A Caribbean Art and Culture Blog
My favourite jewellery designer Gillian Bishop held a fashion show with a difference this morning at the Normandie Hotel. It combined the fashion available at The Shop accessorized with her jewellery.
My cousin is one of the jewellery designers whose Carnival collection was on display.
Here are a few of my snaps.
I had a lot of fun this year covering all manner of things cultural and artsy. It was very inspiring to see people doing their thing in this country. It belies the rab that nothing good can come from here. I saw amazing art, and was party to enlightening conversations about design and history.
I can’t wait for 2017.
My favourite art exhibition was Josh Lu’s Paradise. It’s his cautionary tale for a country that doesn’t protect it’s heritage, built or otherwise. That has devolved into violence, and doesn’t seem to know it’s way out. That he quoted my brilliant friend Niama Sandy in his artist’s statement was icing on the cake. But I’ll keep looking out for Josh’s work.
He’s currently in London as one of the British Council’s 2017 TAARE artists.
Adele Todd’s Black Guard was also another favourite. I knew that she worked in embroidery, but I really didn’t expect it to have such an impact. The show took a hard look at our security services, and burgeoning surveillance state.
It was beyond cool that she got the Museum to paint the exhibition room red. You really should have seen it.
And then there was the Cazabon Exhibition at the Diplomatic Centre. I’ve written about that experience on this blog. I didn’t get to go back and see them, but I’m lucky to have seen them with Geoffery MacLean, so I consider myself fortunate.
I got to see Stickfight for the first time. I know, I know. I highly recommend it, it’s my intention to make this my new Carnival tradition.
Viewing tip. Look out for the paramedic who is thoroughly enjoying the match-ups. Bless him, he’s not letting his fun prevent him from doing his job. He made my night.
From Fete Fonts now Sign Books, to Fashion and Film Festivals galore. This year was an eye opening one for me, so I’m really looking forward to what 2017 has to offer.
I really, really enjoyed the Afrofunk Fashion show The Warrior Walks Alone. It took place last Saturday at the Big Black Box on Murray Street. If you follow me on Instagram (@soyinification) you can tell, I took so many pictures. And I posted to the blog during the show and shared from shots in another blog post after.
I had the opportunity to talk to Charlene Shephard-Duncan about the local fashion industry and she was very vocal about what it lacks. She also told me whose vibe she likes. Check out my story for the news:
I was pleasantly surprised by T&T/US Designer, Charlene Sheppard-Duncan’s Spring/ Summer 2017 collection for Afropunkk. I had an awareness of the brand and it’s aesthetic, and didn’t expect to find stuff I’d want in my wardrobe. But what came down the runwalk was very, very wearable, and I now have plans to add a dress or two to my closet.
Here are some blurry snaps of some of my faves.
I’m at Afrofunkk Fashion Runway show Warrior’s Walk Alone at the Big Black Box
I’ve been doing a bit of shopping lately, window and otherwise, of local fashion things. I’ve mentioned my Meiling adventures, I stopped by the Jade Gedeon pop-up at Medulla, and yesterday I interviewed Robert Young of The Cloth. I should mention that I’ve ordered a Loud by Afiya skirt, I’m so excited about that purchase.
Local fashion is having a bit of a revival. With places like Blue Basin, The Shop at Normandie, Anya’s Exhibit A and good ole’ Social Media, Trinbagonian shoppers are spoilt for choice.
And we have everything from workwear, swimwear, pret a fêter and Monday wear, local designers are covering all bases.
What I’m really interested in is the sustainability of all of this. Garment production facilities are urgently needed, or so some local designers have told me. FashionTT is looking to start-up one that would be ready to take orders as early as April. But there’s a problem. When FashionTT presented their plans to local designers, some of them walked out, because they were concerned with the ownership of the facility. I spoke to Robert Young who says, they prefer a “worker-run” and managed facility so that the workers have a stake in the company. But they also manage their own affairs. It remains to be seen what comes out of this. I will try to keep you posted.
That said, it’s nice to see more retail shops finding space for local designers on their racks. Like J.Angelique for Jebelle and Marie Collette and Adrian Foster for 212 Location. I attended the launch of the latter, and my report for C News Live is after this post.
Robert Young welcomed guests to his store, The Cloth at the Hotel Normandie in St. Anns.
The store opened last evening with a fashion showcase.
November 17th
6:30PM
Philippa’s Garden
Tickets $75
Festival Launch & Cocktail Reception
Afro-diasporic Linkages and the Caribbean Voyage Art Exhibition Opening
CFAFF Special Selection – Boys of Soweto (4 mins)
CFAFF Official Selection -Destination Runway (21 mins)
November 18th
9:30AM
Arima Tennis Club
(Secondary School Students)
Afro-diasporic Linkages and the Caribbean Voyage Student Art Exhibition
Afro-diasporic Linkages and the Caribbean Voyage Panel Discussion with Dr. Olabisi Kuboni, Festival Chair
CFAFF Official Selections (20 mins)
Filmmakers Q & A
2:00PM
AKIMBO
(Fashion and Film Students Only)
International Fashion Film Screening Curated by Niccolo Montanari (45 mins)
Fashion Film Future Q&A with Niccolo Montanari, International Fashion Film Consultant
7:00PM
AKIMBO
Tickets TT $30
CFAFF Official Selections (80 mins)
*Complimentary Cocktails
November 19th
12:00PM
AKIMBO
Tickets TT $30
CFAFF Official Selection – Fanm Djanm – We Are Every Woman (2mins)
CFAFF Special Selection – DIVA Enemy of the People (95 mins)
The HeART of Fashion Panel Discussion with Nicole Joseph Chin, Founder of Ms. Brafit
*High Tea Served
7:30PM
The Rush Sports Bar and Night Club
Tickets $100
Afro-diasporic Linkages and the Caribbean Voyage Urban Gala & CFAFF Award Ceremony
*Entrance to After Party Included
10:00PM
At the Door $80
*Urban Gala After Party
For more information call 381-6469. Tickets are available at AKIMBO 37 C Pro Queen Street Arima. For collection in POS contact 761-9120 or 748-7156
One of my favourite illustrators is a talented jewellery desingner as well.
Jade Gedeon had a pop-up at Medulla Gallery last evening. I had to exercise some restraint, and opted for a picture and not the massive hoops I really wanted.
If you see something you want, she’ll be at UpMarket on Sunday
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