Just giving you the heads-up here: In case you haven't heard already, Trinidadian Fashion Designer, Meiling, is getting set to reveal her latest pret-a-porter womenswear - and maybe menswear too - collection.
It's carded for November 17th at the Trinidad Hilton; check out the line's Facebook page for info on ticketing.
And you know I'll be giving you more pertinent information on the actual showing, so keep posted!
These days, the fashion world's having a bit of an 80's moment, with all the slouchy jerseys, (a la Alexander Wang, et al) neon prints, (Herve Leger), and acid wash denims (Balmain/Decarnin).
But as child of the 80's myself, this classic Meiling shot by Sonya Sanchez Ariza harnesses the essence of the era perfectly... Maybe that's because it IS an actual 80's Meiling look! Nuff props for making stirrup tights look cool.
It's nice to feature a glimpe of the celebrated designer's other style directions, since most people can't seem to remember that Meiling totally incorporated the London/Soho bohemian look, the hipster vibe and the above 80's rad feel into her classic collections.
Note: model in the pic is the Trinidadian Designer's current Creative Director and longtime contributor, Charisse Parsons.
L.M.N. Harris N.B. Image is courtesy Sonya Sanchez Ariza/Facebook
Sounds a bit harsh, doesn't it? But unfortunately for Claudia Pegus, the esteemed and lauded Caribbean designer from Trinidad & Tobago, it's true.
Upon hearing all the hype and receiving emails from the Islands of the World Fashion Week (IWFW) P.R. team about Pegus designing a line based purely on the light, white West Indian Sea Island Cotton, I said to myself "why is Ms. Pegus doing this?" It just seemed totally gimmicky - like a ploy to simply capitalize on the IWFW's direction on endorsing and promoting the materials of the region. And indeed, it was.
Pegus' strong point lies with the manipulation of rich or structural materials like Taffeta, Organza, Dupioni Silk and such. Whenever she does 'soft and flowy', it looks most believable in watery satins and lace. So why did she whip out an entire line of what seemed to be 17th century underpinnings for ladies in a Victorian court of yore?
There's only one person who does cottons and 'gauzy' well, and that's Meiling. Because of her particular tastes and eye for little details like beading and pin-tucking, Meiling manages to create frothy and delicate delights out of the most simple pieces of voile, eyelet, and tulle.
Claudia's 'woman' is not Meling's easy, breezy island chick who dreamily waltzes around in bare-boned cottons, and as such, this lackluster collection does nothing to build upon Pegus' well-developed reputation as the lone designer who - if ever - could be the haute couturier of the region.
What a shame, especially since the IWFW was heralded by its creators as a prime opportunity for noted and emerging Caribbean designers to garner some attention from the international fashion publications and merchandisers....
Simple, clean, and trendy. Those are the go-to words for illustrating the hi-end/low-end Trinidad fashion aesthetic that was recently wafted together for women's clothing store Micles by Fashion Design veteran and AuC favourite, Meiling.
Presented on the evening of Tuesday 24th June at the popular Zen Nightclub in Port of Spain, Trinidad, the MSquared line was as its promotional material promised: a stylish and simple look done by the lauded designer, but made affordable to all through a shrewd association with the long-standing Micles fashion store.
Whilst the line held not much of the trademark 'Meiling' look, staying away from delicate manipulations of the fabric and leaning heavily on wearable & interchangeable pieces, M Squared still managed to deliver on the the designer's priceless panache.
Flaunting a multiplicity of wrapped front dresses; flouncy, easy skirts; layered camisoles; shirts & tees and an array of lively prime colours, the line had all the flair and understated, 'throw-away' style that exemplifies the 'Caribbean cool' confidence of the Meiling woman.
The M Squared line goes on sale this Friday 4th July (Happy US Independence!!!) at Micles stores, Trinidad.
It's a common practice on the international fashion circuit: renowned designers and fashion houses routinely team up with general fare merchandising chain stores and clothing outlets to create low-end versions of their luxe designs. Oscar de La Renta did it with his 'O' by Oscar line for Macy's; Issac Mizrahi's doing it for Target, along with Proenza Schouler, Eric Featherson, and others; Roberto Cavalli did it for the European chain, H&M; and now Trinidad's beloved minimalist, Meiling, is doing it with the everyday basic wear store of the island, Micles.
The fashion veteran Meiling Esau, who was recently honoured at the Caribbean Fashion Week in Jamaica, is doing something that she normally doesn't: embracing a trend. The merger between the two entities is supposed to bring the classy ease of the Meiling label to the main streets of Trinidad, making the designs more available and affordable to the masses. It's also a major fashion credibility boost for the clothing variety store, Micles, which is currently the place one would go to buy the basics - white tee, strappy vest, etc - and the extras like stockings, graduation dresses, cocktail outfits, jewelery and what not.
With a Micles/Meiling/Msquared retail store of sorts set to open its doors in the newly renovated shopping emporium, The Falls at West Mall, Trinidad, and with a major fashion show carded on Tuesday 24th at the Zen nightclub, this could simply be a promotional ploy for Micles; to have a big bang for their new store. Or it could be just a way for Meiling to ensure that she doesn't alienate the regular buying public with her cool handed designs. Whichever the slant, I don't think this will cheapen the Meiling name - remember, she's done mass lines before with the youth oriented Zed Meiling store in POS. I'm glad this is happening, because it shows that our noted and loved designers and merchants are thinking about more than the bottom line by thinking about their customers.
So, this page has been idle for a bit, due to some impromptu travel plans I've had within the past few months. But I'm fully back, and armed with the promised pics from the May 29th conclusion of Fashion Week Trinidad & Tobago!
Amongst the designers who showed their works were my always favourite Meiling, Millhouse, Claudia Pegus, Kaj Designs, Francis Hendy, Ecliff Elie, Zadd & Eastman (Fantastic Showing!!!) and others.
Unfortunately, I only attended the final night and expected a grand finale - a big Ta Da - but the night was poorly organizedand the fashions that were shown were not accompanied by some sort of tag or sign that indicated who designed what...
I mean, from my front row vantage point, I witnessed a flummoxed Peter Elias audibly shooing people/models/some folks across the front ramp area, whilst the actual show was going on! At the start of the showing, a jarring hip hop tune blasted out in the middle of the National Anthem, and the lights were dimmed at least twice on models as they walked the runway!
So beyond the fact that the colourful cotton dresses on Ms. T&T/Universe Anya Ayoung-Chee & Top model Raeanne Vialva were done by Meiling, the FANTASTIC and colourful strip-styled pieces were by Zadd & Eastman, and that the fierce animal printed pieces were by Kaj Designs, I can't say who did what! If by chance you know who the designers are, feel free to let me know, comment or drop me a line at aucourantinthecaribbean@gmail.com
