Katia Fitzpatrick has brought a blend of colour, culture, and creativity to Guyana’s fashion industry, and now has plans to take these elements to the rest of the world.
Fitzpatrick, who showcased her designs at the recently concluded Origins Fashion Festival, hails from Lethem in Region Nine and is the visionary behind Matapee Designs – a line that features and showcases indigenous patterns.
She sat down in-studio for an interview with Ignite Television on Wednesday.
Also a dentist by profession, Fitzpatrick shared that she draws inspiration from her Amerindian heritage.
“I love to dress up, I love fashion. I have my heritage from both sides. My mom’s side is the Patamona and Makushi and my dad, Arawaks. So, that influence a lot in Matapee today [and] what it is,” she explained.
Fitzpatrick also zeroed in, telling us more about the unique nature of her designs.
“My designs are unique, they’re free hand paint on the clothes, so I think what fascinates people is the colours I bring to the pieces,” she highlighted.
“That’s one thing that people I think like. The fact that it’s a fashion for everybody, fashion unite people from all backgrounds, from all races–and Guyana is about this. So, what is better than fashion, showing my heritage, and be able to speak through fashion. I am speaking through fashion because all patterns that you see on my outfits, they have a meaning behind these symbols. So, I think people take it in because when they buy a piece from me they’re not just buying a mass produced item. It’s a lot of heart that goes in that piece, hours goes into that piece,” Fitzpatrick related.
She also spoke about what the spotlight of participating in the first Origins Fashion Festival meant to her both personally and professionally.
“Being part of this amazing event has opened so many doors for me. I have so many different people calling me, messaging on all my social media. Professionals from different businesses like Photography messaging me, influencers wanna take part in collaborations and sharing experience and ideas to showcase, highlight the Amerindian culture more. This has been an amazing experience. I met amazing professionals there.”
One of her key pieces displayed at the fashion event, she explained, was the Guyanese dress, which featured authentic Guyanese designs. This is also one of her favourites.
The designer was ecstatic that her male collection was also launched, after much anticipation from her male clientele.
Fitzpatrick also shared that the feedback she received from attendees at the event has been amazing, as they were quite receptive to her fashion concepts. She is now looking to take up her position on the world stage.
“I want to take it internationally now. I started Matapee truly out of passion for my heritage, but it became what it is today. I want to showcase indigenous artistry, and our fashion, patterns to the world. So the world can see us Amerindian people as people with creativity, people that have so much more to offer to the fashion and cultural field,” she said.
Fitzpatrick further stressed the importance of ethical, eco-friendly fashion in today’s world.
“Matapee is a sustainable brand because the fabric I use is mostly linen…I try not to use plastic. The paint I use on my fabric is natural paint. I really care for the environment, and the brand itself speak for it,” she noted.
Fitzpatrick said she’s open to collaborations, not only as it relates to fashion, but also to giving back to communities.
