Focus on Fashion
Canadian-Bahamian model makes her runway debut at Vancouver Fashion Week - Mar 18, 2016 - 11:58:03 AM

Aliyah Lafrenier, a fourteen-year-old 5' 9" Canadian-Bahamian model made her runway debut at Vancouver Fashion Week in B.C., Canada.  Aliyah recently returned to her birth country after growing up in The Bahamas, and is excited to be working in an industry she feels called to.

On Tuesday, Aliyah walked for Jennifer Somosa, a fashion designer and architect from Venezuela. On Wednesday, she walked for Noctex, a designer from Canada.   Vancouver Fashion Week takes place at the Chinese Cultural Centre in downtown  Vancouver, and is a 7-day event...

Columns : Style Drama - Edward Quan
Armani: Designing for Women in a Digital Age - Mar 17, 2016 - 2:37:28 AM

Melding his signature clean lines with colourful digital designs, Giorgio Armani unveiled “New Pop”, his Emporio Armani Autumn/Winter 2016-17 collection, at Milan Fashion Week. In pursuit of a younger Italian woman, the collection was an homage to the high tech era, offering splashes of fluorescent colour and emoji-like prints on funky fabrics.

“New Pop” proved that “King Giorgio”, as he is known to his colleagues, is equally at home designing youthful, trendy pieces as he is producing elegant gowns for the red carpet. Armani, now 81, embraced the new digital generation, showing black fabrics printed with geometrical motifs made up of squares, triangles and circles in bubble gum pink, lime green and citrus yellow.

Focus on Fashion
Vancouver Fashion Week kicks off 27th season with designer showcase - Mar 15, 2016 - 4:58:39 PM

VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA – Considered one of the fastest growing and largest fashion events in North America, Vancouver Fashion Week (VFW) is back for its 27th season and 16th year.  Kicking off on March 14th with their opening gala featuring a designer showcase, where each designer showed their top piece as a prelude of 'things to come' during the next 6 days.  They put on quite  an impressive show!

VFW keeps growing and improving as the seasons pass, and this installment will feature over 100 runway shows highlighting the hottest trends for fall/winter 2016. It was evident from the opening night gala that VFW is being noticed around the world, not only from the international representation of designers, but also the visiting media and press...

Focus on Fashion
St. Georges High School fashion design program to holds Fashion Show - Mar 14, 2016 - 8:51:41 AM

Freeport, Grand Bahama Island - On Monday March 14^TH - Friday March 18^th The students of grade 12 fashion design program of St. Georges High will be launching their 2016 design collection showcasing their designer pieces. Their pieces will be on live mannequins and the front foyer/ office will be designed by the students showing their store layout.

The idea of this fashion showcase is to broadcast the future fashion designers and to get their designer names out there as a come up to their success...

Focus on Fashion
Bahamian model, Shavon Nottage returns to New York Fashion Week - Feb 26, 2016 - 3:21:56 AM

After her 2014 international runway debut at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week S/S15 in New York,  the former Miss Jr Grand Bahama, Miss Teenager Bahamas, and Elite Model Look Bahamas winner hit the runway again in New York last week.

Shavon walked in one show for Nicholas K, and did four presentations, where she stands in the designers clothes for people to walk up close and view the garments.  She presented for Runa Ray, Tenby, Victoria Beard, and Hanley...

Columns : Style Drama - Edward Quan
Eye-Catching Colourful Stripes Take Us Into Spring - Feb 17, 2016 - 7:42:32 PM

Keep an eye open over the next few months and you’ll notice a playful new twist on a spring fashion classic. With the onset of the warmer weather, women will be immersed in the graphic lines, zigzagging patterns and dynamic colour combinations of bold, bright stripes.
 
This represents a fascinating evolution from a look that dominated women’s wear just a few seasons ago when European luxury designers presented more traditional patterns such as houndstooth and pinstripes...

Focus on Fashion
'Hardour Collection' Launches Valentine's 2016 Collection - Feb 8, 2016 - 3:22:45 PM

There is no doubt about it, Bahamians love Valentine's Day, and they love, love, love to dress up for it!

If you are looking for something new to wear on the romance-filled night of February 14th, Hardour Collection has just launched their Valentine's 2016 Collection.

Married, dating or single, Bahamian designer Anthea Bullard has dreamed up fabulous creations with something for everyone, sure to seduce your sweetheart, or wow the general public. There's even a blouse to to show your V-Day colours in the work place...

