Shanika Burnett of the clothing line SHAKAD is all about colour patterns and the movement of nature.
Do you feel your formal education at Queen’s College helped prepare you for working in the industry?
My education began formally at home with my parents. My father is an artist/craftsman and my mother was a fashion designer while I was growing up, so I was always surrounded with creativity. I learnt some sewing techniques from my mother and the business side I learnt from my father. The diligence and perseverance necessary to see projects through to the end was further nurtured during those long but rewarding art-room days throughout my seven years at Queen’s College (QC). It was during that time under the tutorship of my art teacher Mrs Spink that I fostered the appreciation for my work, gained better understanding of the time that goes into creating something beautiful and developed a keen eye for detail. It would only be accurate to say that my life has prepared me for working in the industry.
What drew you to fashion and specifically to starting your own line?
I am very rounded and excelled in almost every area from academics to home economics to technical drawing, so it was difficult to decide exactly what I wanted to pursue as my career choice. I designed simple outfits during my QC days for myself and friends to wear to social outing., I even made my uniforms and those of a few of my close friends in Sixth Form. However, the real serious designing began when I was trying to find a graduation dress. I couldn’t find one which I loved and so I began conceptualising gowns. I had so many to choose from by the time I was finished and needless to say I won the prize for best dressed female at graduation. From there, my sketches multiplied for four years before I was ready to register my business and complete my first collection which was a major success right off the bat.
What one piece of advice would you give to someone wanting to start a career in fashion?
Think outside the box while being true to yourself as a creative individual.
Where do you get your design inspiration?
My inspiration comes from the colours, patterns and movements of nature. This includes the elements, people, animals, flowers, the breeze, raindrops, the rainbow, the way the sea meets the shoreline, the way a woman’s body curves and I can go on and on.
What is the best perk in being a designer?
The possible opportunities available for a fashion designer are endless although it difficult to capitalize on them without initial support. So far the “best perk” is the people I get to meet and work with who range from professionals and influential businesspeople to high profile beauty queens and celebrities. I am truly blessed to be able to do what I love and I am still overwhelmed at the accolades my work receives, especially from internationally recognised fashion designers, clients and fashionistas. My line will be four years old in June and some of the major highlights of my career so far were meeting Eve, LaQuan Smith, the Mataano twins and K’naan, outfitting actress Vanessa Williams and Leah Marville for Miss World 2009 and Splash TV, experiencing Africa Fashion Week and being featured in Pride Magazine UK.
Where do you like to shop for fabrics or vintage inspiration?
I prefer exclusive fabrics. This is what sets SHAKAD apart from the rest, so most of my fabrics are dyed by Ayissa Textile Designs which specializes in resist and hand-dying textile techniques and the art of surface design.
Who are some of your favourite designers?
Roberto Cavalli for his clever use of prints, Mundo Guerra for his use of colour and innovative fabric selection, and Robert Young (The Cloth) for his natural but very sophisticated look which stays true to the Caribbean flair while standing out from others.
What is the most difficult aspect of running your own label?
It is an expensive industry, inputs are very costly and importing on a small scale is quite expensive. Also, venture capital investment is very difficult to secure.
What do you wish people would understand about working in the fashion industry?
The global fashion apparel industry is one of the most important sectors of the economy in terms of investment, revenue, trade and employment generation all over the world. There is so much untapped economic potential in this industry for Barbados and the Caribbean; we have a unique, vibrant and very exotic culture. The increasing volume of emerging middle classes in countries such as China, South Africa, Abu Dhabi and Dubai have contributed to a growing demand for luxury clothing but there is no noted major increase in supply, therefore there is a gap in the luxury goods market that we can fill but this must be a collective effort on the part of Government and the corporate sector.
What do you wish you had known before entering the fashion industry?
I wish I had known to believe in my dream and follow my passion before rather than listening to those who didn’t see the big picture, but I look forward with great optimism and back with no regrets. Experience teaches wisdom.
What matters to you most as a fashion designer?
It is important for me to maintain my signature. I am known for my unapologetic use of colour and exclusive hand-dyed textiles. I combine ethnic elements with my modern outlook on life to celebrate the rich, exotic, luxurious Caribbean lifestyle which tourists come from far and wide to experience.
What do you believe makes a quality piece of clothing?
You can only get out what you put in so I believe that the key to a quality piece of clothing is quality fabrics. A design that suits the body type, a perfect fit and immaculate finish also impact heavily on quality.
What trends do you see being big for 2011?
The seventies are back so I see a lot of the bohemian and glamour looks returning. In addition, lace is still a big trend from last year and tassels are going to get more popular. As for colours, designers are getting bolder, no longer afraid to mix it up and make it work, so expect bold, bright colours to shine through!!!
