WHAT ‘S ALL THE RAGE ABOUT FASHION
So we are finally here, welcome! we-fashion is the newest edition to the we-ting offering and boy are we proud. Proud of what we have accomplished in such a short time, proud of our team’s heart but more importantly proud of where we are heading.
Style is the dress of one’s personality
Let us begin by stating that personal style is just that, ‘personal’ style. It should reflect an individual’s personality, thoughts and hell even our varying moods. Given that we are all different, it follows that our personal styles will also differ. So if you live by the “fashion fades, style is forever” (Yves St. Laurent) doctrine then you are on the right track. However before you jump on the happy go lucky bandwagon, remember that there are guidelines which can help you achieve your personal style with flare. They are:
• Never follow style over fashion-Because the local fashion scene is in no way comparable to that of London or New York, looking at the latest fashion magazines, movies and yes even E News! (and paying attention to the important fashion details) should be enough to keep any fashion forward visionary ahead of the pack.
• Be confident-It may sound cliché but it is one of the MAIN ingredients to being fashionable.
• Dress for your body type.
• Always keep updating your wardrobe and by extension your personal style.
• The latter points won’t help if “yuh arm kicking and yuh breath cuffing man down” so ensure that underneath all that trendy garb you have on a good anti-perspirant deodorant.
• Be Inspired-You can draw inspiration from a different era (the 20s,50s,80s,etc), from the music you listen to, music videos you watch, your favourite celebs as well as from your favourite city even if you only travel on the net...SMILE.
• Also very important—Have fun with what you wear and be comfortable.
London designer teams up with local mag
On December 6th and 7th , London-based designer , Romero Bryan teamed up with R.A.S.H magazine to host a 2-day event aimed at boosting the local fashion industry.
At the first event, 25 –year old Bryan who has designed for Beyonce, Kate Moss and Brandy among others provided useful tips and information on a range of styling methods.
The second day featured a fashion show which showcased Bryan’s Urban collection entitled ‘Rome’ as well a host of other local designers such as Bang Bang, Mill House, Shaun Griffith Perez, Stacy Smith and K-collectibles.
CASTING CALL...THE CLAUDIA PEGUS WAY
There are not many designers...heck there are not many people period that can host a model casting call at 9pm on a Saturday night and get people to turn out in folds...not of course if you are Claudia Pegus.
On Nov 22 the design genius and her staff hosted the unorthodox model search at Cornerbar to find ‘fresh’ faces for her upcoming fashion show to highlight her all-white 2009 resort wear couture collection titled Breeze.
The models eventually selected from the 3-rounds of judging were by no means ‘fresh’ but they certainly were the fiercest of the bunch that strutted their stuff in black.
The models chosen were:
Ria Nelson
Shari Demas
Jamilah Mcclean
Naila Felice
Antineil Blackman
Kerry Ann Murphy
Jeffrey Charles
Michael Sylvester
Deon Baptiste
Russell Wilkinson
Claudia’s fashion show takes place at 6pm on December 14th at CrewsInn. The event is strictly by invitation but if you feel like begging for you and us, feel free to hit up the group on facebook.
Go to the Glam Gallery for more.
Makin’ Style…done right! 
Christopher Nathan and his team at Coco Velvet International and the Caribbean Academy of Fashion and Design have plenty to be proud of-and we are not just saying that because Anisha was the backstage coordinator-but because the two-in-one fashion event was seamless.
The event held at Fiesta Plaza, Movie Towne, featured two shows; Makin’ Style Trinidad and Tobago Fashion Collections 2008 and the grand finals of Trinidad and Tobago Fashion Model Search 2008.
The first event featured a blend of our country’s glamour and cutting edge style from designers such as Charmaine Spicer, DLR ‘D’, Jau Pierre & S Designs, Bang Bang, Jeswear Swimwear by Jillian Salandy and Dexter Jennings of Concept Studio. We-fashion’s personal favourite for the night however was Christian Boucard who presented her 2009 resort wear collection creatively titled ‘Manzanilla’.
The second affair was a culmination of six months of screening and training to discover TT’s next Top Model. This segment also featured designs most notably from Shaun Griffith Perez and Heather Jones. At the close of the show Maurice Williams was crowned TT Top Model Male, Latifah Morris won TT Top Model Female and Marissa Edwards walked away with TT Top Model Plus Size title.
Ohhhhhhhh did we mention the after party? All that can be said though is what happens at Coco Lounge stays at Coco Lounge.
Visit the Glam Gallery to get in on the action.
Taste the Rainbow…no not skittles but the event
Two things crossed the team’s mind when we strolled into Pier 1 on November 16th. The first, we hope this event don’t buss like Vice and second, we better get some damn skittles because all the talk about tasting the rainbow had us craving the pint size candy bad.
Well we are happy to report that Jam Rock Entertainment did their thing (we especially loved the makeshift runway over the lighted pool) and yes people we did in fact get our skittles.
