WE all like being rewarded when our hard work is publicly recognised and when that moment arrives we’re so proud, knowing that we deserve it. That’s exactly how Guyanese designer Sidney L. Francois feels as he continues to bask in the glow of his recent award from Karib Nation Inc. Karib Nation, Inc., incorporated in 1992 in the U.S. state of Maryland, is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the economic empowerment of small and local Caribbean-owned businesses and professionals in the Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC Metropolitan areas.

A dynamic designer, François was one among a number of Guyanese who were honoured last month at the 7th Annual Caribbean Style & Culture Awards & Fashion Showcase event at the Samuel Riggs Alumni Center, University of Maryland campus.
“Wow, with tears in my eyes I was giving God thanks and praise for His blessings and his recognition for my hard work after 16 years and I tell myself that I’m going to be unstoppable,” the 29-year-old fashion designer said.
His first major accolade since becoming a designer, Francois was surprised when he was contacted by Karib Nation and told that they had been observing his work in the Caribbean for some time and wanted him to be a part of the event.
“I did not know they were looking at my work for more than four years now, I did not know that. But I always tell myself to let my work speak for itself, and I would be unstoppable.” Though this is his first, a confident Francois says “look out because it won’t be my last.”
“I felt as though I’m being appreciated for my hard work over the 16 years I’ve been working in the fashion industry and it’s only now begun for me; and I know that the best is yet to come for Francois Designs to get out there even more. That’s my dream.”

Best Gown Prize
On a path to becoming a designer since he was 12 years old, Francois first came to the fore some years ago when his evening gown designed for the eventual 2010 Guyana Miss Universe, Tamika Henry, won the ‘Best Gown Prize’. Since then it has been a ‘domino effect’ for him as clients just keep coming, looking forward to being decked out in a one-and-only Francois original.
Most recently, Francois attired overseas-based Guyanese Hollywood actress, CCH Pounder with some of his pieces from his ‘Garden City’ collection.
“I started big when I won Miss Guyana Universe Best Dress on 2010 then talented teens. Then there was Miss Jamzone, Caribbean Hibiscus and in 2011 there was Miss Universe, also 2015 Miss Universe Winner and the list goes on. I recently did dresses for Guyanese-born Hollywood actress CCH Pounder.”
Having his design win Best Gown that auspicious night six years ago was even more memorable as there were many, he said, who did not believe he could pull it off. But thanks to pageant enthusiasts Pamela Dillon, who believed in him all the way, Francois made his mark.
“It was my first pageant. A lot of people did not believe I could have done it, but thanks to one remarkable woman Ms. Pamela Dillon, who always believed I could. She gave me that push to become the person I am today.”
BEHIND THE SCENES
Prior to 2010, Francois worked behind the scenes with a number of respectable designers, while sharpening his craft for two years at the E. R. Burrowes School of Art.
It was really as a young boy just out of primary school that Francois realised that fashion designing was his calling. And he always wanted to make his mark on the world and he believes that by being a fashion designer he is doing just that.
“At age 12 after doing ‘Common Entrance’ (National Grade Six Assessment) that’s when I knew I wanted to become a fashion designer. I realised that I want to become a fashion designer when I started to feel very artistic at a young age,” Francois recalled.
“I always grew up in my life hearing that you must be somebody in society to make a significant impact, to contribute to the world and its environment in a good way and I always said to myself I’m going to be a fashion designer.”
Francois is all about doing what he loves. “I love after my sketch bringing it into reality, and knowing my client feels very happy about my designs, how it fits them, how it looks, because that’s the most important thing to me as a fashion designer. Because in the end those clients even further (would) recommend clients to me, and I love to be recommended.”
As for the challenges that come with the industry, Francois says he refuses to focus on that as he prefers to “leave bitterness in someone else’s cup.”
But that’s not to say that the designer has been without his fair share of challenges. Francois recalls how even as supportive as his family was when he became a fashion designer, many of them advised him to develop his art outside of Guyana. However, he believed he had the skills to make it right at home, and has continued to prove that he can.
“The road was not easy, but my family have been very supportive when it comes to my career in terms of wanting to become a fashion designer, but they used to say you will not make money here in Guyana – you have to go somewhere else and all these things, but I believe in good marketing and good strategies you would do what you have to do and it takes one to be outstanding for the rest to follow and that’s what I’ve always lived for.”
Francois is currently out promoting his latest collection, the ‘Garden City,’ which he did specially for Guyana’s 50th Jubilee Independence Anniversary. The collection has already been on display at several fashion shows, including the Red Cross Tea and Fashion Show at State House in February and the Jubilee Fashion Extravaganza Fashion.
He is currently focusing on completing the pieces that he will be displaying at this year’s Guyana Fashion Week, even as he continues to impress clients with his work.