TRIANA Adano Barrow’s fashion-designing journey began when she was 18 and today that dream still lives within her as she continues to build her own brand and share her unique creativity with others.

It started when she bought her first sewing machine and experimented with making her first dress.

Looking back, she thought fashion had actually been a part of her life long before she realised she wanted to become a designer.

Growing up, she would watch her mother and grandmother go shopping and come home with bags and bags of clothes.

Barrow related that they would put everything out on the bed, and she remembered how exciting it was to see all the beautiful, colourful pieces.

“That really sparked something in me. I loved clothes from a very young age,” she said.

The now-25-year-old started sketching dresses in an exercise book she would take to school, and almost every day she drew different dresses and came up with ideas.

Barrow added that she actually wished she still had that book because it would be amazing to look back at the designs she drew as a child.

“At that time, I didn’t even know I wanted to be a fashion designer. I didn’t really know about the concept of being a designer; I knew about seamstresses, and I knew that I loved creating clothes. I always imagined myself working in a boutique, gaining experience and eventually doing something of my own,” she said.

Even the designs she created as a child were very colourful. She never really gravitated towards dull or ordinary pieces.

Barrow was always drawn to colour, different details and creating something that stood out. It’s funny because when she looks at some of the corset and detailed pieces she has created recently, she can actually see that same little girl in the designs.

So, becoming a designer wasn’t something she planned from the beginning, since it was something that naturally grew from her love of creating from a young age.

Barrow started with a simple tube dress, then made another, and another, just in different colours.

At the time, she was selling them for about $1,500 each because she was still learning and had very little knowledge about pricing and the business side of fashion.

The up-and-coming fashion designer told Pepperpot Magazine that she was also working at a boutique, learning as much as she could about the industry while slowly building something of her own.

She hadn’t left her job completely because she knew she still had a lot to learn.

One day, she went to visit a friend, and they ended up going into the market. It was then that she came across a tailor and asked him to teach her how to sew.

He agreed and told her to come the following Monday, and she actually showed up with her sewing machine and everything she needed.

“I think he was surprised that I was serious. At that point, I didn’t even know how to properly take measurements or cut fabric. He taught me how to measure, how to cut and how to properly approach the technical side of sewing. I’m extremely grateful to him because teaching someone your craft is a very generous thing to do, especially when you’re giving that knowledge freely. He became an important part of my journey, and I’ll always acknowledge that because, without that knowledge, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” she said.

Barrow stated that when she now looks at how she started compared with where she is now, the difference is huge.

She couldn’t imagine creating a piece today without taking proper measurements, drafting and understanding the construction behind it.

That foundation has helped her develop into the designer she is becoming.

As for where she hopes to go, she can’t put a limit on herself because she has very big dreams for Fitted by Ada and for herself as a designer, and there are certain goals she is keeping private until the right time.

“What I can say is that I’m going to keep climbing. Even if I experience setbacks or things don’t go exactly as planned, I’m not going to stop. I believe I can achieve great things, and I don’t allow other people’s limitations to become my own,” she said.

Barrow reported that she would like to see how far she can go. If there is another level to reach, she is going after it, and she is not interested in putting a ceiling on her own potential.

She noted that she would describe her style as modern, different and very much her own. She is inspired by everything around her, so she doesn’t really limit her creativity to one particular trend or aesthetic.

Barrow told Pepperpot Magazine that she does keep up with trends and stays in tune with what’s happening in fashion, but she doesn’t want to simply follow what’s already popular, since she takes inspiration from what she sees and then puts her own spin on it.

“I believe every designer has their own flow and creative language, and that’s what people eventually gravitate towards. For me, it’s about being modern while still making sure that, when you see my work, you can recognise that it came from my imagination and my perspective,” she said.

Fitted by Ada is Barrow’s studio, where clients can visit for consultations and fittings. It is a safe space where she can let her creativity flow freely while building her own brand. It is located at her home on Seventh Avenue, Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

Barrow participated in the Origins Fashion Festival both last year and this year. Last year, she participated in the fashion festival, showcasing her work and gaining experience.

This year, she returned and was fortunate enough to win Emerging Designer, which was a really meaningful achievement for her because it showed her that the work she is putting into her craft is being recognised.

The Origins Fashion Festival has brought Barrow a lot of attention and given her greater exposure.

The workshops were also extremely helpful, especially for developing her collection, and she gained knowledge that helped her approach it and her work from a different perspective.

“I also genuinely love being part of fashion shows. I love the adrenaline, the excitement and the rush that comes with seeing a collection come to life on a runway. It’s an experience that I really enjoy,” she said.

Barrow told Pepperpot Magazine that being part of the Origins Fashion Festival last year, and then coming back this year and winning Emerging Designer, made the experience even more special for her.

In fact, it showed her how much she can grow within a short period when she continues to learn, create and push herself.