FOLLOWING the successful staging of the inaugural Origins Fashion Festival, several additional components of the initiative, aimed at further strengthening Guyana’s emerging fashion industry, are being rolled out.
On Tuesday, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, and Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, met with designers, models, and the coordinating team to reflect on the festival’s success and challenges and to discuss the implementation of several new elements associated with the initiative.

Minister Walrond commended all those who contributed to the event’s staging, including the designers, models, volunteers, and production team. She noted that the festival had surpassed expectations and was a demonstration of the creative capacity that exists in Guyana. While highlighting the event’s high standard and professionalism, she reminded participants that the fashion show and workshops were only the beginning. Minister Walrond emphasised that Origins was conceived not only to build a vibrant fashion industry but also to develop a distinctive tourism product with long-term potential.

Minister McCoy echoed similar sentiments, describing the festival as a landmark achievement and a showcase of world-class talent. He shared several initiatives that will now come into effect, beginning with the establishment of a Fashion Council to serve as a unified voice for industry professionals. The council will guide sectoral development, foster collaboration, and strengthen representation for designers, models, and creatives.
The Minister also announced the launch of a series of certified training programmes tailored to build capacity, especially among youth. Special emphasis will be placed on talent identification and early development, particularly for teenagers showing promise in the creative arts.

Additionally, Minister McCoy revealed that the Origins Fashion Festival Magazine will be featured onboard Caribbean Airlines, providing international exposure for Guyanese talent.
The Railway Courtyard, the venue for the festival, has officially been designated a creative space and will serve as a hub for events focused on fashion, dance, drama, and other artistic expressions—underscoring the government’s commitment to cultural development and creative enterprise.