The Origins Guyana Fashion Festival is creating opportunities for the development of Guyanese fashion designers and creatives, both locally and in the diaspora.
The coordinators of the event hosted a casting call for models on Saturday at the Railway Courtyard in Georgetown, as they move a step closer to hosting what they describe as the “largest fashion event in Guyana.”
Events Director Alex Graham reflecting on the origins of Guyanese fashion, noted that they have been shaped by a range of experiences and historical events over the years.
He explained that while these origins are complex, they contribute to what is now recognised as “Guyanese fashion.”
“We launched the Origins Fashion Festival just about a week ago. The festival is scheduled for May 2 to 4, and we held a casting call over the last week or so for models interested in participating in our fashion displays during the festival in early May.
“We were exploring ideas such as how Guyanese fashion came to be and what its foundations are. We recognised that Guyanese fashion is a result of fashion elements, life experiences, and history, all of which originated in different places.
“I like to argue that Guyanese fashion started thousands of years ago when the first aboriginal peoples came to Guyana and adapted to the natural environment — including how they dressed and how they evolved their clothing styles based on the places they journeyed through and eventually settled in. Later, with the arrival of Europeans, there was a fusion of opposite worlds of style and clothing,” he said.
Graham added that Guyana has now begun the journey of exporting its fashion sense and creative ideas, with designers drawing on local history and culture to shape their work, which is gaining visibility in the diaspora.
Also speaking at the event, Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Oneidge Walrond-Allicock, said the festival will provide a platform for increased opportunities for designers and creatives on the international stage.
“We’re now trying to take our fashion industry, our fashion sector, more seriously… We believe that Guyana should be a fashion hub. We should host our own Fashion Weeks. Our local talent in designing and jewellery-making should be promoted. Our models should be recognised — and recognised on the global stage.
“This fashion festival is meant to create that platform for you and for all of our creatives. And there’s going to be more. We have several workshops happening that focus on different aspects of the fashion industry… We’re bringing in experts from international fashion schools in New York and India,” she noted.
The minister added that diaspora involvement also plays a critical role in raising the standard of the Guyanese fashion industry, and as such, this will be a key area of focus.
Another scene from the event on Saturday
