Walking on Sunshine, the Better Living/Guyana Model Search/Designers Portfolio event by the Sonia Noel Foundation for Creative Arts, concluded last weekend at Stanley Ming’s development site, Isika, East Bank Essequibo, south of Parika. The environment received mixed reviews but overall the shows were well enjoyed.
Initially, the plans involved a ‘Kids Zone’ fun park, beach party, picnics and runway platform, torrents of rain on Saturday and Sunday washed away those plans. As it turned out, the ground was swampy and sand got everywhere; sand flies and ants swarmed the area. Nevertheless businesses and spectators supported the initiative.
The Better Living Exhibition 2012 kicked off with a sprawl of booths looking on to the Essequibo, engaging its patrons in demonstrative workshops, interactive counselling and proactive testing led by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and the Ministry of Health, respectively. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment was also present publicizing the ‘pick it up’ campaign.
Makeovers at LA Colors spiced up the exhibition and fashions courtesy of Sonia, swimsuits by Olympia Sonoram and the innovative leather craft of Louis Jordan added to the menu. The Digicel creative booth facilitated the nails and hair style sensation. The United Nations Population Fund Guyana participated in an outreach programme on safe sex practices. Guyana Youth Business Trust promoted services catering to youth entrepreneurship. The New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation took the opportunity to promote its new deals, discounts, products and services. Twins Pharmacy highlighted ranges of skin care products and hair maintenance lines. The Institute of Private Enterprise Development featured financing recommendations, business advice and training to small entrepreneurs and was welcomed appreciatively. The Business School found the event quite opportune. Scotiabank, a consistent partner, utilized the event to disseminate literature on plans and banking solutions. Giftland Office Max made itself felt prominently. Ridley’s and Bruster’s ice cream were among those with goodies available.
While the exhibitors were packing up their items, the Hair and Nail models were preparing their makeup and styles for the competition. There were four groups in each category, when their pieces were called a model would walk around in a circle dramatizing some sort of abuse and how their fashion sense connected with their inner woman.
The judges were American television and film actress Anna Maria Horsford, Christopher McNair of Caribbean Export,
Steven Cutting of FIT, Jean Pierre Begon, Vice President Elite International, international photographer Donn Thompson and Sonia Noel herself.
The winner of the Creative Hair competition was designer Sarita Sewett who had three models portraying a woman who was abused, one who was striving for betterment and the third, a blossomed woman who had found herself and had become an industrious and independent being. The portrayal was well applauded by spectators and the judges.
Sarita who works with Hair Tech International, said she
has been there for 3 years, but represented herself at the competition.
She said that knowing the theme for the show was anti-domestic violence and given the increase in women being abused, she formulated her designs accordingly.
Explaining the designs she came up with, Sarita said: “The first hairstyle [represented] an abused and heartbroken woman, struggling to find inner peace. Her world is dark and she feels much like a doll, very tiny, fake and someone’s property.
“The second hairstyle [showed her] is beginning to believe there is a way out, hence, the buds represent rebirth.
“The third hairstyle shows full bloom, a woman of strength who has overcome all forms of abuse. She has blossomed into a flower, bright, bold and full of confidence.”
The hair stylist said she felt proud that all of her hard work has paid off. She noted though that this was not her first win at such a competition. “My previous big win was at the Beweavable 2010 show,” she said.
The winner of the Creative Nail competition was Kristy Griffith.
As Horsford, Begon, Cutting, McNair and Noel lounged on furniture provided by Courts Guyana, nestled in a grove of plants, the main event, Glamorous, the finals of GMS/DP, began.
Nine collections from competing local designers in ingenious textures and signature hues were on show. There was purple (Natalya Thomas and Colwyn Abrams) lines dedicated to mothers, expectant mothers and Sunshine mamas (Christel Mittleholzer); mother tributes( Shameeza Subrattie); Mwanza Glenn’s ‘That blinking funeral’, with his lace story signalling the liberation of the adventurously stylish woman; Mark Adams’ ‘Force of gravity’ depicting self assured, empowered, modern women; Ismael Forrester’s ‘No boundaries’ a journey of limitless potential celebrated in a show-stopping Carnivalesque portrayal; Okeisha St Kitts’ intricate detailing in popping turquoise and orange contrasted on white poignantly entitled ‘Summer Splash’ and the victor, Andy Cummings, whose take on the Guyanese dish, Hassar curry, was actually an acclamation of things Guyanese in saffron yellow.
The model race was indeed a horse of a different colour. Thoroughbreds from Linden, Berbice, Parika, East Bank, West Coast joined the Georgetown finalists to strut down the runway in fine style, to the flow, as it were, of the Essequibo river, running alongside at Isika. Vibrant young models ranging in ages from 16 to 22 vied for the top spots in three categories -female, male and plus size women. Although celebrity judge, Anna Horsford, voiced, “Hey! dem gals too skinny to be full figure”, her vote did count to land Natalya Thomas the first place. Among the six male finalists, tattooed basketballer cum model Tyrone Hamid copped the prize. But the suspense was certainly over what seemed to be the most coveted title. In the end, 3 stunning young women captured the top three placements in the closest contest in the history of the show. Amanda Henry was awarded 2nd runner-up; Soyini Fraser missed the mark by a tad and was rewarded with the 1st runner-up spot and the unassuming yet graceful, six footer, Carles Griffith, emerged victorious. All the competitors in this leg of the show stood 5 feet 8 inches and over.
According to creative director, Richard Young, “The aim was to provide a space, an alternative venue, to channel positive messages servicing holistic lifestyle options, promoting sustainable development values, instilling national pride mandates and fostering youth empowerment action.” This was indeed achieved.
An elated Sonia Noel expressed gratitude to corporate sponsors and government ministries for their endorsement of the event. Among those on board were Digicel, Courts, Scotiabank, National Communication Network, Water Chris, Palace de Leon, Twins Pharmacy, Giftland, Mings, Dixie Lee, EZjet, ministries of Tourism, Human Services and Social Security, Health, and Natural Resources and Environment
