Patrons to this year’s Aloha Girlfriends Expo and Arts Festival were taken on a magical two-day Hawaiian fiesta, as the Concorde Experience in Christ Church was transformed over the weekend.
The occasion was an opportunity for new exhibitors to make an impact, and the familiar to cement relationships in fashion and design. There were displays from local designers Lucean Layne of Lucy Lu Creations, Jamar Odwin with his Odboih T-shirt collection, Yaisa Peter’s Browzin collection, Kofi Branch with Legende – which included both beach and casual wear, and guest designer Kiran Knight of Kiran K out of Trinidad and Tobago.
Visitors also had an opportunity to be part of a zumba experience by the Zumba Bunnies; karaoke; have manicures and pedicures done, and learn the art of blending and applying make-up.
New exhibitor, eight-year-old Paiden Clarke, was a big hit with patrons with slime art.
“It’s a stress reliever. It’s made from glue, paint and detergent, and works like a therapeutic ball, but instead you can pull it and stretch it anyway you want,” he explained.
Another first-timer was Aesthetic Dental. Representative Dr Carol Belgrave said while Girlfriends Expo was about the glitz and glamour, she was delighted to be a part of the event to educate people that “the smile is the jewel in the crown”.
“I think that dentistry being a part of Girlfriends Expo is such an educational tool. Not only would people be seeing glamour stuff and feminine products but also a smile; what they can do to get an exceptional beautiful smile,” she said.
Rhea Alleyne, from the Hangover Express, put icing on the cake for patrons with her alcohol-infused desert treats from drinks to jellos. These included jello shots, sangria, mauby and rum, vodka marshmallows and boozy brownies containingfour different alcohols.
Over at Lasage, Glenda King displayed jewellery, called Turn It Around; There’s Nothing New Under the Sun, made from recycled material.
“For this line I used soda cans, paper, magazines, newspaper, T-shirt material and cloth, plastic, PET bottles. The response is good. Barbados is still very far behind in terms of recycling and accepting things made from recyclable material, even though we have them. This particular line doesn’t do bad when I do come out, but I find Barbadians are still a bit more laid back when it comes to recycling,” she said. (RA)
