THE INDEPENDENCE ARCH provided the backdrop for a striking display of local creativity and talent last Friday night.
Several young clothing and jewellery designers brought the Chamberlain Bridge in The City alive as the fourth issue of Pompasette Magazine was launched.
There were a few short showers but they did little to damper the spirits of the supportive crowd that congregated around the 132-foot catwalk.
While some patrons scampered for shelter, others came equipped with umbrellas to ensure they didn’t miss even one garment.
It was a well-run show that started on time and ran smoothly and it was a welcomed change for a ten-minute intermission to actually last ten minutes.
Chances are no one wanted a long break in the runway showcase anyway. The designs were fresh and the models generally enthusiastic.
From the more established designers like Alexis Campbell and the Barbados/Miami-based Ayesha Ibrahim to recent Barbados Community College graduates and virtual unknowns Taleah Prescod and Amelia Johnson, there were few boring pieces on the runway.
In fact, Prescod did an excellent job with a cohesive collection and garments that captured attention from every angle.
Ibrahim showed her ability to drape, utilize colour and play with volume while Campbell used floral prints and full, flowing silhouettes in an endearing, girlish collection.
Christina Adams of NiaChris Designs also displayed some versatility in creating the handbags which accompanied her colourful garments.
Gaynelder Grazette also gave a good showing with a number of edgy pieces for full-figured women while Jessica Reynold’s T-shirt line was one with a clear message of standing out from the crowd and aspiring to greatness.
Katrina Brathwaite closed the show with a bold black and white collection that incorporated current sheer, cut-out and cropped trends.
Also showing were EvaFresh Clothing Company and jewellery lines Icicle Enviva and Khepera’s Sun. There were also performances by Tyra and Rashad.
Publisher of Pompasette, Toni Thorne, explained that some of the new names emerged following a national call for designers.
“The criteria that we wanted to fit would’ve been young, very vibrant and up and coming designers, not yet established but really establishing a name and having their niche markets,” she explained.
The designers also had to be capable of producing their garments at least on a small scale for the Pompasette pop-up shop which took place on Saturday and an online retail space which will be launched in the new year.
Pompasette Weekend was produced in partnership with the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It was one of four youth expos being produced by Settlers West Coast Experience in conjunction with the HIV/AIDS Commission and the Commission for Pan-African Affairs.
