Says...“I am heartbroken”
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - LONDON Fashion Week is currently underway in Europe but unfortunately for 30-year-old Kittitian fashion designer Shannen Azuredee, her hopes to be a part of the event did not materialise because she did not get sponsorship.
Earlier this month, Azuredee, who is the creator of the female clothing line Poetic Rhythm, had called on potential sponsors to kindly make good on her request for assistance in helping with the launch of her Resort 14 collection at the London Fashion Week 2013, which kicked off on Friday (Sept. 13) and is expected to conclude on today (Sept. 17) at the Radisson Blu Portmore Hotel.
Azuredee is based in New York City in the US but is currently in the United States Virgin Islands on St. Thomas.
Originally, she hails from Baker’s Corner in Basseterre.
In a previous interview with SKNVibes, she expressed that it is a “great honour” to have been accepted as one of the featured designers and had touched on why the opportunity to participate in the event was so important on a nationalistic level, as she would have been the only featured designer from St. Kitts-Nevis.
In a follow-up interview, Azuredee gave details as to why she did not get the chance to participate in the London Fashion Week, describing it as quite unfortunate.
“I was unable to acquire sponsorships and was left with no choice but to decline the acceptance and withdraw from the show and contest. It's quite unfortunate and I am heartbroken, but I am still honoured to have been accepted. Had I won it, definitely it would've lead to greater avenues. However, I can't dwell on what's lost. No matter what, it has been a great year. My brand is out there and so is St. Kitts.”
When asked what plans are in store for the launching of her new designs now that she was unable to do so at the London Fashion Week, Azuredee said, “Not sure. I'm thinking it might just be the unseen collection. I'm generally a hands-on do-it-yourself type of person, so deciding to obtain help was in fact a big deal”.
While commenting on what that collection is about, Azuredee sahe had fun creating it.
“The designs would've been from my Spring/Summer 2014 collection. It's a collection of fun and merriment, bright colours and bold prints. I had so much fun creating this collection.”
As understood, originally, Azuredee was contacted by the show's producer to be highlighted at the London Fashion Week 2013 after seeing her previous collection called Resort at the Summer Sizzle in Tortola earlier this year.
Similarly, this year, the young designer’s work has also been featured in other internationally-recognised shows such as New York Fashion Week in February, Summer Sizzle (British Virgin Islands) and Mercedes Benz Swim Week (Florida) in July.
