Words by Tami Tsansai, Photos by Kingstonstyle—
Summer is kicking off in Jamaica with a series of must-do calendar events attracting patrons from far and wide. One such venture is Pulse Caribbean’s internationally renowned, 14-year-strong Caribbean Fashion Week (CFW), the 2014 installment of which was just held last weekend at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston.
The premiere event on the Jamaican (and quite possibly, Caribbean) fashion calendar, CFW marries new style with music from top acts. (Peep our coverage of 2013’s edition here). Past years have seen performances from Kelly Rowland, Eve and Joe. This year brought Maxi Priest (straight shellin’) and, repping for Trinidad, Major Lazer member and LargeUp contributor Jillionaire. Cultural awareness was the pervasive theme for 2014, with pop culture and dancehall influences infused into numerous collections. The event also served as the launch for CFW’s new shopcaribbeanfashion.com website.
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Opening night on Saturday was dedicated to fledgling designers, the youngest of whom – 17-year-old Yvonne Jewnell of New York – won CFW’s Emerging Designer Award from among nine contestants. Her designs featured exaggerated shapes/non-traditional silhouettes and hand-painted fabrics for a bold statement on Black identity. Tobagonian designer Diamond Linton received much love for her spirited ‘Tobago Gyal’ collection of floor-length gowns with a ruffneck flair. We especially loved the Rasta bride look modeled by Grenadian model Aria Francis (who is definitely one to watch.)
There was also a head-turning assortment of bedazzled ensembles ranging from career suits to evening wear in blue, purple and green colour blends designed by fellow Tobagonian Delia Alleyne dubbed ‘Save the Buccoo Reef’. Kudos to the designer on starting a conversation about the importance of protecting one of her country’s national gems.
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Jamaican reggae/dancehall artistes Denyque and Ishawna also took to the CFW runway this year to showcase their own collections – Denyque’s swimwear line WETSwim: Summer Haze collection and Ishawna’s ‘Legendary’ lingerie line – spicing up their debuts with customary sexy sets on stage.
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Sunday saw more seasoned designers exhibiting their collections. Though she couldn’t make it herself, internationally acclaimed fashion designer Cedella Marley (daughter of reggae legend Bob Marley), debuted her Marley Apparel menswear line on the CFW runway, with sister Karen representing for the Marley clan. The collection paid homage to the legacy of her dad with tees, shorts and jeans bearing his likeness, incorporating his lyrics and also more subtle touches like a definitely a sure sell.
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Jamaica-via-Italy designer Mima Pesic got spirits soaring with her World Cup-themed collection for her Eva Blazing line, complete with footballs emblazoned on each piece and a life-sized flag. She has a knack for keeping current, and made a good choice with the athletic chic look all over the runways in Paris, New York and London for SS14, plus the World Cup currently underway.
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One of Sunday’s most impactful showings was from The Cloth by Trinidad’s Robert Young. His eye-catching designs – each a cultural statement in its own right – were accessorised by huge banana leaves and Tobagonian Ted Arthur’s Rainbow Collection of leather and canvas sandals and accents. The two have been consistently cementing their place in the fashion industry in the region and abroad for well over 20 years, and their collaboration on the CFW runway was simply magical.
Young is known for his signature linens and cottons, crisp whites and multi-coloured designs, but this year the line delivered a more youthful and very refreshing take on its signature Afrocentric look with the aid of designer Mark Eastman and a boost from Ted Arthur. Florals were added alongside 3D pull-out squares to symbolise a fusion of traditional and emerging views, expressing the themes of rebirth and the challenge of breaking the box by way of self-expression… brilliant!
For more highlights from CFW 2014, head over to Kingstonstyle.
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