THE first-ever Guyana Fashion Week (GFW) is waxing warm as the mega-event gets ready to blaze a trail on the Caribbean fashion marketing and networking landscape.

Some of the highlights expected for Fashion Week 2013

In Guyana, the momentum is building on the heels of the success of GFW’s World Water Week celebrations, and recently, in New York, at the elegantly redesigned Courtyard and grand tenting of Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Plaza for the launch of the Toast of Brooklyn — a wine and food festival 2013.
Serenaded by the Jeff King Band, guests and celebrities not only got a taste of wines and spirits from around the world, but also indulged in a delightful showcase featuring apparel by Guyana Fashion Week 2013 designers Sonia Noel, Gem Fraser and Myrna Patterson.
The fall festival that was a Taste of Brooklyn while celebrating the diversity of the world in festive mode was given an electrifying boost when models from Guyana, Trinidad, Jamaica and New York graced the runway in styles that can only be described as delectably chic.  The bevy of beauties in high fashion at this international wine festival raised a lot of spirits among an appreciative upscale audience. Among the models was Miss Guyana World, 2011, Arti Cameron, who is the official face of GFW 2013.
Sonia Noel’s strategy of reaching out to the NY Diaspora was clearly enhanced by the models who, while mingling with the audience, handed out copies of Noel’s Makin’ Style magazine as well as promotional material for GFW 2013. This feature presentation generated considerable interest at one of Brooklyn’s premier venues, and certainly would be recorded as a monumental addition to this exclusive event.
Members of the Diaspora were so enamored by the class and sophistication of the designs showcased that several guests sought after models with great excitement, asking to purchase some of the outfits displayed.
Sonia Noel’s unique ability to penetrate the NY Diaspora from as far away as her Guyana base – even while being physically absent for most of these events — is made possible by her ongoing collaboration with persons like Allison Skeete, who hosted the fashion portion of the high-calibre event; Lorna Welshman-Neblett, the organizer-in-chief; and both Philippa Morrish and Paul Burnette, who kept things running smoothly backstage.
As a highlight, one of Guyana’s veterans, NY-based journalist Tangerine Clarke, graced the stage in outfits by Sonia Noel and Myrna Patterson. Another highlight of the fashion show caught the audience by surprise when the lead musician of The Jeff King band descended the stage, spontaneously interrupting the walking flow of the model lineup, to serenade Arti Cameron on saxophone with a breathtaking performance.
Cameron was only too willing to oblige, and soaked up the treat while swaying to soulful music, to the delight of onlookers.
The invitation to make a fashion presentation at the VIP reception of the Wine and Food Festival was opportune, falling on the shirt tail of New York Fashion Week, when the industry enthusiasts and fashionistas are abuzz with the anxious and fascinating energy of the moment. And it serves to heighten awareness at a time when GFW designers go into high gear in preparation for what promises to be Guyana’s biggest ever celebration of talent, culture and style.
The culminating GFW event is billed for October 20-27 at Rahaman’s Park, Georgetown, Guyana. An amazing addition to this year’s fashion festival is the inclusion of industry-specific workshops, serving to enhance the status of its practitioners and position them favourably for innovative practice and competitive advantage.
Persons interested in participating in these workshops can register at the Barr Street office on 226-3099, or email guyanafw@gmail.com
Tickets for the show go on sale from tomorrow.