GFW promises ‘fashion fusion’

Guyana Fashion Week (GFW) 2016 promises Guyanese a fashion fusion as it seeks to highlight issues such as domestic violence, people living with disabilities and Trafficking in Persons (TIP).

At a recent press conference Trinidadian creative designer and fashion designer, Richard Young noted that GFW became a biennial festival after its fifth run in 2011 but decided to take a break last year because of Guyana’s 50th independence anniversary being observed this year.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GFW Sonia Noel described her brainchild as being a “national cultural milestone…, as well as a regional creative arts festival.” She boasted that it is the longest running event of its kind in the Caribbean.

From left: Trinidadian designer Sohan Badall, Sonia Noel (fifth, left), Leon DeFrietas CEO of FMO (eighth, left) and Richard Young with models from Curacao and Trinidad.
From left: Trinidadian designer Sohan Badall, Sonia Noel (fifth, left), Leon DeFrietas CEO of FMO (eighth, left) and Richard Young with models from Curacao and Trinidad.

On board this year is Trinidadian Hair Wizard and owner and CEO of Caribbean School of Cosmetology Essenese Sambury, who said that GFW was big for her since it was here in Guyana that she broke a record styling eighty models in three nights at the last fashion week. She looks forward to a dynamic and fantastic weekend.

Sponsor, Leon DeFreitas, CEO of Face Model Organization said he was excited to be on board and to be visiting Guyana for the first time with a contingent of models from his country, Curacao; some of whom are lined up for the Caribbean’s Next Top Model.

Meantime, Managing Director of Chetsons Inshaan Ramkellawan said he has been supplying the latest top brands for over 24 years. Chetsons will be presenting for the GFW, Original Penguin (clothing, footwear and eyewear), Izod (a cologne company for men) and the Jennifer Lopez brand as well.

Present at the press conference also were Trinidadian fashion designer Sohan Badall and overseas-based models. Earlier this week the event saw a Performing Style, Leadership Workshop, Hairstylists Workshop and Designers Workshop. Last evening was the Meet and Greet in Style Cocktail Reception at Pegasus.

Remaining still are the main events; Beauty and Fashion Expo at 9 am today (Saturday) at Pegasus, The finals of ‘Most Promising Designer, Up and Coming Model’ also at Pegasus, later today at 4 pm and the Runway Show – Night One at Pegasus at 8p m with an ‘Entice the Night All White Affair’ at 11 pm to end the night at Triumph Lounge. To bring down the curtains on this week’s events are the Beauty and Fashion Expo tomorrow at 9 am at Pegasus and Runway Show – Night Two at the same venue that starts at 7 pm.

From left: Sonia Noel, Managing Director of Chetsons Inshaan Ramkellawan, Rep for Fly Jamaica Teasha Corbin, CEO of FMO Leon DeFrietas, Trinidadian Hair Stylist Essenese Sambury and Richard Young.
From left: Sonia Noel, Managing Director of Chetsons Inshaan Ramkellawan, Rep for Fly Jamaica Teasha Corbin, CEO of FMO Leon DeFrietas, Trinidadian Hair Stylist Essenese Sambury and Richard Young.

GFW wishes to acknowledge its sponsors; Fly Jamaica, Tony’s Auto Spares, Ministry of Social Protection, Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affair, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Telecommunications, Pegasus Hotel, Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry, Courts Guyana, Royal Castle, Kings Jewellery World, The New Breed, Pulse Entertainment, Star Party Rental, E-Networks, Trophy Stall, IconMedia, Queens Atlantic, Water Chris, Sleepin International Hotel, Chetsons, Denmore Factory, Caribbean International Distributors Inc, Impressions, Mings Products and Services, Church’s Chicken and the Theatre Guild.