Columns : Style Drama - Edward Quan
Sleepwear Becomes Day-Wear in Spring Fashions - Jan 12, 2016 - 10:49:43 PM

There is an underlying sensual fever with the new spring fashions. Lingerie-inspired looks of embroidered silk and lace, soft flowing ruffles and sexy bare shoulders have emerged from the luxury designer collections of Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta and Givenchy. Sleepwear, it appears, has transformed into day-wear.

Creative director Peter Copping, of Oscar de la Renta, has taken his inspiration from the culturally rich flamingo dance of Spain and delivered a vibrant red-hued ruffle ensemble that was a runway showstopper. His use of a sexy black Chantilly lace tank top under a poppy jacquard capelet, paired with a matching pencil skirt, is an exquisite example of the new sexual chic ...

Columns : Style Drama - Edward Quan
The Making of a Perfume: Go Big or Go Home - Dec 15, 2015 - 11:00:20 PM

It’s the day before Mother’s Day in the year 2000, and Norwegian Geir Ness was about to make his grand entrance at the Nordstrom Beverly Hills store to launch his first fragrance Laila. Just a few weeks prior, he was haggling at a garage sale for a five-dollar suit that he was wearing and a small piece of red carpet to stand on. A colleague, a man named John, was playing the role of paparazzi, but could not even afford film for his camera. On cue, two young female friends were ready to scream hysterically as Ness made his appearance on the floor.

That was then...

Focus on Fashion
Congolese Cultural Creations featured at New York Fashion Week - Dec 14, 2015 - 3:23:24 PM

Contributing cultural fashions to New York Fashion Week is always welcomed in a city of cultural diversity. During market week in September, African elegance arrived at New York's Plaza Hotel. The Kapy Bash Mode collection debuted in a collective showcase of international presenters to an audience of style enthusiast, fashion influencers and media makers. Kapy Bash Mode offers African ethnic gowns that are inspired by cultures from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Kapy Bash Mode uses liputa, ankara, french lace, bazin, satin and linen fabrics...

Focus on Fashion
Bahamian entrepreneur makes it big with Caribbean area codes - Dec 11, 2015 - 11:47:31 AM

Until now, perhaps better known to our readers as "Mr. Carter," the recording artist and creator of The Limbo Song, Angelo A. Carter is doing well now in the fashion industry.  A Freeport, Grand Bahama native, and resident of Baltimore, Washington, Angelo's Island Code Tees (R) are worn throughout the Caribbean and have even been seen on Soca Queen, Alison Hinds.

Angelo said he came up with the idea back in 1998 while he was a performing in Baltimore. After making a long distance phone call home to the Bahamas, he discovered that the area code had been changed from 809 to 242. After some research, he found out that all the Caribbean country area codes had been changed, so he matched each area code with the country flag…

News : International : Caribbean News
Caribbean and Latin American Fashion Designers to Showcase at Dominicana Moda 2015 - Oct 30, 2015 - 6:53:02 AM

Santo Domingo - After ten (10) years Dominicana Moda can certainly claim to be the one of the most prestigious and important fashion events in the Caribbean and Latin America. Over the past 5 years the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) has supported Caribbean designers’ participation at the event and this year will facilitate the participation of designers from Haiti and the Dominican Republic within the framework of the Haiti-DR Bi-National Programme.

At the events press conference yesterday National Authorizing Officer for the EDF, General Directorate of Multilateral Cooperation Amb. Antonio Vargas Hernandez highlighted their commitment to the industry stating that...

Columns : Style Drama - Edward Quan
Green Embassy: Glamorous fusion of couture and nature - Oct 27, 2015 - 11:51:37 PM

Green Embassy celebrates the earth’s mystical rain forests and the treasures that they hold with a new haute couture collection for spring 2016 filled with dazzling romantic dresses in a lush palette of crimson, cream, purple and yellow.

It has been a year since I last interviewed Australian fashion designer artist, Zuhal Kuvan-Mills at Vancouver Fashion Week, where I first discovered her exquisite couture collection that is both luxurious and earth friendly.

Titled, Silent Rainforest this collection is visually stunning. Several of the outfits have high collars taking us back to the classic Victorian era...

Focus on Fashion
NYGÅRD SLIMS store opens in The Bahamas - Oct 23, 2015 - 10:45:20 AM

Peter Nygard Supports Victims of Hurricane Joaquin

Fashion designer Peter Nygard opened his new  NYGARD SLIMs store on October 17th at the Mall at Marathon in Nassau and announced that $1.00 from every pair of SLIMs sold during the months of October and November will be donated directly to the Family Island Hurricane Relief Efforts.

