For the celebration of the 33rd Independence of Belize, its National Institute of Culture and History decided to incorporate a fashion and style segment into the annual showcase. 

Caribbean Fashion Icon, Sonia Noel of Guyana, was invited to the premiere event as the Guest Designer, and according to many media officials, she did not disappoint. During CARIFESTA, Ms. Diane Haylock, President of the institute, was formally introduced to Ms. Noel and was very impressed with her work and contribution to Caribbean Fashion and the Creative Industry in general.
“Celebration ‘N Style” was a new event of the Belize September Celebrations Calendar 2014. It involved a talk shop in the day with aspiring young Belize fashion designers, led by renowned Guyanese designer Sonia Noel; and a fashion show in the evening in the gardens of the Government House – House of Culture.
“It was a fabulous show with four Belizean designers and Ms. Noel rounding out the show with her unique Caribbean flair and flavour. I anticipate Celebration N Style becoming an annual event in Belize. September is a month in which two Belize National Days are commemorated, one being Independence Day on the 21st September,” Ms. Diane Haylock said.
Friday last the House of Culture played host to the Fashion Showcase, in a beautiful garden setting. Veteran designer Dana Brown, as well as Julie McCord, Maureen Navarette, and Babriella Barrera all from Belize displayed their pieces to a very receptive audience. But it was Ms Noel, who once again stole the show. Closing the showcase, displaying pieces from her First Resort collection, Noel proved why she is regarded as one of the region’s best. Noel recalls that the response from the other designers and the public was nothing short of amazing. And it wasn’t just ‘lip service,’ many patrons purchased and ordered pieces as the show was over. On one of the many TV and Radio programmes she was invited to; host of the popular morning show, ‘Open Your Eyes’, William Neal, commented “OMG, the creativity and originality in your work…we have never seen anything like it.”
On the other part of the visit, the Sonia Noel Foundation for the Creative Arts collaborated with the National Institute of Culture and History of Belize, to host a Fashion Talk Shop as part of the official programme where Noel functioned as facilitator. There were interactive sessions with the young designers on design and development with specific references to culture, story- telling, traditional techniques and socio-historical linkage that influence their individual style concept. The participants were very receptive and overjoyed to be part of the informative talk shop on fashion in the Caribbean. Noel responded that “there is lots of talent here in Belize and I feel overwhelmed to share my knowledge and to be able to contribute to the wider fashion Industry in the region.” Noel also challenged Belizeans to support local fashion and make it a duty to add a local designer piece to their wardrobe. The Sonia Noel Foundation for the Creative Arts is dedicated to facilitating and creating opportunities for young people to display and realise their creative potential, while contributing to the awareness and eradication of social issues. The last venture was a fund raiser for the Guyana Sickle Cell Association dubbed Style Mission.
The new Caribbean magazine-Making Style was also introduced to Belize. On her trip to Belize, Noel said: “It was an honour to be invited by the Cultural Department for such an important occasion. I feel so much love from officials, local designers, and the public, and I have a distinct feeling that this will be the first of many trips, God’s willing.”
Ms. Noel attended many official functions and Xunantunich Mayan Ruins while in Belize.