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From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Tyrina Talks Fashion
It seems like everyone crawls out of the woodwork for the International Cultural Fair. It’s one of the events I look forward to every year largely because it is one of the few events where all Bahamians despite their nationality or cultural background come out to partake in the festivities. A welcome opportunity to witness just how diverse we are and marvel at the myriad of nationalities who make their home on our beautiful shores. This year, I was even more eager to attend given that the festivities included the UNESCO Designer Fashion Show. Coordinated by Mode Îlse Ltd, organizers of the Islands of the World Fashion Week – all those hungry for a little local fashion escaped the rainy weather under the UNESCO Pavilion. Five designers showed under the tent, including four Bahamian designers, along with the featured international designer from Indonesia. A selection of national costumes from the Miss Universe Pageant were also shown at the culmination of the show. The common denominator among the local designer fashions was the use of Bahamian batik textiles. Local designers worked with Androsia and Bahama Hand Prints fabrics to create everything from wedding gowns to swimsuits. The overwhelming trends at the show were asymmetrical necklines, floral appliqués, bustier bodices and hats. Designers created a variety of looks, from those wearable on the most important day of your life, to something suitable for a casual Sunday brunch. Read on for a synopsis of the stand-out looks from the show.
Sabrina Francis :: Se’B Fashions The fashion show began with looks from Se’B Fashions by Sabrina Francis. Bold, primary colors and over the top hats characterized the first few looks. The first look was an asymmetrical neckline mini dress with a removable train embellished with turquoise floral appliqués affixed to the front of the dress. However I couldn’t keep my eyes off of the flapper inspired lace and feather headdress that accompanied the look. White lace and turquoise feathers with floral details in the back drew the eye in and stole the show from the dress. A patchwork Androsia two-piece ensemble followed close by. The look consisted of an asymmetrical one shoulder top embellished with floral appliqués along the shoulder, tie-waist detail and matching patchwork pencil skirt with ruffle hem. Colorful yet modern, the look was fun and flattering. Satisfying, yet in congruent from the rest of the looks was a brown and beige ankle length dress made from Bahama Hand Prints cotton fabric. Constructed from an earthy print of palm fronds, the cut-out dress featured short sleeves, a tie waist and voluminous full skirt - noticeably less bold and extravagant than the other looks from the designer.
Rachel Turnquest-Garcia :: Rachel’s Boutique Here again, hats and asymmetrical necklines were featured in every look. Rachel’s hats were more traditionally inspired yet just as extravagant as those showed by Sabrina Francis. Her first look featured a “mad-hatter” style sky blue hat with three oversized flowers adorning the crown of the hat. The look it accompanied was just as ostentatious. A one shouldered top with long, wide, tiered sleeves and a matching pant with one long tiered leg and one shorter cut-off leg. The looks that followed were more wearable. The standout look was a pale pink and white hibiscus print wedding gown. Strapless, with a ruched bodice, deep V back and train, the cotton gown was beautiful but lacked movement. Delicate beach inspired accessories including a seashell and pearl headpiece and seashell earrings completed the look.
Basheva Eve :: La Maison de Besh Accessorized by Harl Taylor BAG Hands down the best collection of the show. Basheva Eve’s collection was accessorized with bags from the Harl Taylor BAG line. The show began with a slew of two-piece swimsuits. The colors were like Bahamian skittles, yellow, turquoise, orange and fuchsia shimmying down the runway. From bandeau tops, halter tops, boy shorts and even a one piece – everything featured lace-up details. However it was the simple yet sophisticated day dresses that caught my eye. Straying a little from the asymmetrical silhouettes shown by the previous designers, Basheva’s shift dresses were all strapless save two sleeveless numbers. My favorite was a pale pink strapless, sweetheart neckline fitted cocktail length dress with a ruffle hem paired with a beautiful heavily beaded Harl Taylor bag. Another standout look was a natural colored straw plait bustier top with lace up back paired with an orange Androsia print a-line skirt. Though Basheva showed the most looks, hers was the most cohesive collection of the show.
Brynda Knowles :: Brynda’s Haute Couture Brynda showed only one look at the show. A three piece ensemble constructed of Androsia fabric in a bold marigold hue similar to Pantone’s 2009 color of the year – Mimosa. The look consisted of a knot front bandeau top paired with high waisted, side slit wide leg pants and a quilted, three quarter sleeve coat.
R. Bambam Sumardiyono :: Indonesia The music changed from upbeat and tropical to Asian inspired and mysterious. Guest designer R. Bambam Sumardiyono from Indonesia was the finale and kept it simple. Each of his looks consisted of three main components. Firstly a light, ethereal scarf in a dark, intricate print draped across the shoulders. Secondly another scarf of the same print was used to create matching wrap skirts of varying lengths. Thirdly bustier bodices cropped up again, with several worn under the draped scarf to pull together Bambam’s looks. The show was capped off with a selection of national costumes from the Miss Universe pageant held this August. Showcased were costumes representing the countries Australia, Bolivia, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, and Singapore.
Tyrina Neely
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