When the Covid-19 pandemic reared its head in the aftermath of Trinidad and Tobago’s carnival this past March, Caribbean menswear designer Ecliff Elie had only five months prior, opened his new design house at C3 Centre in San Fernando, South Trinidad. His atelier location in Woodbrook, Port-of-Spain maintained its market position, posturing the designer’s imminent rise to regionwide gratification, by all markers. He never expected what eventually came; a pandemic that would bring great uncertainty, but with it, even greater lessons.
The Caribbean menswear aesthetic continues to blossom into something of its own niche character, Elie believes, and because of this, he has had unwavering hope for the industry despite the pandemic. “There have been wonderful lessons learnt by the Ecliff Elie team in the past nine months,” he says, explaining that business equates to risk and one must be strong, enduring and fearless to combat the effects of such risk. “This period, while extremely daunting for many, opened my eyes as a business owner to many things, and I’ve weathered the storm very well. I have been able to keep all of my employees over the past nine months and that came with the implementation of more effective business strategies,” he explained.
Ecliff Elie says he has learnt some very helpful lessons during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Restrictions imposed as a direct result of Covid-19, in Trinidad and Tobago and across the Caribbean has certainly affected sales to some degree, however Elie says he remains steadfast and resolute in his belief that this storm of sorts, will soon pass. “Weathering the storm requires a lot of patience but it also demands resilience. What we’ve done during this period proved effective for the long-term business strategy. Virtual consultations, available at www.ecliffelie.co may have been overlooked prior to the pandemic, and it’s actually an effective method of reaching clients around the world,” said Elie. In fact, he explains, he’s seen increased regional sales during Covid-19.
The male client, Elie’s target demographic, continues to be acutely marketed to, particularly during the present Christmas season. “While we understand that for many, these are some tough financial times, we also feel that men require emotional support during this time,” said Elie. “Because men are often required to be strong in the face of hardship, the man’s emotional pain can be overlooked. In the same way a woman feels good when she purchases a new pair of shoes or a new dress, we believe men should feel comfortable releasing their stress with a little shopping from time to time,” said the designer.
Ecliff Elie’s Southern branch offers off-the-rack suits that can be altered for fit on spot. “While dinner parties and New Year’s Eve events may be very limited this year, we’d like to encourage our Caribbean men to boost their spirit and feel good despite the effects of this pandemic. It’s been a tough year, but we must have the right attitude heading into 2021, which will ultimately determine our altitude. For some reason, stepping into Ecliff Elie has a way of changing attitudes,” he said.
To say he was intrigued, is an understatement. An interaction between the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and young T&T sensation, Yung Bredda, has now gone viral and the look of adoration and hope on the face of Prim Minister, Dr. Gonzales speaks volumes.
Trinidad and Tobago has ushered in a new dawn with a shining example of youthful leadership and promise, in Akhenaton Lewis – the artiste known as Yung Bredda. He met Prime Minister Gonzalves on Monday as he arrived in the West Indian territory, sharing his musical gift and bringing a smile to the face of the CARICOM nation’s leader.
Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonzales with Yung Bredda and his team in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The interaction, shared by Dr. Gonzalves via social media, has since been shared multiple times across the internet, proving to be a truly proud moment for many who have been following the 24-year-old’s career and genuinely rooting for him. “From Sealots to the Prime Minister’s house,” one fan commented, reflecting on Lewis’ journey thus far, and highlighting his rise from the humblest of beginnings, having been born and raised in one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most unsung communities.
In the video, Yung Bredda is heard singing his 2025 hit single, ‘Greatest Bend Over’ before delving into his 2025 Calypso Monarch contender, ‘We Rise,’ which brought him the 3rd place prize in the competition on March 2nd. “That is the whole of society, everybody. We all do our part. Not just individualism. People working together and doing it in love,” said Dr. Gonzalves to the entertainer as he completed his brief rendition. It was a moment to be remembered.
Yung Bredda has had a phenomenal run over the past few months, jumping out of Carnival 2025 in Trinidad and Tobago on an extremely sturdy pedestal. He traveled to Canada last weekend, performing at Return Fete, before heading to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Trinidad and Tobago’s 2025 Carnival season was pretty much a blockbuster movie – a critically acclaimed experience that nobody could’ve possibly been truly prepared for. Three months of full-fledged, hyper-energetic ecstasy culminated with the traditional mas on the road experience that many travel from parts far and wide to enjoy, annually. This year, YUMA provided an experience for not only seasoned masqueraders, but many newcomers who’ve already co-signed with friends and family, to do it again, and again, and again.
