TOBAGO Fashion Coda 7, which takes place on April 18 at the Magdalena Grand Beach and Golf Resort, Lowlands, promises to be the epitome of Caribbean couture.
At the event, dubbed The Gala, patrons will see creations from several prominent names in the local fashion industry: Claudia Pegus, Neha Karina, Zadd and Eastman, CLD, Ecliff Elie and up and coming Tobago-born designer Daniel Clarke, of the brand Fluorescent Black.
The show, which is being produced by Don Grant, CEO of DG Events, also will feature the crème de la crème in local music, art and cuisine.
Among the artistes expected to perform are Yung Bredda (Ahkenaton Lewis), Nadia Batson, Sharlan Bailey and Sherwin Winchester.
Veteran artist Martin Superville, owner of The Art Gallery in Lowlands, also will have several of his pieces on exhibit.
Creative director Richard Young said patrons can expect a spectacular fashion experience, celebrating the uniqueness and dynamism of the Caribbean.
Speaking at the launch of the event at the Magdalena on March 18, an excited Young told the audience, “I am someone who is an advocate for what I call the Caribbean aesthetic. I believe we have our individualistic self. I believe it is one of the trademarks of the world that we need to celebrate and I think we take it for granted.”
He continued, “It is not just about us approximating metropolitan ways of doing things. It is about us crafting and forging our methodology and our style. That is what I bring to the table.
“It is not just about putting clothes on a body. It is not just about people feeling they are divas and they are strutting their stuff. It is about taking art and turning it into commerce but using our methodology to do so.”
Young believes the timing of Tobago Fashion Coda 7 – in the middle of the inaugural Tobago Rhythm and Soul Festival on the Easter weekend – augurs well for the production.
“It is so wonderful that we are working inside of the fashion festival that is the Rhythm and Soul Festival because fashion and music are inextricably linked. We have a brand of music that is now engaging the world and I think our fashion needs to be also recognised.”
Young, who has been involved in the fashion industry for more than 30 years, said he never misses an opportunity to talk about the beauty and energy of Caribbean peoples and what he considers to be the boundless talent that exists in the local designing fraternity.
“Sometimes people think I am an evangelist about our feeling of who we are and our love of self. I like an immersive, experiential journey (in his productions). You are not attending the show, you are experiencing. You are being immersively included in the celebration of our style.”
He believes the soothing, picturesque ambience of the Magdalena and other like destinations allow patrons to experience the fullness of the creations.
“Part of island style is the fact that we have water surrounding our beautiful island in this part of the world. These are the islands furthest south of the archipelago in the region and we
