By Shaniya Harding

There isn’t anyone that is entirely one-dimensional. With everyone having different jobs, hobbies and interests, we are all multi-faceted in one way or another. But people like Phelicia Adams take the term multi-talented to a whole new level. Phelicia is the owner of Flawless Crochet. She is also a designer and a home economics teacher; this 22-year-old is a prime example of what can be accomplished with hardwork and dedication.

After becoming a crochet designer at seventeen, Phelicia decided to turn her natural talent into a tool for creativity and inspiration. As a model, Phelicia has always loved fashion but went beyond to start her own business and teach others the basics of her passion, crochet.

Naturally flawless
Today, crochet is what Phelicia is known for. But she says this wasn’t always the case. It wasn’t until one day, when she was 17 and her dreams of becoming a nurse had failed, that she decided that it was time to try something different. Learning how to crochet from her mother, it was never what she wanted to do. But after that day, Phelicia says that changed, saying, “I was home with my mom one day and she was knitting an outfit for a customer. And after she left, I looked at the pattern. And I picked up the needle and the thread and just began knitting. So crochet isn’t something I learnt. It just came naturally to me.”

Although moving quite a lot during her childhood, Phelicia has always called Parika her home and has never lost her sense of family. Growing up as a self-described tom-boy, Phelicia says that fashion has done a lot in helping her develop into the woman she is today. “After I started modelling and began to explore that part of my life, I became more ladylike and changed a lot at that point in my life,” she explained. Although full of confidence and poise today, Phelicia says that her childhood was far less glamorous. “Growing up wasn’t easy for me. My mom was a single parent. And it was really hard for her to find food for us everyday. As time went by, I did what I knew had to be done, which was to pass my CXC and make her proud. And I believe I achieved that very well,” she said.

Phelicia considers her mother to be the inspiration behind what she could achieve today. Like herself, Phelicia describes her mother as not only multi-talented but also someone who did it all on her own. This fact is even more impressive as Phelicia explains how intricate, complex and challenging the art of crocheting is. “Crochet is something that, if you make one mistake, the entire thing has to be opened back to that mistake. Crochet is not something made by a machine. It is very complicated and requires a lot of patience,” she explained.

Entering fashion and the beginning of Flawless Crochet

As a model, Phelicia has done three pageants thus far and displayed her creations in fashion shows by other models. And although she has indulged in fashion both on and off the runway, Phelicia says designing is what she loves best. “To be able to see someone walking in my designs and knowing that I made that is incredible,” she admitted.The Moonlight Stories Gala and Runway Show was one of those incredible moments for Phelicia. As the design, a collaboration between herself and another designer was modelled on the runway, Phelica felt pride in seeing something she had handmade being showcased and received with love from the audience.

Established in 2019, Flawless Crochet is Phelicia’s brand. Flawless Crochet stands out as being authentic handmade and caterers directly to the needs of customers. Making everything from baby clothes and crop tops to swimsuits and dresses, Phelicia has every customer in mind. Although currently a one-man show, Phelicia is looking to expand her business and have crochet expand to be known as more than chair backs or coasters. But to be known as an art form. “Flawless Crochet is all about creating handmade crocheted outfits to suit your every need and at the best quality,” she said.

Knowledge and experience are said to be the best things worth sharing. Phelicia certainly believes that they are. Being a Home Economics teacher, she is a champion for the appreciation of the art of fashion and a mentor to those willing to learn how to crochet. This growing love for fashion in Guyana is just one aspect of what fashion means to her. “Fashion to me is all about bringing the best you can on a runway for people to see what you are capable of and for them to see what you can make. And then to give it to people and receive positive messages is what makes it all worthwhile,” Phelicia said.

A newcomer and still learning
Phelicia still considers herself a newcomer to the fashion scene as she still needs to learn things. It is in creating clothes that she feels most comfortable. “The fashion industry is different. It is not something you see everyday, especially when it comes to creativity. When local Guyanese designers come together and they put out the work, it is amazing and up to standard,” said Phelica.

As someone who has made a living out of creating, Phelicia assures up-and-coming designers that fashion is not for the faint of heart. Taking away from the usual simple glitz and glamour of it all, Phelicia says it is not simple or easy. Fashion is an undeniably hard task to perform. Phelicia stated that, “you have to put your mind to fashion. It has to be something you really want to achieve. Because fashion is not easy.”

In the future endeavours of Flawless Crochet, Phelicia says that there is plenty to look forward to. She is looking to expand Flawless Crochet to a new permanent location and then move regionally. As her business is, customers can reach out to her on all platforms by her business name to acquire their own crocheted garment and to have something that is authentically handmade and uniquely flawless.