1. COSTUME DESIGN AND QUALITY:
Marie Collette wearing her design, ‘Poui’. PHOTO: @idouglasphoto
For quite a number of years, the YUMA brand has maneuvered the carnival landscape, with its designers like Rawle Permanand and Marie Collette, delivering exquisite costumes for the road. This year was no different. The costume quality and beauty stood effectively, leaving very little, if anything more to be desired. The band’s ‘Echoes of IERE’ theme featured sections like Marie Collette’s ‘Poui’ in a choice of a vivacious hot pink or an eye-catching bright yellow. Collette herself paraded the streets of Port-of-Spain on Carnival Tuesday in the full hardline ensemble in her choice of bright yellow. The beauty and quality of her costume was unmistakeable. Other sections included Flambeaux, Hibiscus, Magnificent 7, Masala, Nariva, Riddim, Iere, Emperor, Echoes, Castara, Doux Doux Dahlin, Bucco and Bae-Go- rounding off the total street design showcase to 14. When it came time to show off and show out, the vibrance of the intricate designs and captivating kaleidoscope of colour, could not be ignored.
2. PROFESSIONALISM AND EFFICIENCY
YUMA costume designer, Rawle Permanand on the road on carnival Tuesday.
Whether in part owed to its partnerships with brands like Digicel, Dasani, Hennessy, Johnnie Walker, Maybelline New York, Ocean Spray, VISA, Red Bull, Coca Cola, Shine Distributors, Skins, Hai Trim and Feathers, Carib, Jose Cuervo and Guinness, or simply its distinct and intentional effort to provide its masqueraders with the very best money can buy, YUMA once again delivered on customer satisfaction. From the costume collection where masqueraders received backpacks, which held a variety of goodies inside, inclusive of two branded aluminum cups and other necessities that would be appreciated for the road experience, and beyond, to the effort shown by drink attendants and security staff to minimize discomfort in any way, and of course, the detail and attention paid to their lunch stop, many basked in the YUMA vibe and professionalism throughout the two-day experience.
3. MUSIC SELECTION AND VIBE
Music selection is a big deal. The YUMA DJ selection proved top tier on Carnival Monday and Tuesday with the likes of Whitney Husbands, DJ Linx, Kevon X, Major Penny, DJ Jel, Selector Snappy and Deejay Kareem and others pleasing masqueraders with tunes from ‘tune land.’ Soca was the order and the DJs did not disappoint.
4. THE PEOPLE WHO BRING THE VIBE
Jadel played in the section, ‘Echoes’ designed by Rawle Permanand.
YUMA has always been known to be the band of the superstars. This year was no different, with a slate of popular faces in the mix, inclusive of influencers like Anil and Kineta James, Neicey bwoss, model, Mela, Charlotte Wingham, Carnival Sabrina, cricketer, Dwayne Bravo, and others. Soca artistes like Jadel, Lyrikal, Lady Lava, Voice, The A Team Band and others were also a part of the vibe. “As an artiste, I can say the artistes were treated amazing. We got VISA bands for YUMA and I loved the fact that YUMA had The A Team band LIVE. That was so entertaining and masqueraders appreciated that so much. A lot of mas bands do not bring that live band element to the road and that live band on the road, did it for me,” Jadel told Ebuzztt. She also said the drinks truck was on point. “I had no problems with the drinks at all, the courtesies extended were amazing. The whole vibe- the energy was just love – love and happiness and unity,” she added.
5. READY- FOR- ANYTHING MASQUERADERS
With social media and trend-setting being the kill-joy for many in the carnival space, it would be remiss of us not to mention the fact that on the road, masquerading was the order in YUMA. While there were moments for the ‘gram’ and TikTok, this did not take away from the overall energy of the people on the road. Beautiful women, handsome men – all up for the thrill of the carnival roadshow experience, immersed themselves in the music of the season and showed off their effervescent nature, making it abundantly clear that YUMA just might be THE band to truly bring the VIBES, not just in 2025 but way into the years ahead.
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