Fashion Buzz
Archived: Trinidad and Tobago, Artiste Created Island Brand Promises Comfort For Women.
“It’s Carib or Amerindian for ‘of the sun’…. You know me, I have this earthly kinda vibe and I like all these island stuff. I like to represent the island vibe.”
Stephanie says onesies in her swimwear collection are customisable.
That’s just how Trinidad and Tobago singer, Stephanie Kalloo described her move to enter the merchandising market in a chat recently with EBUZZTT.COM. The young singer who’s been in the music game for a few years, having delivered songs like, ‘Somebody,’ ‘Take It Up’ and ‘Dan It Up’ with fellow Trinidad and Tobago entertainer, Mark Hardy, is now the face and name behind a brand called, WeJu Wear, which is in every sense of the word, an island style line. According to the young entrepreneur, items are customisable- something that will allow those interested to make their purchases, uniquely theirs.
WeJu Interchangeable sandals.
“This is like my thing to let women understand that they don’t always have to fit in- they don’t always have to wear heels. This is meant to encourage women to just be comfortable and still be stylish,” said Kalloo. She said this is the reason behind her choice of an interchangeable strap for the sandal. “They can always switch it up and put their own personal flair into what’s being worn. They can add different colour straps. The ‘onesie’ swimwear is customisable so that they can put whatever slogan they’d like on it but I’ll have a few signature pieces to put out there, so folks can look forward to that soon,” she said.
Separately, Stef told EBUZZTT that she’s got a new song set for release soon. “It’s called ‘Pretty Pretty’. It’ll be launched by VP Records on July 1st and I did that with Collin Yorke AKA Bulby, a producer from Jamaica,”said Kalloo. She explained that she’s recorded three songs in Jamaica and this will be the first of those releases. “The vibe is real old school, dancehall but with a new flavour in the mix- a pop flavour. I can’t wait for people to hear it,” she said excitedly.
With plans afoot to market both her clothing line and music simultaneously, Stephanie said people can expect to see her wearing much of her clothing in video shoots and around the town. The WeJu line is visible and available via online social media platforms- Facebook and Instagram. “I really see women who’re on the go rocking this line of clothing. It’s comfortable!” she reiterated. She says she has plans to get Caribbean celebrities to rock her WeJu line, another marketing and branding effort she’ll be employing. On a final note, Stef told us a percentage of all sales will go toward her children’s foundation, “Precious Are We Foundation.” The money, she explained will help in purchasing books, food and clothing for at least one child, each month.
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Fashion Buzz
Carnival Shines More Light on T&T’s Fashion Industry.
In Trinidad and Tobago, the concept of Carnival fashion isn’t a stretch. Over the years, fashion has taken centre stage in the Trinidad and Tobago carnival. All inclusive fetes in particular, are known to encourage the fashion conscious to do the most, punctuating the experience with looks that are straight out of fashion magazines.
Last week, at Carnival Is Fashion 2, fashion, music and masquerade were celebrated in a splendid showcase of artistic and imaginative talent at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain. Design houses, The Cloth, Zadd & Eastman, Dianne Hunt / Tennessee Ramnarinesingh, DAWW Creations, Indigenous Philosophy by Dominique La Roche, SGP Resort, SM Warner…Art with Attitude, Yesa Designs, Mark Eastman, Elizabeth Lucas, Lost Tribe, and special guest designer April Walker were among the designers who showed off their pieces to a near capacity audience at the Grand Stage at the Savannah. Entertainers Nailah Blackman and Patrice Roberts were included in the mix, as cultural elements such as well as the Blue Devil, Jab Jab, Bats, Moko Jumbies and a Tambu Bamboo band.
Carnival Is Fashion 2 was conceptualised and produced by Richard Young. The National Carnival Commission says it is committed to placing a spotlight on all dimensions of Carnival, while appealing to diverse audiences.
Fashion Buzz
Trini Fashion Designer Brings Caribbean Cultural Ethos To Clarks Footwear Brand.
A Trinidad born fashion designer is making his presence felt internationally. Joshua Joseph of New York-based fashion brand, Rebels to Dons, has joined forces with classic shoemaker, Clarks Originals and American designer Ronnie Fieg, to create an exclusive new design.
The design was released on June 30th, online and commerated with an in-store event at menswear boutique Blue in Green. The landmark Rebels to Dons x Clarks shoe is part of 8th Street — the innovative sub-label by Kith founder Ronnie Fieg.
The collaboration marks the next major chapter in the Caribbean’s storied relationship with the British brand. For decades, Clarks Shoes have remained a preferred footwear brand in the islands with many Caribbean artistes even highlighting the brand in their music. In turn, the brand has released many Caribbean-inspired collections over the years. Joseph however, is the first Caribbean-born designer to create his own Clark’s silhouette.
“It’s exciting to work with such a classic brand that has been a part of our culture for so long,” said Joseph. “As the designer, I see this as an opportunity to give a sense of ownership to the people that truly embodied and embraced this brand so much,” he continued.
For his landmark project, Joseph took inspiration from the late 1970s and 80s, when a new wave of Caribbean immigrants imported their distinctive fashion (and eternal love for Clarks) into New York City’s streetwear lexicon. Honoring the two places that shaped him as a designer, “I wanted the design to show how the city and the islands are connected through style,” said Joseph.
With this in mind, the designer reimagined Fieg’s Clarks maycliffe into a mule, incorporating dynamic details that can morph into the wearer’s day-to-night flex. “This is something that you can dress up and dress down, all at the same time,” he explained.
Made of natural tan nubuck leather, the mule features hallmarks of the Clarks brand, from the crepe outsole to stitched upper detailing. Personalization comes courtesy two removable fringed straps, one in a matching tan nubuck, and the other a nubuck brun. These trimmed straps can be swapped or layered together.
By remixing these detachable accents, one can transform the mule, “from simple to extravagant,” said Joseph. “This one design gives you room to do as much as you want,” he highlighted.
Expressive, adaptable adornments cut to the core of Joseph’s overall ethos at Rebels to Dons. The brand has garnered wide acclaim for their radical reinterpretation of streetwear staples, splicing together kinetic colors, patchwork textures and off-kilter silhouettes to form something truly surreal. “For us, embellishments are our way of disrupting the familiar and making something unexpected,” explained Joseph. “And our Clarks mule captures that spirit.”
The Rebels to Dons x Clarks maycliffe mule have been released in a limited edition run. They will be sold exclusively online via the Rebels to Dons website rebelstodons.com. The closing event to celebrate the launch will take place at Soho Beach House in Miami on July 30th.
