because since her trip she now has a renewed perspective on fashion after being exposed to the epitome of professionalism.
Marcie looks forward to marketing and selling her new line; trying to have it sold in chic boutiques across the Caribbean. She also plans to attend upcoming trade and fashion shows while also searching for the perfect location for her signature boutique.
