Highs & Lows of BB Fashion Week

This weekend past saw the event that all fashionistas in Barbados were waiting for – BB Fashion Week. After last year’s event at the Concord Experience, everyone was expecting another brilliant production and staging, especially with the additional publicity the show was getting this year, not to mention the fact that Christian Siriano himself was coming to show his pieces. Unfortunately, we were all a bit let down this year.

It would be unfair to expect the same level of production as last year (which was slightly overdone) with the weakened economy, however, this year was on the total opposite end of the spectrum. I would have definitely praised the production had this been any other fashion show in Barbados, but when you want to brand this as the premier fashion event of the island, then perhaps a balance of last year’s excessiveness and this year’s plainer motif would have been perfect.

To everyone’s disappointment, but not surprise, each show started late. Yes, there was rain on the first and last nights of the events, but Saturday night started when the actual show was supposed to end, and that was without any weather related setbacks. It should also be noted that the event specialists should learn how to light for a catwalk, as the lighting for such a show should be catered to the photographers and the last night’s lighting for Christian Siriano’s show was more than appalling.

With all that being said, the event was well attended by the fashion conscious of the island and event producer Rodney Powers brought over some VIPs, including Fashion TV UK, who are very interested in getting involved with the fashion community in Barbados.

Day one saw Barbados' very own designers, and showcased the two finalists of the wearable art competition, Kesia Estwick and Rykii De Jude, who was the winner.

 Rykii De Jude's winning design (Photo by Mikey Rapley)

This year, Kesia Estwick’s line was a tribute to her mother, and as a result the collection was very toned down. She also threw in some colour this year and I don’t think anyone was disappointed with this side of Kesia.

Kesia Estwick's wearable art piece (left) & one of her dresses (Photos by Mikey Rapley)

Andrew Harris definitely stepped his game up this year, producing some very relevant and vibrant men’s wear and, for the first time, female outfits, all of which were youthful yet elegant.

Andrew Harris presented vibrant, elegant wear for women and men (Photos by Mikey Rapley)

The highlight of the night however, had to be the new girl on the block Alexis Campbell, who also took home the Award for Best Barbadian Designer. Her designs were reminiscent of warrior princesses with white tunics, held together by leather shoulder pads and belts as, as well as copper chainmail. The male models looked like the girls’ bodyguards and the queen piece had a copper chestplate which really strengthened the otherwise elegant gown.

Alexis Campbell's looks were a highlight of the night (Photos by Mikey Rapley)

Other designers who showed that night included Janelle J Forde (J’Angelique Clothing) and Christina Goddard, as well as Cassandra Motley, who presented some very sexy swimsuits. Praxis (the store) also showed off their current collection. The final catwalk show was at Chin Chin, where Simon Peter presented his latest collection.

More pictures by Mikey Rapley from the first night:

The second night was for other Caribbean designers, who all had their individual style and vision. One such designer was Sharleen Jaeyluinc who creatively fused mutli-coloured plaid prints with black material to produce some very funky outfits. And Stacy Smith had a fun collection of very wearable swimwear.

Designs by Sharleen Jaeyluinc (left)  and Stacy Smith (Photos by Alex Jackson of KeDrew)

The hand painted designs of S.M. Warner (Art with Attitude) were applied to the simple, yet elegant silhouettes of his  dresses to create some wearable art. Other designers of the night included Kimon Baptiste (Kimistic Designs), Anthony Redhead (House of Red), Marice Lindey-Desanto, Darren Axe and Susan Burrowes & Deniese Dennis.

S.M. Warner's designs were like wearable art (Photo by Mikey Rapley)

More photos from the second night of BB Fashion Week:

Nexcyx kicked off the finale of BB Fashion Week, not failing to deliver an outstanding performance as always.

Neither did Christian Siriano, who showcased pieces from his 2010-2012 collections, but the way he presented them, you could have believed they were all a part of one collection. The tailoring, draping and use of materials really did set him apart from the rest of the designers of the week and was a great finish to the whole event.

Christian Siriano's designs were the showstoppers of the weekend (Photos by Mikey Rapley)

All in all, BB Fashion Week was successful, minus the critical details. We hope that in 2012 the event will be in the fashion spotlight where it truly belongs with all the international interest that this year has brought.

Check out more of Christian Siriano's looks from BB Fashion Week below! (Photos below by Mikey Rapley)