WITH Duo Collection, Guyanese get the best of both worlds: Unique designs birthed from two designers from two different generations and two different countries but with the same passion for fashion. Established by 25-year-old Natalya Thomas and 39-year-old Nadia Thomas-Winter, Duo Collection seeks to bring a different type of designing to Guyana, by infusing their creativity into the very prints from which they later sew their designs. “I believe Guyanese designers are very creative and talented; many of them latch on to the regular rules of fashion, so the industry hasn’t evolved much in that regard,” Natalya told The Buzz.
“So, we went from textile and hand painting, to creating our own prints, which people have so far responded well to.”

By that she means Duo Collection’s most recent line, ‘United and Free’, which was launched for the Jubilee Fashion Show at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre as part of the Jubilee Festival.
The line consists of designs made from prints decorated with Monuments of Guyana, as well as significant buildings, Guyana’s Flora and Fauna and other local effects. “We wanted to pay tribute to Guyana, but to move away from just using the colours of the flag, because most persons tended to lean towards that,” Natalya said.
FROM SCRATCH
The two women started their designing from scratch by choosing the exact layout of the prints, having an external company print them on to the chosen fabric, then proceeding to create their awe-inspiring pieces which include dresses, skirts and bathing suits.
Soon, the team will also launch a collection of shoes under the same line.

“I think that by designing our clothes from the very fabrics we used, in a way that isn’t tie-dye or hand paint, has opened new opportunities. Designers may look at it as a challenge, but we are happy to be the first so that others can follow,” Natalya said. “We are trying to push fashion in a different direction, especially when it comes to manufacturing and producing original stuff. Bigger brands are internationally recognised because they stand out; so we want to take Duo Collection in a direction where we can put Guyana on the map.”
Interestingly enough, the two women have thus far done most of the work, despite being located in two separate countries. Nadia, who is also Natalya’s aunt and has been a designer for over 10 years, lives in the British Virgin Islands.
Thanks to the provisions of the Internet though, they are able to communicate, and bring their vision to life, even while being thousands of miles apart.
“We communicate every day for at least an hour via Whatsapp, Skype or any medium available to us, so we can put things together, and make our preparations,” Natalya said.
Like many other young designers, Natalya’s stint in the fashion industry is not as long as the more prominent names, but with partnership and support from Nadia, and with her own savvy and determination, she has accomplished much.
The young fashionista won Model Search in 2012, but was not selected for the Designer Portfolio, though she competed in that category as well.
“I was very disappointed, because I put a lot of work into my designs, but I admit that I wasn’t as ready as I should have been,” Natalya said.
ALWAYS SKETCHING
Growing up, Natalya was always sketching. And when she got older, it was her decision to purchase a sewing machine to teach herself how to sew that pushed her to making clothing for her mother, relatives and ‘family-friends’ who quickly realised she had talent.

After posting her work on Facebook, Nadia, too, noticed her niece’s talent, and quickly partnered with her to form Duo Collections. In 2014, the pair staged their first fashion show at the Princess Hotel at Providence, and it received rave reviews.
Though it has only been two years, ‘United and Free’ is the fourth line that Duo Collections has since launched.
Soon, the pair hopes to sell their clothing, which they believe are as good as readymade ones, to stores in Guyana and the British Virgin Islands.
“For ‘United and Free’, we were trying to actually create different beautiful aspects of Guyana, and make it into something wearable, not just for our Golden Jubilee, but so that they can be worn comfortably on a daily basis and feel beautiful,” Natalya said.