SONIA Noel is traversing the Caribbean at all the headliner fashion shows from her Barbados home.

These days they are mistaking her for a Bajan.

It is true to say that since she adopted Barbados as her home-base, her work has catapulted her to new heights, but she is certainly not letting go of her real home – Guyana.

In fact, Sonia is in downtown Georgetown preparing for probably her biggest gig yet, and with this she intends to make further headlines for herself and for Guyana.

Her plans to stage the first ever Guyana Fashion Weekend is meeting with nothing but hurrahs from the highest level here.

President Bharrat Jagdeo has come on board as patron of the event, and Sonia could not hope for more.

To boot, Minister of Tourism Manniram Prashad, and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, are also backing the event.

The mega event billed for August 24-26, with the first day including a launch party at Cara Lodge, followed by two nights of runway extravagance at Buddy’s International Hotel.

Sonia knows a lot is weighing on her for the event to be successful.

“I travel around the Caribbean, and when people hear I am from Guyana, they are surprised. It’s almost like people don’t expect anything good coming out of Guyana. I have to prove that this is not so,” Sonia says.

For maximum publicity, Sonia has received commitments from leading regional televisions stations and magazines to cover the event. These include She Caribbean, Shabeau, Posh, Caribbean Life, and Circuit. Further afield, she has also roped in Glamour and Essence magazines.

Designers will come from Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and New York. These will add to a bevy of local designers, including those who would be hitting the fashion ramp for the first time.
Sonia herself, who has won acclaim for her label “Mariska’s Designs”, catering for men, women and children, along with accessories , will be launching a completely new line.

But she is not letting any secrets out.

The event will be accompanied by two workshops , for models and designers, to be conducted by international trainers.

“What I’m planning is a world class event,” Sonia posits, and she is determined to make it happen. “It will make us all proud”.

We wish her well.

Source

Dacia Blackmore models a design in the casual line of designer Sharon Fraites which goes on show at Guyana Fashion Weekend in August.

Dacia Blackmore a design in the crochet line of Vashti Harlequin.

Reah Austin models a lingerie line by debutants Nadine and Nikisha Telford of Climax Designs.

Reah Austin models a design in the crochet line of Vashti Harlequin.

Very nice...like the first one ...for boating..

It is nice to know that thses events are happening. Congratulations are in order!!