"Together WE can make a difference," said Nygard at two separate fashion shows with a standing room only crowd. Nygard has been a long time philanthropist to Bahamians in need, sponsoring numerous athletes and donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to other worthy Bahamian causes...

Community
Bahamas shows well at Island Music, Model and Talent Showcase of the Islands - Oct 22, 2015 - 11:44:35 PM

PTG Marketing & Modeling Agency Directors are beaming with pride at the success of the young Bahamian talent that was recently taken to the world’s industry professionals via the Music, Model and Talent Showcase of the Islands (Island MMTS). Since 1999, PTG has trained, groomed and managed local talent for the industry. PTG has helped young talent (actors, singers, dancers and models) launch their careers internationally and follow their dreams through development workshops, training, career guidance and management. Island MMTS is the brainchild of the Founder of PTG Marketing & Modeling Agency, Pia T. Glover-Rolle...

Focus on Fashion
Bahamas' David Rolle wins challenge 3 on Mission Catwalk all-star season - Oct 16, 2015 - 5:41:33 PM

Bahamian fashion designer, David Rolle is back in Jamaica for Mission Catwalk's 'All-Star' season. The popular Caribbean fashion design show is now in it's 5th cycle, and this time they have brought back some of their best featured designers. Rolle participated in season 3 in 2013, where he impressed judges and placed second overall.

Last Saturday, Rolle was successful in securing the 3rd challenge win to, "design a garment inspired by an exotic tropical flower."

They were required to select a flower from Tai Flora and design a garment around it. Rolle's winning piece, was inspired by the peony. His creation is blush coloured corset top with cigarette high-waisted pants, and a matching chiffon cape...

Columns : Style Drama - Edward Quan
The renaissance of the luxury jewelry brand, John Rubel - Oct 9, 2015 - 7:11:04 AM

The legacy of John Rubel began 100 years ago when two brothers, Jean and Robert Rubel arrived from Budapest to open their first atelier a few doors from the Place Vendome, Paris. Skilled jewelers, their talents were quickly recognized and in demand by luxury retailers such as Van Cleef & Arpels and Boucheron.

The brothers were legendary as their famous “Roses” bracelet made for Van Cleef & Arpels displayed at the Exposition of Modern and Decorative Arts in Paris won a Grand Prize in 1924.

In 1939, the Rubel brothers followed Van Cleef & Arpels to America where they were trusted to manufacture their jewelry...

Focus on Fashion
Emerging designers dazzle at Miss Bahamas contest - Sep 10, 2015 - 3:20:27 PM

Having created a dramatic, avant garde evening gown that was considered the best depiction of the theme, Beauty by Nature, emerging fashion designer Trineil Hanna recently snagged the coveted Miss Bahamas Organization’s (MBO) Top Designer Award.

The 23-year-old’s strikingly beautiful yellow dress incorporated a myriad of things Bahamian from branches, flowers and beads to straw, butterflies and birds. His piece wowed the audience at Sapodilla Restaurant, as his model, Miss Universe New Providence, Sienna Evans, sashayed down the runway...

News : International : Caribbean News
Sourcing at Magic with Haiti’s Textile and Apparel Sector - Sep 9, 2015 - 4:28:28 PM

Bridgetown, BARBADOS - Visitors of SOURCING at MAGIC 2015 were introduced to the unique and creative forms of garments available to them from the Haitian textile and apparel industry when the Center for Facilitation of Investments (CFI) of Haiti and members from the Industry Association of Haiti (ADIH), supported by The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export)  showcased the country’s best in textile and apparel at the event held in Las Vegas, Nevada from August 16-19, 2015.

SOURCING at MAGIC is North America’s largest and most comprehensive apparel sourcing event, connecting the entire global supply chain of the fashion industry.   This year the event offered unmatched access to over 41 countries representing the world’s most important markets.

Focus on Fashion
High Fashion Fantasy set for Nassau on October 3rd - Sep 4, 2015 - 2:10:36 PM

Nassau, Bahamas - The return of High Fashion Fantasy is highly anticipated as two others were held in 2005 and 2007.  This edition will feature designs from Bahamian designer "Brynda Knowles" who's creations capture a woman's elegance in evening and casual styles. Knowles focuses mostly on prints, and soft fabrics that keeps a woman cool, but well dressed.