WHEN you’re blessed with artistic talent, they say that oftentimes such talent overlaps with more than one skill within the arts, and 23-year-old Clinton Duncan is proof of this theory. A makeup artist, fashion illustrator, and designer, Clinton has been quite active lately on the local scene, having most recently launched his first collection, ‘Til Death’ at Suriname

Fashion Week in September.
The title for the collection is a play on the vow taken during marriage, and depicts pieces which incorporate bridal themes with a mix of dark tones and colours.
Though it is just his first collection, Clinton says that the reception for ‘Til Death’ has been great so far, and was even good enough to allow him to close Suriname Fashion Week, which is quite a privilege in the designing world.
DREAM COME TRUE
‘Til Death’ brings to fruition one of Clinton’s longstanding dreams, having been immersed in the fashion industry as a fashion illustrator for more than nine years.
Clinton’s illustrations can be seen in the portfolios and ‘look-books’ of big local names in the fashion world like Sonia Noel, Michelle Cole, Randy Madray and Mwanza Glenn.
Fashion illustrating helps put into context the designers’ vision, Clinton says, and aids in creating an image of the target market and other key marketing aspects in the designing world.
“Illustration helps to create the fantasy. A designer imagines where they want to see their designs, and the illustrator helps to bring that to life. We show people who is the person we want to buy the clothes; what is the price range and so on,” Clinton said.

But now, with his own collection, he has taken one step further in the fashion world; something that he said took quite some doing because the time never seemed right until now.
What with offering makeup tutorials, actively participating in theatre, and studying Law at the University of Guyana, it’s a wonder that he even had the time to do this at all!
But now that the ball is rolling, Clinton plans on launching a small collection annually, from here on in. He is also working with some local retailers to have some ready-to-wear pieces available in stores soon.

TRUE CALLING
Meanwhile, he continues to practice his other passion as a makeup artist. As an active member in the theatre industry, Clinton has, over the last nine years, become quite well known for his makeup specially suited for the stage.
And while he does everyday makeup looks as well, it is really stage makeup which is his forte.
“There are so many makeup artists in Guyana; you have to find a way to differentiate. Apart from me and maybe two others, there are not many people who specialise in makeup for stage and film,” he said.
Clinton has provided his services for three consecutive National Drama Festivals; the 2012 Inter-Guiana Festival, which was hosted in Guyana that year; as well as Guyana Fashion Week for three years so far.

He credits the very active drama programme at his alma mater, Annandale Secondary, with helping him to hone his artistic talents. It was his high school years spent participating in hosting dramatic presentations, from as early as Grade Nine (Form Three), that sparked his interest in the arts.
From there, Clinton chose Art in his CSEC and CAPE examinations, and later carried his talents into the professional world.
And even when he’s not studying Law, doing makeup, illustrating or designing his own clothes, Clinton can be found modelling. And while he had previously been signed to Traits Model Management for two years, these days he admits that modelling serves simply as a hobby, and it’s clear to see why: His artistic plate is more than filled. But, he admits that he loves it, and he makes it work.