Ebuzz News
Designer Ecliff Elie, Soca’s Go-To Designer.
For yet another year, Trinidad and Tobago menswear designer, Ecliff Elie is the man dominating the carnival scene with his spectacular menswear designs. From Swappi to Teddyson John, Problem Child and Ding Dong, this season, Ecliff’s delivering the wow factor with every stitch and hem.
In the past, the designer has shown his ability to show up and show out on carnival stages, using many soca artistes as models for his creativity. Trinidad and Tobago, his main arena over the past few years, Elie has even penetrated the markets up the islands, laying menswear fashion design claim to territories like Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. From cricketer Darren Sammy to Soca’s Mr. Killa from Grenada and even new sensation, V’Ghn, Elie’s proven that his fit is always a cut above the rest and his touch is magic, something that every client he’s worked with, can attest to.
“What I try to ensure of first and foremost, is the fit. Clothing, whether menswear or female clothing, should always fit well. Once that’s achieved, everything else is window dressing,” he told us. Elie’s styles, when customised for soca artistes like Swappi, SuperBlue and even V’ghn, are often embellished. Much like extravagant costumes worn by international celebrities, Ecliff’s signature pieces, whether jackets alone or complete suits, hold their own on stage, offering the artistes an undeniable opportunity to be seen like no other clothing option would allow.
“I take a lot of pride in how my clients look. Whether it’s a groom, a career professional, a superstar or a casual fetter, at Ecliff Elie we work with the client to match their personality and ambitions, after all, there are some people who, while low key in their professional lives, love to explore fashion options at carnival time,” he said.
Ecliff Elie opened a new menswear store in South Trinidad, at C3 Centre, last year. That store offers on the spot alterations and even boasts Elie’s signature accessories, inclusive of bags, belts, ties and more. “We’re pretty much a one stop shop for quality menswear. We’re a brand that has been built on quality and attention to detail. That will never change,” he assured.
Here’s are just a few of the Ecliff Elie designs that’ve stood out, worn by top billing Caribbean entertainers, over the past year:
Ebuzz News
A Powerful Journey. Calypso Rose Fought All Odds. Queen of the Road Musical, A Necessary Reminder.
Technology, social media and the ease of life we’ve all become so used to in this 21st century, is a far cry from the odds faced and overcome by so many who paved the way. This past weekend in Trinidad and Tobago, the delivery of ‘The Queen of The Road’ musical reminded patrons of this fact, and much more in its walk down memory lane which highlighted the life and times of the incomparable, Calypso Rose.
Queen of the Road, written and directed by Rhoma Spencer, was presented by Yes Productions on both Saturday and Sunday in Trinidad. It was first presented as a workshop in Canada in 2019 before premiering in Tobago in October 2023. The musical begins with Rose’s acceptance of the The Victoire de la Musiq Award- the French equivalent of the Grammy. She won the award in 2017 after releasing the album, ‘Far From Home.’ In her production, Spencer rewinds the life of the 84-year-old, taking the audience on a whirlwind- sometimes harsh, often humor filled, consistently thought-provoking adventure through the childhood, adolescence and adulthood of Calypso Rose.
Photo: Carlyle Morris
Her story, a remarkable testament of each human being’s purpose from birth, is unraveled bit by bit in the musical, with a young Rose played by 11-year-old, Thara Howe- a student of St.Patricks Newtown Girls Primary School. Throughout her on-stage performance, members of the audience could be heard gushing at the effortless ease by which Howe executed her part of the matriarch calypsonian, in her childhood years. “She has a big future ahead,” said one person in the audience.
The adult Rose, played by 2018 Calypso Queen, Stacey Sobers was undeniably the perfect casting. An almost too-close- to- understand re-enactment of the Bethel, Tobago entertainer hears Sobers deliver with ease, songs like, ‘Tempo’, ‘Fire in Me Wire’, ‘Her Majesty’, ‘Leh We Punta, ‘ Young Boy’, and many of the artistes other memorable hit singles. Supporting cast members included, Kearn Samuel as The Mighty Sparrow, Karen Francisco as Rose’s aunt Edith, Theresa Hope who played the very important role of Calypso Rose’s grandmother and Fabrice Barker who played the role of her father – a preacher who went on to leave Rose’s mother and their family for another woman.
Caribbean Buzz
Mother’s Day In Focus: Women Encouraged to Realize Their Divine Role.
There is a divine feminine energy that resides in every woman on the planet. This spiritual energy, while sometimes hidden, is powerful beyond measure, and as Mother’s Day comes into focus, Trinidad and Tobago’s Empress Aje says the time has come, once again, to encourage the country’s women to stand in the beauty and strength of their being.
Her effort to highlight this innate strength is seen in the annual production of her event, ‘The Iba Music Festival.’ Now in its fourth year, the creative showcase returns with love and empowerment at its core. “I don’t think women truly understand what they possess. My effort is to remind women of who they are, the contributions they can make. They must understand that they have a lot of power in their hands- power that can ultimately reach out to change the direction of both men, and children.”
Empress Aje is a woman of impeccable standard who holds fast to the Yoruba tradition. Strengthened by the African teachings of this tradition, she operates solely by spiritual guidance from ‘my ancestors,’ as she explains. Her assignment this Mother’s Day weekend brings the likes of illustrious entertainers, Nisa, Jaron Nurse, Farmer Nappy, Collis Duranty, Stephanie Joseph, Naomi Sinette and Darren Sheppard with NLCB Fonclaire, into focus. Aje will also be a part of the musical lineup, serenading all women on Saturday.
Expanding on her belief in the importance of promoting the divine feminine power in Trinidad and Tobago, Empress Aje says, “More women should be placed in strategic areas of our country’s political landscape.” She believes these women must however understand who they are and add value to the positions they attain.
A prompt 6:30pm commencement carded for Saturday, May 11th’s, Iba Music Festival, Empress Aje assures that variety is at the core of the show. “The event offers great musical variety. As the creative director, I’ve carefully chosen each element of the showcase to deliver positive vibrations on who we are celebrating this weekend.” Added to the live entertainment, the Festival, which is being hosted in the Amphitheatre area, also hosts a number of creative vendors who are being given the opportunity to share their work with patrons. “Initially, I did have second thoughts about hosting the event this year, however I was encouraged to deliver, and I am happy that I listened. Everything has fallen into place,”she said.
Over the past four years, the Iba Music Festival moved from the Little Carib Theatre to the Naparima Bowl. The event was also hosted virtually during the pandemic and even amid that challenge, Empress Aje, a former corporate employee, explained that she was propelled by a higher power, to keep promoting this positive celebration of feminine energy. “In 2022, I was guided to move the show to South. We had artistes like Freetown Collective and Queen Omega, and the event made an enormous impact. We’ve remained in South since that time,” she explained, noting that patrons can expect nothing but good energy, love and enjoyment ahead of Mother’s Day.
“Historically, women were the ones who held the homes together. That has changed, not because of universal law, but because of man’s law and that is probably why we are in the problems we are in now,” said the event organiser. She encourages women to stand up to their divine calling – to once again be true nurturers and solid role models for their children. “If mothers would start back to raise their children and realize their role where family life is concerned, things around us will change,” she emphasized.
For further information on the Iba Music Festival, those interested can call 868-770-1241.
