IN observance of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in Guyana, the country’s only Fashion and Awards showcase titled, Orange the Runway (OTR): Volume 3, has returned under the theme “CONCRETE ROSE. A story of resilience.”

Orange the Runway’s creator, Jamicia Mc Calman-Nelson, told a press conference on Thursday last that the event aims to brings awareness to gender-based violence and mental health. She said that this year’s theme celebrates the men, women, and young boys and girls who would have experienced, endured or continue to endure hardships but are resilient in their fight.

“Orange the Runway celebrates that. But to commemorate OTR volume three, what we have done, we have curated a weekend of activities dubbed as the ‘Orange Weekend’, where over 1,000 patrons will experience impact and excitement,” Mc Calman-Nelson noted.

The calendar of activities includes a welcome reception and auction which is scheduled for December 01, (this is by invitation only); on December 02, there will be a business expo and arts fest; on December 03 the main event, the Fashion and Awards show.

The welcome reception and auction will allow special invitees to immerse themselves in an evening of art, culture, and networking. The business expo and arts fest are intended to give support to, and provide a platform for business owners to showcase their businesses, and goods and services.

Meanwhile, Sidney Nelson, one of Orange the Runway’s partners, noted that the event caters to small, medium and large-scale businesses, so persons can rent a booth.

These booths can be selected from three categories for rental: a 6 x 3 tent at a retail price of $20,000; a 10 x 10 for $150,000; and for the large businesses, there’s the 15 x 15 tent for $250,000.
The art expo, he said, gives patrons and vendors a chance to network and display products and services and to learn from each other. Children are also catered for, as a play area for them will also be set up.

To bring the weekend to a close is the fashion and awards showcase that will be held at the Ramada Princess Hotel, East Bank Demerara. Patrons can look forward to walking on OTR’s orange carpet, and valet parking for both the VIP welcome reception and the awards and fashion show.

Mc Calman-Nelson stated that government officials and members of the diplomatic core will be treated to an evening of fashion, awards and ‘show stopping’ performances as several creatives from Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago will showcase their talent and design that depict their interpretation of, ‘Concrete Rose; A Story of Resilience’.

In the past year, domestic and gender-based violence cases have increased drastically; most of the victims are women. Advocate organisations, like OTR, have continuously taken steps to bring awareness to the ongoing scourge.

Tickets for the fashion show cost VIP $20,000- all inclusive of wine and hors d’oeuvres, and front row seating, and general $10,000 which includes a complimentary glass of wine. Tickets are available at Nutrition Crave, Dahlia L’artista, Glow Aesthetics, Sachs, Odessa’s Beauty Salon and CaMeg’s Fashion House.