Pellau Magazine

Jalae Stroude-Mitchell struts this piece in a collection titled From Cool to Couture from designer Dexter Jennings at the premier of Tobago Fashion Weekend show.

The old adage that anytime is Trinidad time has relevance in Tobago, too, as witnessed at Friday's season premier of the Tobago Fashion Weekend with the theme Dan Dan Fiesta. Held at the Pigeon Point Heritage and Recreation Park, the event, produced by the non-profit outfit Designer United Stores (DUS) was advertised to start at 8 pm with a welcome reception for dignitaries. But the call time was not met.

 

Chief Secretary in the Tobago House of Assembly Orville London, Secretary for Community Development and Culture Tracey Davidson-Celestine and Jason Lindsay, chairman of the Cabinet-appointed Fashion Industry Development Committee (FIDC), were among guests greeted by workmen scurrying to add the finishing touches to the venue which fashion pilgrims described as a step up from the facilities erected at last year's maiden presentation.

 

And when DUS was finally ready to unveil the sneak peak around 10 pm—of what the rest of the weekend would offer—a sudden downpour accompanied by strong winds pervaded. But as fate would have it, the catwalk and the VIP area were covered, allowing the fashion capsule to continue. The general audience and media photographers had to make a dash for shelter, during the short rain spell.

 

The sudden change in weather, however, did not take away entirely from the excitement centre stage. Creations from Meiling, Dexter Jennings Designs, DLR Designs, Wadada, Jesse Chapman and students from the Caribbean Academy of Fashion Design at the University of T&T filled the spotlight. They are among 26 designers on show at TFW.

 

Ashley Christmas, chairman of DUS, admitted that seeing the many components come together was nerve-wracking, but necessary, if TFW was to meet international standards. "This is our second year, and we intend to build it to the point where TFW would be understood on the global fashion map. So the second-to-last week in May, of every year, everybody that's on this planet called earth would understand that 116 square miles on land will produce greatness, not just in sport, but also in fashion.

 

"I'm excited and at the same time nervous. We are going to show and highlight what the region, the United States, Europe and what Tobago has to offer. Last year we recognised two Tobago designers. This year we will recognise eight. It's not easy to make it to the runway because we have put all the benchmarks in place and all the standards in place and the quality controls to make sure that we are international and we have that standard," said Christmas.

 

He added, "This year the organisers have included a fashion park, so we are not just highlighting or providing entertainment, but we are making this an educational project so the public would understand that fashion is a business. We have a component which we call renewable energy where we have a mock-up production house, partially powered by solar energy to show that fashion and renewable energy has a place, not just in what we coin the first world, but what we coin third world, but with a first world twist."

 

He underscored DUS' commitment to continue to work hard to make sure that future creators of style would ensure TFW lasts a lifetime and declare Tobago as a respected fashion centre.