Again for this entry we are going to shake things up a bit. For each designer featured on the night, we will tell you what comes to mind below. You can consider this WE-FASHION’s version of word…well designer association.
Celebrit TS Clothing- the streetwear designs are refreshing and hip. Special mention has to be made of the green scarf that the model wore as a top...WE LIKIE LIKED!
Mystic Hemp- the offering was all encompassing and very versatile. Points too for the children models…it added a different element to the show which was greatly appreciated.
Bang Bang- the Christmas collection sizzles, but we don’t know whose idea it was to pair that beautifully tailored black pants with those huge, ugly, grey, training sneakers. The model should have just gone barefoot because it was ALL WRONG.
Femmelle Swimsuits - one word sums it all up…HOT! ..and that goes for the models as well as the line.
Follow the rainbow on over to the gallery
BOOM.........BANG BANG !
The popular retail store recently hosted an in-store soiree to formerly celebrate their partnership with Hennessy aptly titled “Flaunt Your Taste”.
The first in a series of promotions, guests at one of the two Level 1 outlets at Trincity Mall (yes….they have 3 outlets alone in the mall) were treated to nuff’ Hennessy cocktails and a non-scripted, fun fashion show which showcased the store’s new collection.
Visit the Glam Gallery to get in on the action.
FASHION TO GO...A LUNCH TIME SERVING WITH WE...
Ok maybe we were a tad bit ambitious for one of our first endeavours for we-fashion but we were determined to capture our local fashionistas and men of swag casually on camera and so we set out one lunch time in Port of Spain to do just that.
Our journey started on Independence Square and Frederick Street to be exact (can’t cover much ground on yuh lunch hour, especially on P2) and what a disappointment. Where were all the fashionistas and men of swag? They were nowhere and we mean nowhere to be found. We thought perhaps we were in the wrong area but three days, three streets and three lunch hours later we still did not accomplish our task. Being the true ‘if life gives you a lemon make juice and sell’ kind of divas that we are however, we decided to switch gears and help TnT’s fashionably challenged.
So here are a few tips according to style guru, Micheal Kors, and if you don’t know who he is we suggest you google him:
• Get a three-way mirror - You are better off knowing what you look like coming and going.
• Tear out every pic you see of celebrities current or vintage who you think looks great (please make sure the magazine is yours and not the national libraries’) - You are guaranteed to find that these pics have something in common. That universal element is your style so work on perfecting it.
• Try to find a ‘uniform’ - This simply means think about what you always get compliments on and work it. Trust us this makes getting dressed easier but there is a catch; you must be able to discern the mamaguy from the real compliments for this to work eh but once you’ve got it down, it’s easy to add special touches.
• When it comes to those touches, do add pieces that people will remember you by - It’s easiest to do with accessories but please people stay away from the cheap looking plastic pieces, it is not a good look…NOT AT ALL!
• Focus on a colour palette that works for your skin tone - It’s easiest to experiment with new styles when they’re in that palette.
• Think about proportion - skinny jeans with an oversized jacket, a full skirt with a sleek top. It is the mix that is stylish.
• The fab handbag, the fab shoes, the fab whatever, don’t mean anything if you don’t think you’re fabulous - The simple truth is that the most important ingredient in personal style is confidence, confidence and more confidence. So if you running low on cool, two words… FAKE IT!
So there it is, we hope these seven simple tricks will serve well on our next lunch outing. Remember we-fashion will be looking.
UNIVERSAL REMOTE...Oh if only I had a little ‘control’
We know all too well what yuh thinking or wish you could do when yuh encounter fashion bliss or fashion hell…so we decided to put it to paper.
> HIT REWIND:
this usually happens when you see somebody (worse yet a friend) that you just wish you could undo their ‘hot’ unsightly mess and send them back home. Case in point:
1. People that wear clothes that don’t fit. Why is it that John and Jane public have to see yuh muffin top (girls) or yuh nipples (for those fellas that insist on wearing wifebeaters in all their flabby glory).
2. This is nothing new but please don’t wear slingbacks or any shoes that reveal the heels if yours are cracked beyond repair. Stop and cover them up if you don’t intend to invest in a much needed pedicure.
3. Don’t try to throw together an ensemble of all the latest trends. The boots, the scarf, 3 different prints and the world of accessories-TOO MUCH. The old people know what they mean when they say less is more.
> PRESS PLAY/PAUSE:
Occurs when you see somebody that looking real good. You just want to press play because they could continue all they like; they are the trendy, up-to-date, fashionable folk and you reaching for pause because you want to closely observe their style and probably copy it ah bit. Deserving of this button:
1. Box clutches and oversized totes.
2. Shoes: Flats still reign but update your wardrobe with jewel encrusted flats. And since we like boots so much, try ankle boots, they are weather appropriate and all the rave right now.
