BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – TALENTED Kittitian designer Andre Edwards of Reinkarnation Designs will be participating in a regional fashion event aimed at exposing young designers.
Edwards has been given the opportunity to showcase his new Spring Line 2010 at the Heather Jones Designs International (HJDI) event, which is a new found element that introduces up-coming talented designers to the fashion industry based in Trinidad.
The event will be held at Club Zen on Saturday, October 3.
Edwards, who is a graduate of the Miami International University of Art and Design, said that it was during his time at college when he met and befriended Jones’ daughter, who is also a designer, and was the one who invited him to the event.
Edwards said he is very excited to be showcasing his line, as he is looking forward to the exposure it would receive, and that more people would get to know his signature style.
“My signature style is a lot of different takes of sexy and elegant in a tasteful way. I often source a lot of inspiration around the world. In some collections I like to do prints; in others I like solid colours, silk dupioni…a nice fresh feel to elegant, sexy and sensual,” he said.
He said the Spring Line 2010 was inspired by the sophisticated travellers, classy, timeless and those individuals with the 1960’s swagger.
“We think about Caribbean style but there’s also a niche with Caribbean reminisces, where, you get inspiration from these classy travellers with their 60’s inspired persona.
“I like my colour block, but I like using two different fabrics on one-piece. I would have a chiffon and still a silk dupioni in the same piece, but the same colour, and I’m going to give emphasis on the collars, because I always remember the travellers with these interesting collars with tie scarf in front,” he said.
Edwards said he is going to use those inspirations and put his own twist to them, where the result would be stuff that could go from wearing at a cocktail party and even to walking on the street to the club.
“And that’s the direction I’m going with it,” he said.
The 23-year-old has also showcased his designs in New York and at local fashion shows in St. Kitts and Nevis, including Cane Juice launch, Vivid Designs and St. Kitts Fashion Weekend.
Edwards said that following the event in Trinidad he would be moving to Philadelphia, where he also plans to set up shop in New York. He declared that he is also looking at participating in some urban shows there to promote his line.
“I’ve already done a couple shows in New York, so I kind of got my foot in the door already and I’m looking forward to that. I’m excited about it and I know it’ll be a positive move,” he said.
HJDI understands that in order to succeed, a business must identify its target market and serve its needs accordingly. As a fashion promotion campaign, HJDI understands that it needs to target the consumer or user with appropriate campaigns, programmes, materials and events that would generate positive end result and increase traffic for revenue.
The event aims to target persons between the age of 18-45, those who have a passion for fashion and people who know what they want, how they want it and when they want it.
HJDI will also institute a target public relations and marketing programme, created and executed by (Pic’s International), to help educate the audiences (residents and tourists via the consumers and trade media) about its service, events and friendly, efficient and knowledgeable staff.
This is the first time the event is being held and the organisers are hoping to make it an annual one.
