Focus on Fashion
Inaugural Eco Fashion Week Australia Calls for Designers - May 14, 2017 - 2:55:07 AM

Eco Fashion Week Australia is set to take place Down Under from November 23 - 27, 2017 and the festival will be packed with national and international designer runway shows, design and textile art exhibitions, pop up shops, workshops, and seminars to promote sustainability. Founded by Perth-based Australian eco fashion designer and visual artist Zuhal Kuvan-Mills of Green Embassy, Zuhal has taken her passion for slow fashion to a new level with the creation of this first of its kind fashion event for the region.

The focus will be sustainable, ethical production, organic and natural materials which does not leave carbon foot prints. Garments created with Organic, re-cycled, up-cycled fabrics, traditional hand-crafted textiles...

News : International
International Fashion Star Scouts The Bahamas for New Destination Film Series - Apr 28, 2017 - 12:06:23 PM

When he’s not travelling the world or designing fashion pieces for some of the biggest fashion shows such as the recent New York Fashion Week, Steven Strawder, better known as “Stevie Boi”, is busy shooting footage for his new destination film series.

American Stevie Boi, a social media star, is a fashion designer, actor, author and founder of clothing brand NOIR and the luxury eye-wear brand SBShades. Lady Gaga, Beyonce and Katy Perry have been widely published wearing the distinctive sun glasses. -more-

Recently, the fashionista visited Nassau to research sites and events to film for the next episode in his destination film series and declared The Sandyport Beach Resort as his favourite resort in the Bahamas. T he photogenic award-winning boutique resort became the backdrop for a fashion photoshoot with Miss World Bahamas 2016, Ashley Hamilton...

Columns : Style Drama - Edward Quan
The Beret Story - Apr 21, 2017 - 2:29:44 PM

The French beret long associated with artist Pablo Picasso living in Paris during the early 1900’s, revolutionaries and made stylish by actress and fashion model Brigitte Bardot in the 50’s has returned as one of the hottest luxury fashion looks for spring.

Now with its rebel history and look, it has recently appeared in the runway designer collections of Yves Saint Laurent, Isabel Marant, and Dior. Given a makeover with bright colored textured wools to all black leather with colored stones, the best beret looks on the fashion models were with their hair up...

Focus on Fashion
Fashion designer from Australia highlights Ocean Conservancy at Vancouver Fashion Week - Apr 1, 2017 - 6:48:37 PM

World Water Week has just concluded and although many events took place around the world close to rivers, oceans and streams, the fashion runway may be one of the last places on people's minds when it comes to water and conservation.  Enter Zuhal Kuvan-Mills from Australia and her Green Embassy 'Empty Oceans' collection...

Environmental activist, fashion designer and artist Kuvan-Mills believes art and fashion impact our emotions and can move us to value our blue planet. Currently supporting the world’s leading direct action ocean conservation organization, Sea Shepherd (Australia) she said she was compelled to return to west-coast Canada for Vancouver Fashion Week...

Focus on Fashion
Bahamas' Theodore Elyett applies to Project Runway - Mar 31, 2017 - 6:01:41 PM

Bahamian designer, Theodore Elyett has submitted the following audition video to the American television series, Project Runway, hoping to be the very first Bahamian to be on the fashion design show about to launch it's 16th season.

Elyett has applied once before and this time writes, "Giving this a second shot!!  Here's my audition tape for Project Runway Season 16!! Watch, enjoy AND let's keep our fingers crossed!"

Project Runway's winning designer will receive $100,000 and other prizes.

Focus on Fashion
International Designers Stand Out at Vancouver Fashion Week Day 5 - Mar 28, 2017 - 8:49:23 PM

Vancouver, BC - Day five of Vancouver Fashion Week F/W W17  drew in collections from the luxurious streets of England, Denmark, Japan, Luxembourg and Spain. All collections showcased stunning materials leaving the mind to explosive interpretations.

Camilla Askholm’s women’s wear collection channels a minimalistic, timeless sense of feminine elegance. The Danish designer aims for structure and tailors her pieces appropriately for a unique ensemble. With a vision for a more sustainable approach to fashion, the collection’s focal point is on lines, composition, fine materials, and crafted detailing. Basic pastel colouring is long gone and replaced with bold patterned pieces pared with velvet in-hues of green and blue...

Focus on Fashion
Day 4 Highlights: Vancouver Fashion Week F/W 2017 - Mar 24, 2017 - 12:50:33 PM

Vancouver Fashion Week kicked off day 4 at the Chinese Cultural Center once again with creative designers from all over the world. Thursday evening presented numerous men’s collections shifting from street grunge to oversized statement pieces.

