Caribbean Fashion Week Highlights: Night Two

Caribbean Fashion Week held in Kingston, Jamaica really had its peak on Saturday night. That’s what is expected when your headliner is Kelly Rowlands and crowd favourites such as Kaysian Bourke and Barry Moncrieffe are showing.

I must start off by saying how disappointed I was in Kelly’s outfit. She performed at a fashion week looking like she was ’bout to go pick the kids up at a rock n roll playground.

Child please. And who comes to paradise and doesn’t post pics on IG? No performance pics, barely any word about Jamaica… did she hang out with fans afterwords? The budget must have not been enough. Girl….

Anyway, the highlight of my evening was SOL by Drenna Luna. It’s a mostly swimwear line by Angelie Martin-Spencer, the sister of Drenna Luna’s main designer Arlene Martin. The swimwear line was very retro, full of high waists and bandeau tops that mixed and match prints. High-waisted swimwear is a retro trend that is very popular right now and those of us without the perfect stomach are so very appreciative! Here are a few of my favourites:

Loves it! Her sister Arlene Martin delivered an equally fabulous all-white line that has been getting rave reviews. I even got a request to find out where they can be purchased!

I want all of them. Perfect for this summer heat! Let’s worry about laundry after.

Wild/Free was another collection that I loved very much as it had funky, electric pieces from swimwear to flowy islandwear in updated colours and designs. The designer, Jamaican-born Raecine Williams, is currently studying in the USA according to their website, so I’m not sure where the line is based.

Not to worry, these are just highlights of each night. I will feature some of my favourite designers in their own post. Here are a few of my favourites from the Wild/Free line:

I really love that black dress! And yay for more high-waist swimsuits!

Flowerchild by Kaysian Bourke was an audience favourite, but I honestly think it may just have been the popularity of the designer herself. She sure did have a penny-section! Don’t get me wrong, I have seen other collections from her and I do love her work, but this collection did not wow me.

Last year I described the Crown Atelier line by Tigerlily Hill from Cayman as “fun” and “wearable” but this year the line has been heightened to a more ethereal feel. Neutral tones, delicate fabrics, flowy dresses and metallic pieces were the themes of this year’s line with an interesting choice of headpiece:

Koko Beenz is another fun Jamaican line that showed pieces that were trendy and ready to wear. Here are a few of my faves:

Holographic prints are very trendy right now. But can we take a minute to thank the designer for putting Oraine in the itsy bitsiest, teensy weensiest piece she could find? We are grateful. Someone asked me what I thought about the neck pieces and I was like… the what??? OH!

Sabina Mutsvati is from Zimbabwe and brought with her a very unique collection. The line is called Cheukwa and is very third-dimensional. I’m not sure what I mean either…here, take a look

How very haute couture! I really liked the unique creations.

Brenda Winstead of Washington DC continued the African theme by showing a collection called Damali Afrikan Wear.

Loving the colours and prints used. And finally, for this post, one of my favourite local designers that’s been around forever. Barry Moncrieffe displayed excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail as usual with a classic flair and timeless pieces.

This is when you’re on your grown man and woman-ish!

Whew! This was a long post, I know. What were your favourites? See any designer you’d like me to interview for their own break-out post? Let me know!

Pictures from Skkan and Infuzion

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