IT is not good enough to merely have dreams if you just let them remain as dreams. Those were the words of Bahamas-based Guyanese fashion/costume designer Tyrone Nelson.

Just 27 years old, Nelson graduated from the Charlestown Secondary and the Felix Austin Police Training College, traded in his gun and uniform after just one year and eight months of service to the Guyana Police Force, and migrated in pursuit of his dream to be in the fashion fraternity. And now he’s well on his way to being a Guyanese fashion ambassador internationally, using pins, chains, furs, paint, cords, and fabric galore to do that.

While some guys are in the proverbial “valley of decision” as regards a career, the Freeport, Bahamas-based Guyanese Nelson, who hails from Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara, is currently in Trinidad preparing for the Tobago Fashion Week, scheduled for May.

On that occasion, he will be launching a new clothing line, dubbed “Venom”, even as his clothing line “Leiu de Style”, Water in Style, will also be featured in an all-male fashion show during the Miss Port of Spain Pageant, which is being held as part of the centenary celebration of Port of Spain.
That apart, this Charlestown Secondary School graduate has got his plate crammed with events to showcase his creativity.

“I’m already booked up for numerous other shows, such as the Red Run Way Fashion Show in Trinidad; Virgin Islands Fashion Week; and the Antigua Fashion Week, where I was the featured Designer at the Launch.” He is also booked to showcase his designs in Nevis at the Fashion Week, and the list goes on.

But while some may have qualms about being a male designer in the Caribbean, Nelson is not the least bit bothered. This former Guyana Police Force rank, who graduated as Best Classroom Student of his course, went on to complete a course and graduate from the University of the West Indies’ Cave Hill campus in Barbados in the field of business management, en route to starting his ‘English Duck International’ Designs (EDI) Company in October of 2006.

Nelson’s entry into fashion started as a hanger/model in Barbados under the Ebony Model Agency. He has to his name competition titles such as Mr. Ebony Barbados and Face of Shabeau Barbados. He also struts his stuff on many runways, including the Barbados Fashion Week event.
But even as he was enjoying the limelight as a runway model, he wanted more hands-on experience, as there seemed to be a paucity of creativity reflected in what designers gave him to wear. This desire saw him officially launch his EDI Line in 2007 at the Barbados Manufacturers Expo (BMEX) with a title, “Evolution”.

“The reviews were more than I anticipated for my artistic and creative work, and so I went after and completed a Diploma in “Fashion” at the Barbados Community College.” Since then, under his EDI Designs, Nelson ‘has not looked back’. In fact, his creations have found their way on stages including the “Caribbean Fashion Week; Red Run Way Fashion Show in Trinidad & Tobago; Ester Barnes Fashion Show in Toronto, Canada; Guyana Fashion Week; Barbados Fashion Week; and Style Week Jamaica, as well as in the Bahamas.

“When you think of “futuristic”, that’s what EDI Designs is all about,” says Nelson, whose creations are as diverse as they are limitless for the more fashion-forward men and women.

“I’ve designed for individuals who want to make a fashion statement, as well as for pageants such as the Miss Guyana Talented Teen, Miss Freeport Bahamas, and Point-a-Pierre in Trinidad, among other names. In August of 2011, in the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Nelson launched his all-male clothing line, “venom”, to rave reviews, and there arose the challenge to create, design and produce carnival costumes.

In 2012 he made the bold step to create for children and adults. Naturally, many of his creations copped top prizes such as Band and Individual of the Year.

Nelson has since not stopped, and has taken his creations beyond the Caribbean borders to Miami also.

“I’m doing fairly well, but I’m not where I need to be just yet; but I’m determined to make a name for myself as a Guyanese who really rocks not just runways, but also made it into costumes for stars and movies,” he says.

Nelson is ever grateful to the Caribbean fashion icon Trinidad-born Fashion Guru and Artistic Director Richard Young, whom he says has been a guiding and influential personnel on his journey thus far.

Young has signed onto Nelson’s EDI designs clothing line as brand manager. To contact Nelson, visit: www.facebook.com/pages/Tyrone-Nelson-EDI-Designs.

By Alex Wayne