Roadtown, Tortola - On Saturday, July 25, the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall could have been mistaken for the Bryant Park tents in New York City as guests were treated to an evening of high fashion. Models strutted down the runway in stunning collections presented by an international group of designers in this highly anticipated event.
The dazzling show began with a highly stylized swimsuit collection by Aqua Couture by Roger Gary.
The Guyanese born and New York based designer showcased his collection of “high fashion” swimwear, accessorized with exquisite jewelry, evening gloves, and fur and floor length sarongs. Opening his collection, was BET’s Baldwin Hills reality star, Gerren Taylor, along with Vogue Magazine cover model, Sessilee Lopez.
Up next were beautiful cocktail and evening dresses from Per Te, the avant garde boutique based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with style guru Juan Suarez at the helm. Ford Models’ Justin Davis, and Red NYC’s Henry Watkins as well as local models Nicholas Laurac and Aaron Guishard arrived on the runway for Men Steppin Designs, a St. Thomas boutique, and the audience went wild.
Andre Atienne represented St. Thomas well with his elegant eveningwear collection. Ending the first half of the show was international brand Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons, with a collection of “rocker chick” inspired fashions fully accessorized with jewelry, eyewear, bags, and shoes. Accompanying Baby Phat was Phat Farm with male models decked-out as rock stars. Needless to say the collections were all that anyone could talk about during the well-timed intermission.
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As everyone rushed back to their seats in anticipation, the second half of the evening did not disappoint. The Caribbean’s first lady of fashion, Claudia Pegus, of Trinidad and Todago, set things in motion with a sophisticated collection of eveningwear inspired by America’s first lady Michelle Obama.
With no time to catch their breaths, the audience was introduced to Project Runway star Korto Momolu in her Caribbean debut, presenting a collection that proved once again why she was a hit on the show.
An eruption of applause greeted the B.V.I.’s own Kristin Frazier when she stepped onto the runway to take her bow after showing her collection of cleverly designed swimwear.
New York City Ocie Collins followed, sending male models down the runway in a collection dubbed “urban-funk.” Next came an edgy and dapper collection, mostly menswear and a few gorgeous womenswear pieces from New York City designer Edwing D’Angelo.
For the finale, the runway belonged to the beautifully designed and tailored collection by Cesar Gallindo shown with accessories by Baroness Elizabeth Couture Jewelry.
The collections were styled by fashion consultant Carlton Jones, assisted by Liza Montoya and Patrice DeCosta. Completing the look for each show were the skilled hands of head make-up artist Ashunta Sheriff, along with Letitia Eden of the Cayman Islands, Sheroma Hodge and Tanya Samuel from the B.V.I. Celebrity hairstylist Tippi Shorter, McKelly’s Beauty Salon and Ayanna’s House of Hair ensured that the models’ hair was runway-perfect.
A special thank you is extended to our host Joel Steingold for lending his celebrity and voice to the Summer Sizzle B.V.I. fashion show.
The Summer Sizzle BVI 2009 Platinum Sponsor was the Ministry of Education & Culture and the Gold Sponsors were B.V.I. Tourist Board and JTV. Bronze Sponsors were Motion’s Hair Products distributed by Road Town Wholesale Trading, Road Town Fast Ferry, B.V.I. Springs, Speedy’s and Bob’s Gas & Service Station. Special Thanks to Lambert Beach Resort & Estate, Coconut Tree Villas, Rush It, Inc, Dept of Trade & Consumer Affairs, Sugar Mill Hotel & Long Bay Beach Resort, ground transportation crew, volunteers.
British Virgin Islands News