Fashionistas do not like to wait. Therefore, keeping the über-stylish ones (in staggering stilettos) waiting for half an hour outside the firmly shut doors of the Concorde Experience did not make for an auspicious start to the Barbados Fashion Week(end).
The mercifully small gathering was quite polite, albeit mildly irritated by the delay. And, as it happened, the night proceeded without further discernible incident.
The doors finally opened 25 full minutes after the scheduled start of the show, and the first models hit the runway nearly 45 minutes after the 8 p.m. start. By this time, most patrons were of the opinion that BB Fashion Week needed to “bring it”!
To open the show, a stylishly clad Ria Borman descended the stairs of the Concorde, thrilled and soothed the audience with her voice, and entertained with her energetic dancers. She worked the longer-than-Grantley-Adams runway like the pro that she is, keeping all eyes on her and her micro-mini (and staggering stilettos), despite a valiant attempt by her backup dancers to steal the spotlight.
Notable on the runway was young designer Kesia Estwick, whose glam-punk rocker chic collection earned her the night’s only standing ovation. Fashionistas don’t voluntarily stand in those stylish shoes, so anything that got them to their feet was indeed worth looking at.
Estwick’s collection was modern and flirty with a hard edge; her choice of mesh-like fabrics provided perfect counterpoint to flirty skirts, slinky silhouettes and hoodies – yes, hoodies.
Toni Thorne of BoUiK was playful and unapologetically Bajan, featuring models with “jucking boards” and flambeaux accessories. Thorne is probably one of a handful of people who can create a Shaggy Bear-inspired piece and make it sexy.
The ladies of Pink Lemonade, Rotchelle Parris and Daisy-Lyn Ward‚ put on a strong showing with their first collection. Their vibrant colours, asymmetrical lines and bold accessories were eye-catching and, best of all, wearable.
The Pink Lemonade collection is definitely worth investigating; and one should certainly see about acquiring at least one or two pieces.
The opening night of the Barbados Fashion Week was filled with potential, the design of the runway a definite selling point. Despite the frustrating initial delay, the show itself (once started) proved a near-flawless exercise that bears repeating next year and for years to come.
There is much talent on these 166 square miles: designers; models; producers; make-up artists and hair stylists, and Barbados Fashion Week is an integral part of bringing that talent to the Barbadian public‚ and certainly to the attention of the international fashion community, who cannot but take notice of the big things happening on our little rock.
