The runway will become a time machine for many during San Fernando Fashion Week in September, as it seeks to tell the stories of older generations through fabric and fashion.
During the media launch, themed ‘Stories From De Old House,’ the founder of D.A.D.L. (Deron Attzs Design Label), Deron Attz, said the event will bridge past and present generations through art.
According to Mr. Attz, this San Fernando Fashion Week goes beyond fabric and outfits: it is a level of self-empowerment achieved through various artistic expressions to keep history alive.
“Sometimes what could also trigger and empower that is also understanding some of the sacrifices of our people from yesterday, what they were able to sacrifice, endure. What we are able to do is tell those stories we are using theatre, we are using art, we are using music, we are using fashion to tell those stories. So that is what is happening for this year, 2025.”
Calypsonian-turned-fashion-designer Maria Bhola-Paul is no stranger to the spotlight. On the runway, the former national calypso queen swapped the microphone for needle and thread, showcasing an artistic collection of clothing and jewellery under her brand, Bhol Designs.
“I am a fairly new designer when it comes to clothing. I started three years ago with respect to jewellery designing and recently handbags. It’s only two years now I’ve really been dabbling in the aesthetic of clothing. I would say if I were to describe my aesthetic, it’s easy and fun and free, and I am really, really happy to be a part of this experience.”
Another designer, and owner of Johari Airfrikaans, Patrice Avril Jordan, said that after starting her clothing brand four years ago, during the pandemic, she discovered that her passion was creating Afro-centric clothing designs.
“My line consists of male, female and children’s. I pride myself as a Afro-centric designer, I also dabble in accessories and footwear.”
Owner of Josiah Fashion House, Halcyon Jeffrey, said that although she is new to the world of fashion and garment design, she remains excited about what the future brings.
“I recently joined different agencies that promote fashion for the local designers and I am very, very excited about this show in September. The pieces, basically what the women used to wear long time, the big white skirts, and the print on it is the woman, the African woman.”
In single-handedly helping to preserve the rich historical traditions of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Attz mentioned that the fashion show also seeks to shine a light on the 10 designers participating in this year’s event.
“Normally you would know the first week out of school, in primary school, they would call you to have senna and salts, so you know you have to get a purge out. And then you know when you have to cool tea, it’s between two enamels suspended in the air. And you also have to know when bread is cooking you have fire on top, fire below. If you know what that means in terms of that, and then you have stove iron. So a lot of those generations don’t know the stories of those times, and we will want to tell that story inside of presenting the collection of the designers for this production.”
The annual San Fernando Fashion Week is set to begin on September 24th and will be held at the Creative Arts Centre, where it will display various runway collections, highlighting both culture and history through art.