By Tamica Garnett

AIMED at mixing humanity with fashion, fashion designer, Sonia Noel is currently embarking on a series of interactive sessions called “Conversations and Clothing”, in which patrons are engaged in conversations on fashion and social issues.“We wanted to encourage people to interact more, network more, and talk to each other more,” Sonia said, “because, a lot of times we go to fashion shows, and we don’t even have a conversation with the person next to us. People were sharing their experiences in different things.”
The event, held some two weekends ago at Noel’s Crown Street residence, saw a number of her pieces on display, as patrons engaged in stimulating conversation, ranging from make-up to world issues.
“We’re just chatting, and not just about fashion but about life itself,” Sonia said. “We find that people are caring less for each other, and one of the objectives behind this is that we want people to care more about each other.”
The event’s opening day, which was a Friday, included a talk by model, fashion designer and make-artist Melissa Payne, while the following day’s session featured talks with Guyanese author, Marcia Surrey, who is hearing-impaired.
Said the hostess at the time: “Every day is a different conversation. Over the weekend, we’re going to be talking more about wardrobe, too: Like how to balance your wardrobe, and some pieces that you must have in your wardrobe.
“And that’s for men and women. We had models demonstrating all the different ways you could wear an outfit, from the beach to the ballroom.
“And also patrons would put on the clothing, and model the pieces for themselves as well.”
The event is part of a series of such events that will be held in Guyana, the USA and eventually across the Caribbean.
“This is the first of a series of events that I will be embarking on,” Sonia said, adding:
“From here, I go to Atlanta…. Then it’s in New Jersey, then Texas, then New York. I plan to make it like a tour… Then I’ll be going to the other Caribbean countries.
“I think it’s something that can really benefit women; and it’s not just women, because we had men here too…”
The idea for the event came from her passion to be more than just a fashion designer.
“Apart from the clothing,” she said, “that’s my platform! That’s my passion! And that’s my career! But whatever I’m doing with clothing, I want to do something that would help to benefit humanity.”
Persons attending the event will also have the opportunity to cash in on great bargains, with a special 50% discount slated. The event, wherever it goes, is open to the public, free of cost.