Terry Shin, the face and creative director behind BLACKMERLE, opened day four of VFW with slicked down models in dystopian streetwear. Based in Seoul and Vancouver, Shin has created a paradox of military grunge and street clothes, focusing on powerful silhouettes, chain accents and a dark pallet. Overly large shoes, gelled hair and highlighted skin completed the apocalyptic meets high fashion streetwear...

Focus on Fashion
Where African Fashions Meet the Stylish Traveler - Mar 24, 2017 - 12:33:33 AM

Shangani Fashion's debut presentation during New York Fashion Week conveys contemporary cuts that are accented with vintage accessories. Shangani Fashion Designs are a juxtaposition of culture and style. Shangani is an African tribe who dwelled near the Shangani River in Zimbabwe, Africa. The tribe was named after its founder; and the name "Shoshangani" means traveler. Shangani Fashion is a brand inspired by the experience of travel and the exposure of different cultures.
Creations by Shangani's Designers merge their travel experiences with colorful ethnic prints, and contemporary shapes to create a high fashion, ready-to-wear look. Traditional African fabrics with a modern mix, is the passion behind Shangani Fashions...

Focus on Fashion
Eco Fashion Designer Draws Awareness to Our Fragile Oceans - Mar 22, 2017 - 7:42:59 AM

One could say it’s serendipitous that Canada’s largest fashion event coincides with World Water Week, and Australia’s eco designer, Zuhal Kuvan-Mills of Green Embassy will be showcasing her Empty Oceans series on the runway at Vancouver Fashion Week (VFW) this Sunday, March 26th.

As an environmental activist, designer and artist Kuvan-Mills believes art and fashion impact our emotions and can move us to value our blue planet. This is her third time to VFW and she says she was inspired to return after hearing about the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion and its threat to local waters, in particular that her current collection is her emotional response to the world's troubled oceans...

Focus on Fashion
Carnival costumes hit Vancouver Fashion Week's opening night - Mar 21, 2017 - 8:12:32 PM

The Opening Gala of Vancouver Fashion Week F/W 2017 marks the 29th season of the week-long runway event. The March 20th anticipated event showcased collections from 5 up-and-coming designers graduating from LaSalle’s Fashion Design Program. An exclusive preview to several VFW featured designers including a special sneak peek of Japanese label Wasso Vege's latest designs, along with the incredible works of Brazilian based designer Atelier Valeria Costa.

Atelier Valeria Costa brought the festivity of the Brazilian celebration of Carnival to the VFW stage! The designer captivated the audience with her designs, amidst a lively showcase of dance and festivity...

Focus on Fashion
Nine designers to watch out for at Vancouver Fashion Week - Mar 13, 2017 - 6:12:30 PM

Vancouver Fashion Week (VFW) has announced details for its 29th consecutive season. The autumn/winter 2017 season will take place from the 20th to 26th March in Vancouver, British Columbia and nine designers from Canada, Japan, Spain, Italy, Australia and Hungary have been hot-tipped by founder and producer, Jamal Abdourahman.

Born in Madrid and trained in London, Arantxa Morcillo is genuinely curious about materials, forms and silhouettes. An obsessive attention to research is essential in her creative process which evolves in rich and intimate collections. She worked at Somerset House and interned with Gareth Pugh before embarking on her own projects. Her AW17 collection Memories will be shown on the runway at VFW...

Focus on Fashion
Bahamian luxury handbag designer showcases during London Fashion Week - Mar 4, 2017 - 8:56:44 AM

Luxury bespoke handbag brand Willique showcases at Fashion’s Finest off-schedule shows during London Fashion Week.

In its seventh year, Fashion’s Finest is one of the biggest and most successful independent off-schedule events that coincides with London Fashion Week. As a leading international platform for emerging designers, the event draws press, buyers and industry figures – eager to see fresh, creative talent and trends.

Willique had the opportunity to showcase the brand’s range of luxury and bespoke leather bags and accessories in Fashion's Finest exhibition space...

Focus on Fashion
St. John’s College’s band, 'Special Blend' wears Bahari - Feb 22, 2017 - 10:50:42 AM

When members of St. John’s College’s band, Special Blend, put their game face on to compete in the first ever TMP Music Competition organized by Zamar Group, the final touch was adorning themselves with one of a kind Bahari shirts.

The band went on to win the competition hands down which afforded its members the opportunity to perform in the state of Boston this summer. The band, which was formed in November of 2016, describes its style as a mixture of music genres thus the name, “Special Blend”...

