Fashion weekend closes on high note; the best was saved for last

Who knew that bringing sexy back, or at least the feel of it, would involve chains, rubber and mirrors? Or that it could also mean revival on a catwalk that was initially lacking the bold, creative feel of the first fashion weekend?

Fairy and bling: Olympia Small-Sonaram’s innocent idea at GFW 2 on Sunday night at the GCC Ground, Bourda. (Photo by Jules Gibson)
Fairy and bling: Olympia Small-Sonaram’s innocent idea at GFW 2 on Sunday night at the GCC Ground, Bourda. (Photo by Jules Gibson)

To get a sense, think prison manacles and pair them with leather shorts on male models so exposed that the focus of Guyana Fashion Weekend (GFW) 2 briefly shifted from scrutinizing the designs to male gazing or rather, a little bit of fun that had been missing up until Sunday night.

Credit Derek Moore for shaking things up with an eccentric yet playful bikini line. But it was not all him. Sonia Noel had a few things up her sleeve, bringing a kind of jungle fever to the runway with sexy animal prints paired with chic casuals and as always, she accessorized a step above the rest.

Though it came at the end of her ready-to-wear collection (and alongside Guyana’s best resident model, Melessa Payne), Noel threw in a tiger-print suitcase on wheels adding a different, eye-catching touch to the casual skirt flowing on Payne’s long legs and the mid-riff top revealing just how enviably fit she is.

As Noel’s outfits hit the catwalk on model after model, there was a clear sense of what being sexy and comfortable in the clothes on your back is about — turning a few heads yet keeping it somewhat simple. It did not have to be said, Noel’s line made it clear — you don’t have to bare it to come over as appealing. Though if you are wearing any kind of animal print enough is already stated.

The concepts on Sunday night were different and so were the designers and it appeared planned that the image of the final night would be somewhere between hot, sassy and unique. It was the most interesting night by a mile as the audience got a taste of the veterans and those seeking their breakthrough.

The new little black dress: Designer Shaundel Burch-Smith’s twist on the famous little black dress at GFW 2 on Sunday night at the GCC Ground, Bourda. (Photo by Jules Gibson)
The new little black dress: Designer Shaundel Burch-Smith’s twist on the famous little black dress at GFW 2 on Sunday night at the GCC Ground, Bourda. (Photo by Jules Gibson)

If anyone had a breakout night it was Marcia DeSantos, who shot out of nowhere with a stunning collection of linens. She called it, ‘Contour’ but it could just as easily have been named ‘Eye-candy’, connoting how beautiful it was so and just easy on the eyes.

Her colours were mostly pastels and the pieces ranged from the classy evening gown that is likely to look good on any woman no matter her frame to the more hip knee-length cocktail dresses. There were so many good pieces in the collection it was hard to pick one that stood out though a sexy, body-hugging dress that showed a playful side with its layers of flounces drew much approval.

There were hardly any where-would-I-wear-that moments and it came as no surprise when she was later named as the most promising designer of GFW by Shabeau Magazine, which had been scanning the three-day event for such a person.

The collection that would close GFW 2 was expected to be dazzling; it was that and much more. Olympia Small-Sonaram has done some strange things on the catwalk before and some even stranger things at the GFW, pulling off a lingerie line so steamy there were reports of the air-conditioning actually shutting down while her pieces were on stage last year at Buddy’s International Hotel. But she is good, and is known for some of the most daring collections unveiled on any local stage.

She closed the show on Sunday, but this time it was a tamer line and she chose to go pure; well not exactly. It was an all-white collection dubbed, ‘Mirrors and Reflections’, that testified to how much she has evolved since the last fashion weekend. She went for an edgier, groovier look and noticeably, more cloth.

This model works the runaway in a two-piece Capri-pants suit from the Sonia Noel’s animal print ready-to-wear collection at GFW 2 on Sunday night at the GCC Ground, Bourda. (Photo by Jules Gibson)
This model works the runaway in a two-piece Capri-pants suit from the Sonia Noel’s animal print ready-to-wear collection at GFW 2 on Sunday night at the GCC Ground, Bourda. (Photo by Jules Gibson)

It could not get any groovier than the disco outfits, afro-wigs and designs covered

Hot in prints: Designer Sonia Noel packages a steamy look beginning with hot pants and unbuttoned shirt at GFW 2 on Sunday night at the GCC Ground, Bourda. (Photo by Jules Gibson)
Hot in prints: Designer Sonia Noel packages a steamy look beginning with hot pants and unbuttoned shirt at GFW 2 on Sunday night at the GCC Ground, Bourda. (Photo by Jules Gibson)

in tiny pieces of mirror. She even threw in the accompanying music and a huge disco ball. The line was still trademark Small-Sonaram though with the skimpy bodysuits, plunging necklines and micro-mini dresses and skirts.

Of the few other lines deserving mention, new designer, Keisha Edwards’s ‘Infusion’ line certainly brought attitude to the stage. There were only about two pieces in the entire collection that looked ready-to-wear, but it was fun. Edwards had some of the female models parading down the catwalk looking like dominatrix before, during and after services.

Chandini Ramnarain and the ‘Aspara’ collection also created a buzz but some of the pieces were criticized for looking too much like less-interesting versions of the originals.

As for the foreign imports, it was expected that they would deliver and they did. The 2009 US men’s collection merged trendy new clothing from designers such as Perry Ellis, Hilfiger and Sean John. So what is new for next year? Classic, blue denim jeans that never go out of style, jerseys, suspenders and stylish blazers; there are also suave tailored three-piece suits.

Trinidad-based US designer Donna Dove’s ‘Tale of the Shirt’ collection was just stunning. It featured a string of mostly black and white shirts with intricate hand designs that actually look woven into the fabric. Dove was at GFW last year and judging from her collection on Sunday, she keeps getting better.