The BRICS+ Fashion Summit has emerged as a highly influential occasion in the realm of fashion, drawing in fashion industry representatives from different corners of the globe. If we had any doubts, as Moscow is a fashion hub, this event certainly stamped that authority and was well deserved!

Imagine 205 guests from 62 countries and Guyana was the only Caribbean country. I must confess that before visiting one of the most beautiful cities in the world, I did not realise the magnitude and impact of their fashion industry. One of the things I admire is how excited the young people were to learn more. After speaking that day, so many of them interacted with me and were very curious about the possible opportunities the sector offers. They were interested not just in modelling and designing but also fashion illustrations, photography styling, etc., and they would have received a wide perspective because of the diverse cultural backgrounds of the visiting delegation.

I also enjoyed the interaction with the Moscow Media. When my friend Bench sent me the clip of my first TV interview in Moscow, it reminded me again that I was fulfilling my purpose. We have a unique menu from the Caribbean to serve at this fashion buffet, and it was an honour to have that presence at such a remarkable gathering at the BRICS + Fashion Summit.

Business Programmes were one of the main features
The Business Program featured over 40 sessions with more than 200 speakers from different parts of the world. They delved into crucial industry topics such as collaboration, entrepreneurship, and innovation. It was a privilege to be on the panel with other esteemed speakers discussing the impact of Fashion Weeks around the world. We are planning to re-launch Guyana Fashion Week next year, God willing. We continue receiving messages from the public begging for the return because of its impact on many lives.

This trip has certainly connected me with partners who can take GFW to another level. Willy Batura, CEO & Founder of Fort Fashion Council, lives in Dubai. He Manages the council access initiatives such as nurturing and developing the talents of young designers, opening Dubai gateway for international brands and designers and setting infrastructure for international organisations franchises in Dubai or the Middle East expansions.

“It’s was pleasure meeting with Dr. Sonia Noel during the Brics+ Fashion Summit, her knowledge in the industry is beyond words to describe and we look forward to exploring the industry of Guyana’s fashion, tourism and culture, also creating extended relationships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates for Guyana and Caribbean industry,” Mr Barura said.

The only day I saw the sunset in Moscow and that experience was shared with my colleague from Zimbabwe and he also shared his summit experience.

“The BRICS Fashion Summit is an event that has brought together industry professionals and fashion enthusiasts from around the world and left an indelible mark in my memory.

Participating in this event opened my eyes to the possibilities that professionals on the African continent can learn and apply within their terms of reference. Additionally, I am excited at the positive contribution that African fashion will make to the event in future with our industry professionals sharing their expertise and creativity on a global platform like the BRICS Fashion Summit.” Marshall Mutsamwira – Director, Zimbabwe Fashion Week. Unfortunately, I think he also shared his flu with me but I have forgiven lol.

Umit Temurcin from Turkey had great energy and we connected also because he is a fashion writer. He is the founder of UT Projects Agency, which organises many fashion events in Turkey. He gives us his opinion on the Summit.

“Brics Fashion Summit Moscow turned out to be a great fashion organisation, far beyond what I expected. It is a platform that brings together hundreds of international industry professionals, nurtures everyone in line with their branches and creates new relationships. Brands exhibited their products in the showroom and met with buyers, and many international fashion designers presented their collections in professional fashion shows. Dozens of panels were held and experts shed light on the future of the sector and the points that need to be improved. I also moderated a panel, where we talked about what steps should be taken in new international markets and what kind of experts we should work with.

Apart from these, I saw the discipline and hard work of the Russians more closely. In Moscow, they also took great care of us outside of work. We visited many cultural and historical museums and galleries. They were full of magnificent works. Also, I really liked Russian food. It was a complete gastronomic experience. Apart from these, the city was bright before the new year, and the integration of those magnificent architectural buildings with the lights left an incredible visual mark on me. I believe that next year Brics Fashion Summit will grow much bigger and the Russian textile and fashion world will shine even brighter.”

The B2B showroom was an amazing feature. The setup was classy and professional for fostering new connections between buyers, designers, and industry experts. This expansive space hosted 130 brands from various countries. The Fashion Intensive Course was also part of the Summit. It was a special educational platform organised within the Summit. Fashion students and emerging designers had an opportunity to learn from 37 lecturers from esteemed universities and international fashion institutions. The list included professors and experts from Brazil, China, India, Argentina, Russia, Colombia, Turkey, South Africa and Nigeria among others.

The true highlights of the Summit were the Fashion Shows, where designers could showcase
their collections to the international audience. The lineup of Fashion Shows was nothing short of impressive, boasting renowned names such as David Tlale from South Africa, SADAELS from Argentina, Arzu Kaprol from Turkey, 陳宇CHNNYU from China, Lucas Leão from Brazil, FDCI presents: riteshkumar, KHANIJO, Naushad Ali, and Shruti Sancheti from India. This diverse array of designers provided an unparalleled platform for cultural exchange and celebrated the rich tapestry of global fashion.

World Fashion Shorts appeared as an immersive multimedia installation that combinesfashion and video art. It featured a curated collection of vibrant short films that have received accolades at international fashion film festivals. This emerging genre has seen significant growth worldwide in recent years. The selection for World Fashion Shorts encompasses films from diverse regions such as South Africa, North America, Europe, Central, and Southeast Asia. Together, they offered a captivating glimpse into the vast array of cultures and expanded our understanding of fashion. I will have to leave the Gala dinner (pic below)for some other time because it was a dinner of dinners!

So much to digest and it will take some time and it takes vision to plan and execute such a master plan. This trip has motivated my fashion journey and vision for the industry in Guyana and the Caribbean. I already have a glimpse of my mental vision board for 2024 and fashion will play a major role. We have started our registration for our annual vision board parties in Georgetown, Berbice, Bartica and Linden. I encourage you to whatsapp +5926848129 for more info as we celebrate this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.