After spending four full days in Kingston, Jamaica for ‘The Collection Moda’, I can safely say Trinidad & Tobago has the best designer content.
Trinidad, Jamaica and Guyana have been really pushing for growth in the regional fashion industry. While each country has something to contribute to the industry meaningfully whether it be garment factories, labour costs or technical knowledge, the main problem that comes from not having a marketable aesthetic.
I was very anxious to go to Jamaica because ‘The Collection Moda’ is rumoured to be one of the most highly anticipated, fashion focused and high calibre fashion events in the entire Caribbean. But let’s face it, this is just via the internet. Pictures and videos can’t tell the entire truth. I really had to see with my own eyes if the content really was what it says. So there I was in Kingston last weekend to investigate.
The whole concept of ‘The Collection Moda’ incorporates 4 different elements: ‘Moda Grooming’, ‘Business of Fashion Seminar’, ‘The Collection Moda Runway Show’ and ‘The Moda Market’. I only managed to make the last three of events as the first one was held earlier in the year and I was unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances. The Runway show and Moda Market operate under the mandate of promoting fashion as a business. Like Caribbean Fashion Week, there really wasn’t any particular standard as to what was allowed on the catwalk. This was the biggest problem as there were poorly sewn garments and scantily-styled outfits, with no particular reference to maintaining the mandate which is promoting fashion of a business.
Yes, you give them the audience but you don’t really promote them if most of the work looks half done. What actually happens, is that the stronger brands get watered down and the overall quality looks “whatever, whenever”. Fashion is a business and in any business, quality is important.
While I will applaud Moda for bringing the glamour, fashion week feel, the exclusivity, the international media (Lucky Magazine), we need to remember that a Kim Kardashian backdrop for the stage set isn’t surprising for the editors and bloggers. Sure it adds to the entire feel but what will Lucky Magazine write about the backdrop?
What about the clothes? There was one designer who had an exceptional collection – Jae Jolly with her kaleidoscopic swimsuits. The collection for me promoted all aspects of the ‘new beach scene’; the lounge wear, the swimwear and the Instagram worthy swimwear.
Lubica also had a fairly good collection. At times it was a bit monotonous, because it was all black and it looked quite repetitive. Some pieces also looked like there were there for numbers sake as they were poorly constructed. This collection needed a bit of editing. Lastly there was a Project Runway designer, Korto Momolu who did a lot of draping. I thought the collection could have been better styled. I wasn’t too excited over it and personally I don’t take competition designers too seriously. Most collections are usually mainstream, very much draped or kaftan looking like Anya Ayoung Chee’s work.
While I will applaud the efforts of the Business of Fashion seminar and getting industry professionals to give talks and so forth, what I will say is that the real example should come from the standard we set on the runway. That sets the tone and bar for what needs to be promoted in the fashion market. It’s like taking two steps back when you allow inconsistent collections to go through but still keep a seminar to promote the supposed standard. What are we promoting? The business of selling poorly made garments for sponsorship gains?
Overall, what Moda offered was the ability to bring the glamour to a fashion event. They know how to brand and they understand the networking that needs to be done. It was lovely to see local and international music and sports icons at the event. But again this is about the clothes and turning it into a business. So let’s keep quality assurance at the top of our list as well. For pictures and an in-depth review of the event please see www.online-runway.com
Contact Ashma at https://twitter.com/theonlinerunway
http://instagram.com/theonlinerunway
