DESIGNERS from six other countries are expected to descend here in the coming week as the activities of the Guyana Fashion Week (GFW) continue after kicking off Sunday with the customary church service at the Love and Faith Assembly. Models from Guyana and Suriname will strut their stuff across the runway in the pieces of several local designers, as well as those from Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Antigua, Curaçao, Suriname, and French Guiana. Approximately 40 designers will try to wow with their designs at the two runway shows that will be held next Saturday and Sunday, November 12 and 13 respectively. And it will all go down at the Pegasus Hotel.

Many have been anticipating the launch for some time now, having their appetite whetted by sneak previews at several forgoing shows.
After the official launch in May, and the “Style Mission” fashion show in September, the public recently had another preview of some of the designs at a fashion show held at the residence of US Ambassador to Guyana. But now it’s all about to climax.
According to a press release, “The rehearsals are intensifying, and the cast and crew are hyped for the hectic week of fashion.”
The Buzz caught up with CEO of the event, veteran designer, Sonia Noel, who was optimistic of the week to come, despite the struggles that the event faced this year, not the least of which was sponsorship woes.
TOUGH YEAR
Sonia shared with us that of the seven hostings of this event since it’s 2007 inception, this year was just one of the worst that the industry has seen.
Many of the usual sponsors who come on board said this past year was one of the worst business years that they’ve experienced, and extending sponsorship at this time is just stretching it a bit too thin.
Noel says this is one of the biggest issues that will continue to keep GFW from coming anywhere close to where it needs to go.
“We’re far from that; the only way we can get close to that is if we get the funding. When we look at those other fashion shows, it’s over US$1M; that is the budget for those shows, and we’re not even close.
“The only way we can get there is with sponsorship, and this year was one of the worst in terms of sponsorship,” a disappointed Sonia admitted.
And what makes it even more sad, she said, is that in times of economic downturn, creative jobs can play a big role in helping to prop up the economy.

NOT TO WORRY
Nonetheless, as is the saying, ‘The show must go on!’ And go on it will! The week is expected to include several private and public events for those looking to be a part of the list of activities.
Each of the two Fashion Shows will be preceded by a Beauty and Fashion ‘Expo’, while there’s also a “Meet-and-Greet in Style” cocktail reception on next Friday. Other events open to public include the “Performing Style” talent show at the Theatre Guild on Wednesday; the “Entice the Night” all-white affair at Pegasus’ Aura Night Club, also set for next Saturday.
And then there are the workshops littered throughout the week. These will include a model workshop, designer workshop, a leadership workshop, and a hairstylist workshop.
Sonia herself is expected to conduct the leadership workshop, while GFW Creative Director, Richard Young will take charge of the model workshop.
Hairstylist and CEO of the Caribbean School of Cosmetology, Essence Sambury, will show you just how to get that perfect hairstyle.
Not done yet, this year’s Fashion Week has also merged with the Guyana Model Search to put on the ‘Model Image’ competition, for which the finalists are expected to be on show at “The Finals”, which would also be on next Saturday before the fashion show.
Admission to the runway shows are $3000 regular, and $4000 VIP.