Pellau Magazine: "Pan In Style" Fashion Show Review

Colourful. Vibrant. Melodic.

These are the words that instantly came to mind as I asked myself how best to describe this event.

Carivog International, hosts of Caribbean Fashion Plus Week collaborated with the Sforzata Steel Orchestra in Trinidad and Tobago for its Pan in Style fashion runway which took place on Saturday 3^rd November 2012 at the Sforzata Steel Orchestra, St. Augustine.

The event was supposed to begin at six thirty but started at seven instead. When the event’s Mistress of Ceremonies, Peridot Webster, announced that the show was about to begin and the models who were posing with the world’s largest steel pan as well as three models wearing Carnival costumes cleared the stage area for the first presentation my anticipation begun to grow. I my internal critique of patron’s outfits and I focused my attention on the runway.

I loved the dress worn by the first model to walk the stage. I truly did. If I remember correctly, it was a beautiful long dress, and what made it even better is that it complimented the model and was made in sweet T&T! I remember trying to calculate how long it would take me to steal the dress off the model and then rush to the exit. On a serious note, the show begun well, at least in my opinion, and as they say the first impression lasts…

The show continued on, featuring collections by DVOG, a retailer whose gorgeous colourful dresses I particularly admired as I felt they were truly representative of who we are as a society. We are a colourful people, and to me this motif ran throughout the entire fashion show: colour. I genuinely appreciated this. Jay Jay Designs, whose collection was aptly named “Colourific”, was another favourite of mine. You could tell the clothes made the ladies feel attractive and comfortable. One outfit in particular that I remember is a black top with a laced back paired with a bright green, black and blue floral print pants.

This stunning dress was a personal favourite of mine and it certainly excited the crowd who cheered as the model walked the runway.

Lisa G Designs

Shanay Thomas, a local designer had as part of her presentation a lovely turquoise sarong. Lisa Gonzales, owner of Lisa G Designs, is a local designer who specializes in jersey reconstruction wowed the audience with out of the world neon colours and bold colour blocking of her reconstructed tops, bottoms and dresses.

As for performance,the models were spectacular. The local models who are members of the group ‘Curvibz Movement Models’ did us proud. International plus size models hailing from countries such as America, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Canada and South Korea came all the way to Trinidad to show their support for the event, and more importantly their support for the cause and meaning behind the event. The atmosphere was lovely; the audience was supportive, clapping and cheering as the models walked, shimmied and sometimes even palanced down the runway. It was refreshing to see women of all shapes and sizes strut down the runway overflowing with confidence.

However, I must add that while I applaud the models for displaying the clothing with confidence, in my opinion, sexiness can be understated, it does not have to be brash and in your face. Most of the outfits chosen were exquisite and complimented the figures of the ladies. Others: not so much. Short and tight is not the way to go for all body types, indeed, a long or looser fitting dress or outfit will surpass a short or tight dress once it is more flattering. It is my opinion that this could have been kept in mind when certain outfit selections were being made.

As for the live entertainment by Dayo Bejide Organic Productions , obviously, steel pan music characterized Pan in Style which was indeed as flavourful, vibrant, fluid and entertaining as the tunes being played. I observed members of the audience bobbing their heads and smiling as they enjoyed the music. I commend the organizers for including this cultural element.

The carnival costumes were eye catching.

Carnival Costumes by DVOG

The ladies chipped down the runway as the audience erupted in cheers and good humored cat calls. Utopia’s presentation “Out of The Darkness” was very dramatic. Of course band leader Stuart Sampson was present as models dressed in his costumes depicted the theme for 2013. `

“A void of darkness, a world of demons, then the light came and conquered it, dispersing the darkness. The light brought colour into the world, because of the light we see all the beauty of nature.”