A DESIGNER who is committed to the ‘indigenous and natural’, veteran designer Donna Ramsammy-James is doing it again.
She will, next Sunday, be hosting a private viewing of ‘Canopy’, her 2011 collection, at her D’Urban Backlands residence, promising, as in previous years, a stunning display of elegant ladies and men’s wear. According to the designer, the line will feature “the softness of Asia, the depth of Africa, and “the colour of the Caribbean,” and the 131 pieces in the collection will each be an individual piece of artwork. 
The title of the line, she said, is in synergy with the importance of foliage to forest ecosystems worldwide and international activities to mitigate the anticipated effects of climate change. Additionally, she noted that rich canopy is abundant in Guyana in Northern Amazonia where small populations and prudent management for well over fifty years have left us with thousands of hectares of thick canopy impact.
A choreographer, dancer and artist, Ramsammy-James is best known today for her design known for its ethnic fusion, art through fashion, traditional cultural styles, dress and motifs.
She is proud of the fact that she herself embodies the rich diversity of Guyana and the Caribbean. With Indian, Chinese and African roots, the designer was brought up in an environment of art and culture, and was already enrolled in ballet classes by the age of four.
‘Canopy’ is number 12 in the SHAPE2000 annual collections. It was preceded by ‘Visions’ (2000); ‘A Touch of Eldorado’ (2002); ‘Cultural Mosaic’ (2003); ‘Calypso in Colour’ (2004); ‘Umoja Sasa’ (2005); ‘Celebration’ (2006); ‘Legacy’ and ‘Focus’   (2007); ‘Colours of the Caribbean’, ‘Mother Earth’ and ‘Guyana and Beyond’ (2008); ‘Chimera’ (2009); and ‘Treveni Experience’ and ‘Spirit of the Caribbean’ (2010).