Photos: Tim Aylen, and Donald Knowles

Nassau, The Bahamas - Pulling up to the Wyndham Cable Beach Resort in his 'male' Hummer (no chauffer and yes, he also owns a 'female' Hummer), fashion tycoon Peter Nygard casually greeted the waiting fans, guests and paparazzi with a warm smile as he entered the hotel to sign autographs, be escorted by a gorgeous model, and enter into the Rain Forest Theater where the Bahamas Fashion Week event, held that evening in his honour, was about to begin.

After taking his seat, the music began and the curtains opened to the Blue Skies fashion showcase, featuring Bahamian and foreign works by John Naftali of Panzai designs (NYC); Bahamian designers Raphael Munnings, Nikki Hastings, and Kristin Douglas Designs; and of course the Nygard collections.

Nygard and model in a Nygard collection dress - one of the shows most memorable pieces. Photo: Tim Aylen

The beautiful, clean-lined, elegant, some soft, some hip, and very feminine casual designs of the Nygard collections completed the show and were appreciated by the audience. Peter Nygard walked out on stage accompanied by a model in one of the most memorable pieces of the show – an elegant and beautiful flowing long layered dress with diagonal draped sleeves, which made the model look like a stunning butterfly as she glided hand-in-hand with Nygard across the stage.

The Nygard Collections. Photos: Tim Aylen Photography

The audience then watched a video chronicling the story of Peter Nygard's rags-to-riches life. Kevin Strakan, C.E.O. of Bahamas Fashion Week invited Peter Nygard to the podium to receive his award and was quoted in saying, "This award is for the person who never says no.  Who goes above and beyond when it comes to fashion, advertising and entertainment.  Peter Nygard completes the circle, putting the chain together - no broken links.  Every year from this point forward there will be a recipient of the 'Peter Nygard Fashion Award'."

The lifetime achievement award given is made from carved Bahamian wood and is in the shape of an obelisk, with ancient Mayan designs carved into it, similar to those designs seen all over Nygard’s expansive and unique property, Nygard Cay.

After 40 years in fashion, a billion dollar business with 12,000 employees, Mr. Nygard is most definitely deserving of this prestigious award. In an interview with The Bahamas Weekly Nygard stated one of his reasons for his success in women's fashion was simply, "I give women what they want". He said that designers often get side-tracked into their own likes and dislikes, but one must always think of the client, listen to the client, and give them what they want.

Peter Nygard giving his acceptance speech for his Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions in fashion at the Rain Forest Theater during the 2008 Bahamas Fashion Week. Photo: Tim Aylen

In his acceptance speech, Nygard expressed his love for The Bahamas and told the audience to follow their dreams and aspirations. Not only noted for his support of Bahamas Fashion Week, now in its 12th year, Nygard has supported, and continues to support many charities and sport figures and groups within The Bahamas. His most noted sports contribution was funding the Golden Girls in 2000 when the track team brought home the gold from the Olympics. Peter Nygard is definitely an asset to The Bahamas!

One would think after 40 years and this lifetime recognition to his contribution to fashion, Nygard would be slowing down. Not so. Next on the agenda is a new corporate office right in Time Square in New York, and a new building in Los Angeles. Peter Nygard continues to develop his property at Nygard Cay as a creative work-in-progress, keeps up with his favourite time on the volleyball court, continues to host his glamorous parties, and hopes to become involved in film very soon in the future.

There seems to be no slowing this man down as Nygard most definitely knows how to turn his dreams into reality!

The Nygard Collections. Photos: Tim Aylen Photography