I AM celebrating 20 years in the fashion industry and it is a blessing being able to reach this juncture which was no smooth sailing. It took a combination of navigational skills to out- manoeuvre hurdles and a resilience to literally row my own boat when the waters got rough.
I believe God guided my path and helped me find my true purpose.

Small town girl with a big dream who believed it was possible. That dream started in my hometown Bartica up the Essequibo River.

My Home Economics teacher in secondary school, Mynra Quamina Lee, told me years later that when I stood up in her class and told her I wanted to be a designer, she thought that I could only be dreaming coming from a mining town. She also confessed that she thought I was brave because it was her secret desire to be a designer but did not think it was possible.
She actually uses my story to inspire her students today.

We did not have a lot of material things growing up in Bartica but we had so much love for each other and mom taught us to be proud of ourselves because we had value.
I can remember one December standing under my grandma’s house in Third Avenue, admiring the kids going to the school Christmas party. I wanted to go but could not because I did not have a suitable dress. I always tried to be positive and told to myself that one day I would have many dresses to choose from.
I am a dreamer and it is okay to dream but you need to have a plan to make those dreams realities.

What are you dreaming of today?
Imagine this little red girl in a primary school teaching the kids how to make their dolls’ clothing out of newspaper and enjoying it.
My mom was a seamstress and she always gave me pieces of scraps to do my own thing.

It was unfortunate when mom and dad separated and we decided to go back to grandma in Bartica so he sold her machine. What kind of man would do such an awful thing to his family?
She could not replace it because cash was scarce. I enjoyed visiting my fashionista aunt Corin who lived on Mongrippa Hill. Her wardrobe had so much cool stuff and she would give me outfits she did not want and I would alter them for myself.

My aunt Corin certainly influenced my sense of style. We all have stories of people who would have impacted our lives.
Another very sophisticated lady who influenced my life journey was Aunt Dandy. This woman was sooooooooooo classy. Her seamstress, Gladys Ramoutar, was our neighbour and every time she visited, she always looked fashionable with her broad rimmed hats and flowing skirts.

Later in life she became a second mom to me. She taught me to make pastries and cakes to sell so that I could have helped my mom financially to take care of my brothers and sister.
I will never forget her kindness to me and my family. Decades later she is still a part my life and I love her dearly. Growing up in a small village, now a town, taught me many valuable lessons that contributed to the woman I am today. That woman was the first Caribbean Designer to be invited to the prestigious Brown University in Rhode Island to present on Caribbean Fashion. When I received the invitation by email I was so surprised and elated at the same time.

I was even more thrilled when I found out that the university was taking care of all my expenses. I was curious to know why they selected me because I didn’t know anyone there. They said they researched many Caribbean designers and I impressed them the most. I accepted their offer and that trip is one I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Just driving around the campus felt awesome and I even got lost a couple of times because that campus is huge lol.

The room was so still as I nervously walked up to the stage. As I began my presentation I knew I had their attention. It was an honor to stand proudly at this Ivy League that the Kennedys attended. I got flashes of that little girl that had a dream to be someone who will make a difference in society. That young girl who put pride aside daily and walked the streets and avenues of Bartica selling pastries, buns and cakes. That young girl who knew she had to be there for her mom and other siblings. That young girl realized at an early age that life was not a walk in the park and you had to do whatever it took to become what you want. That young girl who knew she had to be creative and always looking for a way to make life better not only for her but the people close to her.

At the end of my presentation, a gorgeous young lady came up to me with an American accent and was evidently excited by the presentation. She said “I am so proud to be Guyanese”. I asked her what part of Guyana she was from and she responded “i have never visited Guyana but my parents are Guyanese but listening to you up there this evening, I am proud to say I am Guyanese”. That right there made my trip worthwhile.

Please share with us something or someone who impacted your life.

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