BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - IT was a celebration, it was a statement of everlasting love for designing, and after 15 years of being the leading design house in the Federation, Brown Sugar Designs still makes everyone say ‘wow’.
Judith Rawlins of Brown Sugar Designs Inc. presented her ‘Sweet Legacy’ Fashion Show on Sunday evening (Dec. 13) at the St. Kitts Marriott Ballroom.
Along with Brown Sugar, designs from Sanara Bussue and Sandra Weeks, both of St. Kitts, were also showcased. Guest Designer out of Trinidad and Tobago, Robert Young, also presented his signature ‘The Cloth’ line.
For the opening of the event, models came out attired as past sugar workers in long dresses and head-wraps depicting slaves in a routine that also included local dance group Vivace. They then made their way through the audience distributing candy from straw baskets.
Following the opening was the first presented line dubbed ‘Home Grown’. This line used a lot of natural fabrics and colours, with a play on beige, where the designer made it as attractive and exciting as possible.
Local designer Sandra Weekes presented her Island Girl line of soft batik-like designs that were perfect for the cool Caribbean climate. Sanara Busse of Savelle Designs, known for her trendy up to the time designs, did not disappoint with her sexy dresses that complemented each model’s body.
The next presented line was one that everyone has grown to know and love from designer Rawlins. It was her ‘Brown Sugar Classics’, which is basically the type of clothing she first began designing. There were flowing skirts, dresses and pant suits, all mainly made from linen materials.
The designer also added fun bright colours that added a new energy to the line. Making a special appearance onstage were contestants of the UDC Miss Talented Teen Pageant and National Carnival Queen Pageant.
This was another of the many scheduled public appearances for them as part of their journey in vying for the crowns. Over the years, Brown Sugar Designs has evolved into an exciting line of eye-catching formal wear, which made the fashion house another store option for those who are looking for ball gowns.
Soft, silky, ankle length dresses flowed across the stage along with short elegant ones that hug the body. Next onstage was guest designer Young, who showcased his ‘The Cloth’ line for the first time in St. Kitts. With over 23 years of experience in the business, Young’s latest design (The Cloth) is one of the most recognisable styles in the region.
He presented a line with bold colours, a section of beige and brown dresses, appliqués fused with colour and contrast and other designs with distinct aesthetic interpretations of what fashion is to him.
He introduced the people to a new world of designing; one only seen at high fashion Caribbean shows such as Caribbean Fashion Week in Jamaica. And his designs left some in the audience stunned at what could be the new possibilities of fashion on St. Kitts.
Then came the end to the fashion event with a tribute to the Past and Present, with designs made of black and white colours. This line presented various styles in black and white, long dresses and mini outfits; a line that definitely kept everyone interested in seeing what would be next.
During the fashion show and parade of designs onstage by various models of St. Kitts and Nevis, a domino game was in progress at the side of the stage, which depicted how Rawlins could incorporate cultures into her fashion shows.
Her company’s motto, “Brown Sugar, not just fashion, it’s an identity”, holds true to the designer’s vision to have a line that visually captures the image and character of people.
“And the company's mission is to represent and be recognised with distinction as a product of St. Kitts and the Caribbean... an identity,” Rawlins stated.
The final performance of the night saw the models dressed in the black and white outfits dancing to Natalie Cole’s ‘This will be’, with some getting the steps wrong but still having fun, laughing and moving because it was indeed a celebration and a statement that Brown Sugar Designs lives on.
Brown Sugar Designs will be an everlasting love; it will continue to be a true representation of Kittitian and Nevisian culture.
