September is a much anticipated month for celebration in Guyana, especially for the indigenous people in all regions. I attended “Indigenous Imagination, ” a pre-celebration featuring indigenous designers. A group of young people hosted the ‘The All Nine Nations’ event led by former Miss Amerindian Heritage Queen Sherica Ambrose. The collections consist of ready-to-wear casual, traditional attire to indigenous wedding attire. Matt and Annie’s Art featured a beautiful hand-painted collection.
They specialised in portrait painting and drawing, cartoon animation, mural and backdrop painting. Hand-painted clothing, tailoring and alteration. Matt and Annie’s Art is owned by husband and wife Courtney Matt Douglas and Aneeza C. Douglas.

Lethem Exclusive Apparel

They are a business partnership aimed at designing and providing quality Guyanese and Indigenous-themed apparel products. LEA first started as an online business to provide unique, stylish streetwear and apparel products.
The idea of LEA came from a lack of and the need for stylish, contemporary, quality souvenir tees when travelling, combined with the passion to promote Indigenous culture and representation. You don’t have to wait until it’s September to represent. Their products can be worn anywhere and any time of the year.

Presently, they offer T-shirts, handbags and cups with the vision to expand into other apparel products targeting the local Guyanese market as well as the diaspora. Their products are suitable for souvenirs, gifts and casual wear.
Their current permanent location is at the Lethem Public Market but you can also find some of our products at the Visit Rupununi Office in Lethem and also available online at: https://kapohn.etsy.com/

I remember meeting Leroy in Lethem and was very impressed with his vision. He was studying in Cuba then and is a doctor now.

The intricate details on Andy & Elizabeth Williams caught my attention. These two indigenous costume designers are from Paramakatoi Village Region 8. They mostly design indigenous outfits using local materials from the environment. Their passion for designing started in 2005 when they designed and made a traditional outfit for Sondra Cheong in 2005, who was contesting at Miss Amerindian Heritage Pageant as a representative of Region #8.

She was crowned a queen, and her costume was the best in creativity.
That inspired them to continue making traditional wear outfits. After that, three other costumes were the best in 2007, 2009, and 2017.
It takes one month to complete one outfit, and the materials that are used are spun cotton balls, feathers, shells, bamboo beads, crow eye beads, buck beads and other indigenous materials that are found in my Region.
They both chose to make and design traditional wear because they believed that sharing their talent with others was a blessing from the Creator.

Watching Vanda Designs reminded me of how nervous she was getting ready to showcase at Guyana Fashion Week. She has come a long way, and I am proud of her. She describes her collection as “It’s our twist to Indigenous fashion in today’s world.Our aim is to provide quality and affordable wearable Art of our indigenous culture, environment and way of life.”
Vanda Allicock of Vanda Designs is also a massage therapist. At Vanda designs, we not only make you look good we make you feel good and design for both men and women.”

Natasha David showcased an amazing crochet collection with indigenous influence.
She is ranked amongst the best indigenous designers in Guyana and the Caribbean. She started her career creating beautiful dresses from banana leaves for dolls in 2007. In 2009, she participated in Guyana Fashion Week, creating a full collection for the first time. This runway provided her with the platform to be recognised. Her creative mind did not allow her to stop there, and she went on to create the most amazing jewellery collection and indigenous costumes. David’s creation is known as a brand with unique merchandise that sets her apart from others.

Her work was featured in magazines, newspapers and Expos in Guyana, including Women in Business Expo,the Caribbean and the USA. Natasha is proud of her indigenous culture and believes in giving back and has facilitated many workshops teaching banana leaf designs and the Art of jewellery making. I sat and looked at her, taking her walk after her collection and felt emotional. I remember a shy lady who introduced herself to me at GuyExpo years while making Banana Leaves dresses on dolls. I challenged her to create a collection for Guyana Fashion Week, and did, although she did it scared. Her story is a testimony that it is possible even when you doubt yourself. Natasha was the first indigenous designer to showcase at GFW.

Marcella Allicock’s designs graced the GFW stage. She hails from a small village in the North Rupununi called Surama.
” I started being creative by doing crochet and embroidery on pillowcases, hand towels and potholders. My creative journey took an inspiring turn towards acrylic painting 20 years ago, starting with painting on wall mats of birds and wildflowers. I was later inspired to try Acrylic painting on shirts(male/female), dresses and skirts of indigenous petroglyphs, birds, animals, and flowers of the rainforest and fell in love immediately.

I was fortunate to have purchased my first set of painted clothes by Mr. Sydney Allicock, which helped turn my paintings into a small business.”
She started getting orders for not only painted clothes but bags, towels, etc., from tourism lodges in the Rupununi for souvenirs and tokens of appreciation to visitors. Since then, she has created every piece with the rich Art of our indigenous people.

Creativity runs in the DNA of this family; hence Marcella’s daughter, Manicy Allicock is also designing. She stated, “My crochet and knitting is a venture born out of a deep love for expressing my creativity and imagination through the selection of colours, patterns and designs. Like any Indigenous child having a wide eye for exposure and curiosity, a needle and yarn caught mine. I’m so lucky to have a mom who is also creative, hence me being taught every little thing I know today. I hope to one day have my work provide a platform for me to showcase my unique and authentic Indigenous designs and create items that reflect my rich heritage background.”

Indigenous Imaginations’ is the first Indigenous Fashion Show featuring designers, artists, make-up artists, graphic designers and more. I had a wonderful time not only viewing the collection but indulging in the delicious cassava bread pizza and fly wine.

The Indigenous Month celebration continues and I invite you to join us at Tower Suites on Main Street for a special Indigenous celebration on September 17th from 10 am to 3pm. A wide range of indigenous cuisine to choose from: Pepperpot, Cassava bread ,Homemade Bread ,Vegetable Farine and Rice, Tuma, Steamed fish, Cassava Pizza,Farine Marigold ,Pot bake and salted fish,Farine Cake ,wild meat kebab ,Cassava custard , Bush Tea, Coffee and Juice. Indigenous Art, jewellery, and wines will be featured at the brunch and fashion display. For reservation, call 225-2222 or 6848129.
Let’s celebrate our first people as celebrate this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.