PROMISING a fashion, beauty, style, and travel mixed together for an experience like never before, the Guyana Fashion Showcase was officially launched on Monday at the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel.

The experience will include a fashion show “The Runway Event” on Friday, while patrons will also participate in the Guyana Carnival Parade on Sunday, donning Michele Cole-Wagner-designed costumes, and then participate in a trip to Kaieteur Falls and other interior locations on Monday, May 27, 2019.

Behind the event is Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Philbert Giddings, while veteran Guyanese designer, Roger Gary is Creative Director. The orgaisation has partnered with the Ramada hotel and Caribbean Airlines to offer packages to patrons travelling from overseas.

“It’s basically a fashion and travel lifestyle event. We’re hoping to make it an annual event, so then every year we’re going to try to go to a different place just to discover Guyana,” Gary explained. “A lot of persons are coming for the event. People who we’ve marketed it to in the US said they love it and can’t wait to come.”

Having worked together on several overseas events over the past years, Gary and Giddings decided that it was time to bring something to Guyana. “I’ve done shows with him in New York then a little over a year ago he called me and he said: I need to do something in Guyana, something needs to happen there. And I said: It definitely had to have a fashion aspect. So I suggest to him let’s do it like a fashion and travel lifestyle event and he said yes let’s do it,” Gary shared as he explained how the event was birthed.

Gary says the hopes are to see the event go off with a bang. “We want it to come off in a very powerful way. When we put on this event we want it to be something that Guyana can be proud of,” he said.

Friday’s fashion show will see the participation of a stellar line up of 16 local, regional and international designers, and some 45 models, backed by top make-up artist and style team bringing some of spring 2019 best trends to a 60-foot runway. The designers’ lineup will include local designers Randy Madray, Sidney Francois, Mwanza Glen, Quinton Pearson and Pamela Fox. Gary and Cole-Wagner, who are overseas-based, will also be displaying pieces.
Each designer is being allowed a maximum of 15 pieces. Madray, who was present at Monday’s launch, says patrons can expect the Madray collection to bring its usual zest, especially with the brand celebrating its anniversary.

“It’s going to be something really out there; we’ve been working on it for quite a few months. This year is ten years since I’ve been designing so this year we’re doing a ‘Ten Years of Designing’ celebratory collection. It’s going to be really detailed, as we’re always known for, and we’re going to bring a lot of elegance to the runway,” Madray promised.

Aside from debuting the pieces, Madray says he’s happy to be a part of the show and looking forward to the opportunities that it will bring. “It’s great to be a part of the show, showcasing on the same runway as Michele and Roger and some of the other international designers that I know of but have never met. It will be a great opportunity to network and actually meet everyone in person. Networking with fellow designers always creates opportunities for you to reach further markets,” Madray said.