Focus on Fashion
Bahamian models to hit the runway at New York Fashion Week - Feb 10, 2017 - 2:44:21 AM

Top PTG models, Selvinique Wright and Vanessa Leach are gearing up to hit the runway at New York Fashion Week on Thursday, February 9th, at the incredible Madison Square Garden.

No strangers to the runway, PTG veterans Wright and Leach easily snagged runway spots with Las Vegas established, top designer David Tupaz; the shining Filipino gem on the Hollywood red carpet. According to Pia Glover, PTG Marketing & Modeling Agency President, both Leach and Wright are thrilled to be a part of such a major opportunity. “It speaks volumes to the talent that we have here in The Bahamas, including the team at PTG Marketing & Modeling Agency..."

Columns : Style Drama - Edward Quan
The 80’s Fashion Trends Love Affair for 2017 Has Begun - Feb 8, 2017 - 9:16:24 PM

If you lived through it, you’ll probably remember the 80’s as a decade when fashion was larger-than-life. The 80’s fashion trends introduced us to bold female silhouettes defined by colorful oversize blazers with shoulder pads, big permed hair with heavy makeup and risqué low cut sequin dresses with thigh-high slits. Needless to say, it was one of the more influential style periods in recent memory.

Many fashion designers look to the past for inspiration and their love affair with 80’s fashion trends is everywhere for spring 2017. Watch for the following 80s style influences, some which we may soon see on our city streets...

Focus on Fashion
Miss Universe Bahamas dazzled with the help of local designers - Feb 2, 2017 - 4:38:53 PM

A new Miss Universe was crowned on January 29th in the Philippines and representing The Bahamas was 24 year old Cherell Williamson of Nassau was showing up in stellar exclusive fashions throughout the pageant thanks to local designers, Theodore Elyett, and Javotte Bethel.

According to Theodore Elyett, who is one of the best designers to ever come out of The Bahamas, this was the first time in 13 years that a Miss Universe Bahamas wardrobe was provided by a Bahamian designer. After seeing Cherell glide across the Miss Universe stage during preliminaries in his "Golden Goddess" gown, Theodore wrote the following on his Facebook page, "...yup...crying my eyes out...to that 13 year old boy that never gave up!

Community
Red Dress Soiree donates more than $13,000 to Bahamas AIDS Foundation - Dec 22, 2016 - 10:53:58 AM

The Red Dress Soiree, today presented a cheque in the amount of $13,214.67 to The Bahamas AIDS Foundation to benefit their Adolescent Outreach Programme.

The funds were raised at the event's silent auction held on December 10, 2016 in the Imperial Ballroom at Atlantis. More than 30 silent auction packages with items donated by more than 70 corporate donors were offered in the digital silent auction.

The three part event – runway show, dinner and silent auction featured twelve of The Bahamas’ Leading Ladies who showcased red gowns created by twelve Bahamian fashion designers...

Focus on Fashion
Bahari Bahamas opens on Bay Street - Dec 21, 2016 - 4:49:12 PM

Nassau, The Bahamas – Bahari is closing out the year 2016 with a bang by launching its Winter Collection in its newest location downtown, Nassau, across from the Hilton British Colonial Hotel.

Bahari opened the door to its third store on December 17 with a promotion entitled, “12 Hours of Bahari” that showcased Bahari’s Winter Collection and set Bay Street buzzing with word that the fashion leaders are now located downtown. This new store promises the same first class, fabulous products and service Bahari has offered the Bahamian public over the past two years, with additional focus on resort wear...

Focus on Fashion
BTVI fashion design student launches collection - Dec 16, 2016 - 4:47:14 PM

The designs on display exuded confidence and adventure. Upcoming fashion designer Delano Marc, recently hosted an intimate al fresco fashion show at the Melia Nassau Beach Resort, launching a collection that’s for the bold, beautiful and artsy.

The fashion design student of the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI), might be one of the new kids on the fashion scene, but already he is making waves. In 2015, he placed second in the 2015 Miss Bahamas Top Designer showcase.

However, in his solo fashion show, dubbed ‘Love Letters and Poems,’ Delano created delightful chaos...

Community : Service Organizations
Leading Ladies Shine at Red Dress Soiree - Dec 16, 2016 - 1:45:29 PM

Nassau, Bahamas - More than 300 persons filled the Imperial Ballroom at Atlantis for the third bi-annual Red Dress Soiree, powered by Aliv held on December 10, 2016. The event, whose silent auction benefits The Bahamas AIDS Foundation, raised thousands for the foundation’s work with adolescents affected by and infected with HIV/AIDS.

The three part event – runway show, dinner and silent auction featured twelve of The Bahamas’ trailblazing women who showcased original designs by twelve Bahamian fashion designers...