3. Graphic tees: Upgrade from the sometimes tacky slogans and try graphic smears and splashes in mix and match colours.
> SKIP TO FAST FORWARD:
This is the trendsetting bunch. Sometimes you see them and they stop you dead in your tracks, even if mentally. More importantly though they make you wonder where they got their clothes and if you dare ask, 9 out of 10 times them they say ‘away’ or New York….. ‘Thought so’. These fast forward styles are:
1. 7\8th pants or fluid dhoti pants, cropped- made in soft draping fabric.
2. Short full dirndl swishing skirts.
3. Bags/satchels-wear the strap long and let the bag rest on your hip.
Moore scores with Emphasis…BIG TIME!
Wow! Wow! Wow! fashion and creativity at its best are the words still being used to describe Petra Moore’s wild collection aptly titled ‘Safari’.
The team is going to kill me for telling this story but I will. Scooby our resident photography director (lol ok camera man) was scheduled to work at this event but I (Toya) decided to give him the night off. “Scoobs don’t worry about it, I will take a few pics with my phone. I mean really what can we possibly see that we have not already….”
Well boy was I wrong. What I and the 60 other people saw at the intimate showing at Alice Yard was simply ingenious. Everything from the décor, the designs and delivery was BEST. This woman knows what women are looking for and pulled it off beautifully by fusing bold, exotic animal prints with modern cutting edge style.
Needless, to say we were impressed so we went digging to find out more about the woman behind the designs. Not surprisingly we found out that Moore was the recipient of award for best business wear at the 2006 Making Style Fashion Week and a current fashion management student at UTT’s Caribbean Academy of Fashion and Design.
For more on Moore (forgive the pun) you can check out her one on one interview with we-fashion located under designers and be sure to log on to her website www.emphasistt.com to get the hook up on all the latest designs.
Casting Call for Charity
So we will be the first to admit that when we received an invitation from Jam Rock Entertainment to cover their open casting call on a Sunday too of all days, we did not know quite what to expect.
Sure there would be good looking ladies and the ever so buff guys but when we chatted with promoter Cathy Ann Edwards we got more than we bargained for. For starters the event is not for profit. “Okay so then what’s the point” we asked like typical Trinis knowing that for many the term ‘not for profit’ just doesn’t exist.
Well the point according to Cathy is about giving back….truly giving back… and so Jam Rock Entertainment has selected two local charities to whom proceeds from the fashion show and after party will go to.
The fashion show titled Taste the Rainbow takes place November 16th at Pier 1 and will feature designs from Bang-Bang/ 212, Mystic Hemp, Femmelle Swinsuits and Celebrit TS Clothing.
Interested persons can check upcoming events on facebook for more information or better yet call Cathy directly at 735-0457. Tell her we said you could call…who knows maybe that would secure us free comps for the event *wink wink*
A Taste of Berries….well maybe!
Okay okay at the cost of saving time for this entry we are going to take a different approach and breakdown the event according to its hits and misses and let you decide.
Hits
• Show started promptly at 6:30pm
• Audience received a bonus from guest designer: Zabocah Collection 09
• The designs from corporate to swimwear, even couture featured warm, vibrant style and colours
• Models Yolandra John, Ann Wight and ok maybe two others killed the runway.
• The free Blackberry giveaway….although we are almost positive it was staged…I mean who goes to a fashion show decked in a colourful ensemble reminiscent of a beauty pageant dress?
• The sponsors’ giveaways
• The ambience and settings
• The presentation to the Cyril Ross Nursery Home
Misses
• Presentation was way too short
• Not enough attention was paid to the little details. All I have to say is that P. Diddy, Sean Combs or whatever name he goes by now would NEVER have hanging threads, grass residue on model’s shoes or even missing buttons on clothes happen. IT JUST NEVER WOULD HAVE HAPPENED.
• Stretch marks….ENOUGH SAID!
Be sure to check out the designs in our glam gallery.
Synergy Top Model Results... No Shocker
Anybody with an iota of sense could have predicted the results of Synergy’s TV latest installment of their supermodel series. The real question remained though who would have taken second and third grabs because let’s face it, we have seen that in this competition placing in the runner’s up fold pays BIG TIME. Don’t believe me five words…La Toya Woods and Jeffrey Charles.
Well at the end of the night the results were as follows:
Female
• Winner - Pearl Joseph
• 1st runner up- Kerry-Ann Murphy
• 2nd runner up-Cennette Vasconcellos
• 3rd runner up- Shanette Mendoza
Male
• Winner- Javon Skeete
• 1st runner up- Mikhail Ragoonanan
• 2nd runner up-Ethan Agard
• 3rd runner up- Kwame Agard
All in all the production at the finale was not bad…not bad at all actually. Apart from the over advertised performance by Lil Jon, audiences were in for quite a treat with showings as well from local designers like Ecliff Elie, Dexter Jennings, DLR, Timberland, Heather Jones, Carolina’s swimwear and judge himself Peter Elias. The only critique we found and heard echoed by patrons throughout the night was of show being too long but hey I guess that’s the price you pay for beauty and well… fashion.
Check out the gallery for more pics from the big show.
