Sixteen years later and Donna Ramsammy James has finally decided to make her annual collection open to the public in association with the Guyana Relief Council.
Donna’s 16th Collec-tion, Carpe Diem (seize the day!) will be launched at Herdmanston Lodge on October 26.
Anyone who has watched Donna’s positioning in the local and regional fashion industry will know she has always maintained a very low-key designing personality over the years, catering mostly to a private clientele.
The shift of the brand’s personality by opening up to a wider consumer base may represent a change in what she produces. Perhaps this is why she has named it Carpe Diem.
I am left to wonder if the colour spectrum coordinating designer will hit us with an entirely new outlook of what Shape 2000 represents. If there were ever a fitting time to take on a drastic change, it would be now since Shape is in its 16th year.
Apart from my speculations, unlike most designers locally and regionally, if there’s one thing we can guarantee is the respect for time.
The show starts at 4 pm sharp like always.
As much as Donna is to be commended for opening up the show to the public, the question is if this new collection will be able to garner the applause from the new audience. Consumers in the Guyanese market have been more open to following western trends and educating themselves on new forms of fashion. It would be interesting to see the feedback from a new audience to the new Donna!
Will she be more bent on working with materials other than natural fibres? Will Donna change as she will be influenced by a broader audience? Will her 16th collection really be spontaneous and live up to the essence of Carpe Diem?
Guess we will know for sure on October 26 over fine finger food whilst looking at 169 garments.
Unfortunately we will not be able seize the moment photography wise, since patrons will not be allowed to photograph the models or clothes. Guess Donna is really staying as private as possible; even as she goes public.
I got the chance to select a piece from the new collection to show you – a sneak preview. Persons interested in seeing Carpe Diem can call Chabbi on 629-8555.
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