By Alicia Roache, Staff ReporterAS THE curtains were drawn on Caribbean Fashionweek 2004, a few designers distinguished themselves among the best of the region.
From Show 1 on Friday, Suriname's Atelier Dore presented a superb collection of jewellery. Large chunks of metal were intricately carved and beset with precious stones. Dore's lengthy presentation, of consistently high quality jewellery, suggested that the construction and quality of the jewels was no accident.
Dawn Bacchus' hand-painted garments, loosely constructed and elegantly styled, featured uneven hemlines, layers and multi-tonal colours. Light cotton dresses had satin piping along the layered edges. Flirty and fun, the Dawn Bacchus collection exemplified, as did the Heather Jones Collection, Caribbean elegance. Both Trinidadian designers utilised paints, however, Jones' collection was made using more chiffon and floral details.
Barbadian designer Wayne Smith presented his very earthy Island Spice designs. Unconventionality and wearability are the dominant features of Island Spice. Crocheted cream tops that sometimes flowed the length of flared burlap skirts were at once beautiful and indigenous. The burlap and linen skirts were dyed in spicy burnt orange, and rich green and brown hues.
Jamaica's Lorraine Green, through her designs Loran V showed just how many ways a bathing suit can be cut, tied and accessorised. Barry Moncrieffe, also from Jamaica, utilised cotton, linen, silk and georgette, but maintained his designs in black and white with a hint of red. Outfits were formal and had a classic look.
Famed Trinidadian designer Esau Meiling did not disappoint with her self-titled collection. Also reliant on natural fabrics, Meiling utilised linen and burlap to create a line worthy of praise. Meticulous detail was evident in the finished product, as was wearability and classic charm. Her collection entailed linen mini-skirts, layered and flared, which were paired with white or cream tops, or jackets. The pants, also linen were meticulously constructed with banded waistlines and white beads that ran the seam or on the leg of the pants. She received a standing ovation for her efforts.
What Meiling was for the women, Jamaica's Bill Edwards was for the men. Meticulous detail and wearability were also the hallmark of his self-titled line. He also relied heavily on natural fabrics, linen and cotton. Strips of colour were infused into his designs and were remarkably precise and structured.
Mutamba displayed versatility with their 2004 collection. Leather, cotton and sheer fabrics were utilised but maintained the ethnicity for which Mutamba is noted. Bright, flirty colours, handpainted dresses, uneven hemlines and leather halters were all thrown into the eclectic mix that was Mutamba.
Also of Jamaica, Pat Wright's Wright Style was amazing. The designer resurrected bandanna from the fashion grave where it had long been buried, and transformed the once outdated fabric into dignified, exquisite designs. Red and white bandanna was mixed with linen, lace and cotton. The fabric's versatility and the designer's creativity were exercised in the creation of matching accessories, hats, handbags and shoes for each outfit.
Designers Marc McDermoth and Carl Williams showed why Uzuri is one of the most recognised names in fashion in Jamaica with a line that represents 'glamour and beauty'. Feathers, sequins, beads and chrystals adorned dresses, gowns and pants and along with stylish designs suggested opulence. From the pink, lace strapless gown to the final dramatic and elaborate bridal ensemble each piece showcased the designers' ability to create memorable formal wear.
Other designers captured the imagination and sparked the interest of the audience at Fashionweek. They, too, deserve honourable mention. Guest designer Jessica Ogden impressed, as did celebrated designers Simon Foster and Peter Bowen of Simon/Peter. Other Caribbean designers who impressed were, from Trinidad and Tobago Zadd and Eastman; Guyana's Roger Gary; Jamaica's Biggy and Nefertari, Avark and Genesis Designs from Barbados.
