From November 5th to 8th, the Islands of the World premiered its first fashion week in Nassau and Paradise Island, Bahamas. It was a magnificent display of designers from Cuba (Analu), Fiji (Rosie Semisi), Barbados (Luna Design), Trinidad and Tobago (Van Der Vlught), St. Vincent and the Grenadines (Kimya Glasgow), and Jamaica (Desreen Waller) to name a few. They each brought forth some of their most creative pieces.
Held in the reception hall of the British Colonial Hilton Nassau Hotel and the Atlantis, a host of journalists gathered as many new, fresh faces “Naomi Campbell walked” down the runway in innovative designs from Spring ‘09. Ruffles, lace, feathers, chains and brightly colored garments adorned the models. Having spent the prior evening being welcomed by a Junkanoo band, I was completely aware of the developing inspiration. On day 4 the fashion week closed out with classic and chic looks from American designers Kenneth Cole (Humanitarian Designer Award Recipient) and Kevan Hall.
Of course the festivities couldn’t properly come to an end without a bang. Women’s designer Peter Nygard was so gracious to host an amazing evening at his home (Nygard Cay), which sat on 10 acres of land and felt like the set of an Indiana Jones film. The lavish pad offered a buffet of food, full bar, band and night club which sat on the lower level. As our week of warm Carribbean weather and Bahamian hospitality had come to an end we were already discussing next year’s show.
Mudda-sic!
www.bahamas.com
