SEVERAL Surinamese faces were seen during the Guyana Fashion Week which took place recently. Our country was represented by designers Warda Marica and Rem-Ko, as well as by Surinamese catwalk models, Ferdinand Nahar and Adelio Boldewijn.

Absorbed like a sponge
Ferdinand has been modeling for several years; seven years to be exact. And for the last three years, he has worked as a catwalk model. During the Guyana Fashion Week, he walked for Tyrone Nelson, a designer from the Bahamas, as well as for Neilson Nurse and Gift Line, both from Guyana itself.
It was a very special week, with the models gaining a lot of experience. “It was very instructive. I really learned a lot about what goes into an event like that, and what is expected of you as a model,” Nahar said, adding:
“You should be on time for the fitting and makeup, but you should also have the right attitude. I absorbed everything like a sponge, so that I can be a better model. It was a very motivating and inspiring weekend.”

Jewellery
Jewellery designer, Warda Marica is very satisfied with his participation at GFW. “It is the first show where I’ve immediately sold jewellery. I still get compliments on the presentation and the jewellery itself; that feels good. We were very well received, especially since we arrived a day earlier, and the news quickly spread that the ‘Suriname representatives were inside!’”

Rem-Ko
Rem-ko also looks back at GWF with a good feeling. “I did not have the opportunity to sell immediately,” he said. “My colleague, Warda, had that, fortunately.
“But for me, it was just good to get involved. There are several pictures of my clothing collection which now move around the world. In addition, I was very pleased with the models that I got, as well as the cooperation I got from the organizers. My work was also featured in The Wall Street Journal!”

Mistakes
According to Ferdinand, the GFW was very well organized, but there were a few minor flaws. “Well, actually, it’s not worth mentioning them, but they started a few times too late. For example, when it rained on Saturday, we continued, because, as the saying goes: The show must go on!”
Warda felt that the programme was too long. “People stopped paying attention at 12:00hrs when we still had to go to four. But apart from that, it was very professional.”

(Translations by Jimmy Roos)

(Dagblad Suriname, November 2, 2013)