By Gabriella Chapman

THE Creative Arts & Fashion Industry continues to be flooded with the constant emergence of young creatives across the country.

Having the talent is one thing, but getting the opportunities and exposure to develop the talent, is another.

Recognising the need for a platform to showcase the plethora of talent in the industry, Denise Jennings, CEO of Hibiscus Couture House of Fashion, is hosting a Festival of Arts and Fashion today at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Through a theatrical type production, Jennings, along with her Artistic Director, Oral Welshman, is bringing the arts together through dance, fashion, song, theatre.
In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Welshman explained that the festival will not take the form of item after item, but rather it will all be incorporated into one big production.

“While the singers are performing, the dancers are dancing. While the saxophonist and violinist are playing, the models are walking in the designer evening gown pieces. That’s how it will be done; it is going to be a show with a difference. Great choreography, great choice of music, full theatrical entertainment,” he said.

Disclosing further that coming out of a music and theatre workshop he conducted in Berbice, he came across some exceptional talent, some of which will be incorporated into the show.

Jennings said that her reason for doing this event is to highlight and showcase talented Guyanese artists.

“We have a lot of designers, musicians, dancers, actual artists, and some of these people get lost in the cracks; nobody knows about them. So, we’re trying to use this platform to showcase not only fashion, but other talents in the industry. For example, one of our models is a very good artist, and we’re giving him an entire scene. His name is Ian Campbell, a teacher by profession, but his art was never showcased. For his scene, models will be walking with his pieces while he paints on stage,” Jennings said.

Even though Jennings herself is a designer, she said that her intention is to collaborate with others, so that together they can make a difference in the industry.
**“If we unite, we’ll be a force to reckon with. My vision is to try to up the bar of fashion a whole lot in Guyana. I’m not criticizing anybody’s work or anything, but I think we can do so much more than just tie-dye and paintings, we can do glamorous things. Some people do, but to me we need more. Guyana can be on par with any part of the world,” she told ‘The Buzz’.

Despite her aim, she was posed with many challenges in making it a reality. Including lack of support from corporate Guyana, and refusal from persons in the industry to collaborate with her.

“Since I returned home, I reached out to countless designers that I felt would have been on board with us for something like this, to help promote ourselves, our country and the young people who are not being exposed. Nobody seems to be interested. To me, it appears as if they’re not in charge of the actual event, they don’t want to be part of it… Even corporate Guyana. We’re trying to get sponsors to do this event, an event that’s going to showcase Guyanese talent, help young people to be exposed and recognized and you’re not getting the support,” she lamented.

Nonetheless, from the help of a few friends and ‘out of pocket’ investments, the show has become a reality and will be happening tomorrow night, at a cost of $3000 general stand, $5000 general court and VIP.

She said that about five other young designers are on board and they will work together to make this an annual event and tourist attraction for people coming back home.

Hibiscus Couture was formed over 20 years ago by Jennings, while she was in Barbados. I was formed under a different name ‘Dendre’s House of Fashion’, but after she returned home to Guyana, three years ago, she decided to change the name to make it more related to her country.
Hence the name ‘Hibiscus Couture’.