The first time I heard “Caribbean Aesthetic” it was from Richard Young. I am yet to meet someone more passionate about Caribbean things than my friend and Caribbean creative icon Richard Young. Richard has made significant contributions across the Caribbean and beyond. It was an honour to see and listen to him at the Trinidad Fashion Festival- Dis Is We Style launch.

“It is absolutely gratifying to steward the creation of a fashion festival with Tourism Trinidad Limited. It has been my ideal vision to marry destination marketing strategy with identity branding perquisites and, above all, claim our distinctive Caribbean aesthetic.It is paramount that we appreciate our eclectic differences as well as acknowledge our synergistic similarities as a regional space in order to market impactfully our locations while at the same time, celebrating our unique style template to position our creative genius internationally.

By nature, we excel as a people through animating our festival traditions, so it is indeed opportune to corral the forces and present our novel fashions to the world unapologetically and proudly. This pulsating momentum of creativity generates not only our competitive advantage but exalts our innovative dynamism. A fashion festival is moreover a need not a want!!!” said Richard Young, Fashion Festival Development Special Consultant at the event.

The inauguration ceremony took place at the Queen’s Hall in Port of Spain, a venue renowned for promoting and preserving Trinidad and Tobago’s arts and culture. Dis Is We Style is carded to take place over a week at the end of May 2024 and will showcase an array of appealing events, including mesmerising runway shows, captivating exhibitions, enlightening workshops, and much more.

The launch held to coincide with the calendar date for next year was also done so people can start creating a ‘Save The Date’ for next year and plan beyond the carnival celebrations. This all fits into TTL’s strategic festival plans, which will see persons now having options beyond the Mas for festivals held over several days, including music, culinary arts and fashion.

Carla Cupid, the CEO of Tourism Trinidad Limited, expressed her enthusiasm at the launch event, stating, “In keeping with our mantra that Trinidad is always in Season, we are finally making this a firmer reality with our festivals schedule.”

She continued by noting that “we are truly thrilled to unveil this remarkable event which exemplifies the talent and ingenuity of our local fashion industry. Our talents are world-class, and we need to start creating space locally to invite the world to come and enjoy it. This festival stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment and passion of our homegrown designers, and we take immense pride in supporting their endeavours.”

Ms. Simone Thorne-Mora Quinones, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism Culture and the Arts, echoed these sentiments. She emphasised the significance of the Trinidad Fashion Festival – Dis Is We Style, stating, “This launch represents a pivotal moment for our nation, as it will highlight our distinct culture and boundless creativity. We are proud to lend our support to this event and eagerly anticipate its continued success.”

The festival will feature a stellar line-up of Trinidad and Tobago’s leading creators and many more. International designers from around the globe will also be showcased, adding a truly global flair to the festivities.

The festival will commence in the last week of May 2024 and will feature an array of captivating events such as runway shows, appealing exhibitions, enlightening workshops, and much more.

The Trinidad Fashion Festival – Dis Is We Style is an annual extravaganza that celebrates the unique style and boundless creativity of Trinidad and Tobago’s fashion industry.

Aisha Stewart – Project Lead of Value Chain Investment Programme (VCIP) at Fashiontt gave brief remarks at the launch and it was with great pride when she spoke about the designers selected to go overseas soon.

The designers off to London are:
Meiling
Claudia Pegus
The Cloth
J’Angelique
The Hideout Clothing

The designers off to New York are:
Ecliffe Elie
Charu Lochan Dass
Heather Jones
Genesis Swimwear
1ndividual aesthetic
Neha Karina

The global tier – Global Value Chain (GVC) heads off to trade missions in New York and London in June and July

Without a doubt, Trinidad and Tobago is leading the Caribbean Fashion Industry and we must commend Tourism Trinidad Limited, FashionTT, Richard Young and all the other stakeholders that contributed for them to take the lead. I must also thank Tourism Trinidad Limited for inviting and hosting me to be part of this prestigious launch. The ambience was magnificent and the audience was a mixture of fashion designers. Creatives, private sector, diplomats and government officials.

The admired the artistic direction of Richard Young and the way he utilised the Pierrot Grenades throughout the evening. Pierrot Grenades are part of the traditional Mas history as satirical characters that speak with a learned tongue with great oratorical capacity to inform the masses on all social, economical and political issues. Xavier Strings violinists were amazing and the image of the Pierrot Grenades in the background while they were performing has carved a place in my memory bank.

The Trinidad Fashion Festival – Dis Is We Style, a vibrant celebration of the distinctive style and creativity flourishing within Trinidad and Tobago’s fashion industry, will inspire other Caribbean countries because we have something unique and special to offer the world. Let’s continue to collaborate as we continue to celebrate this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.