FWTT 2012 Cancelled

Accuse me angrily of not being a patriot- I confess, I am not. This shit hole we live in never fails to disappoint me. With a political history of corruption and moral negligence, I can only see us whirlpooling further into an abyss of ignorance.

Born into an East Indian family, I am subject to the criticism of not being a Doctor nor Lawyer. Newsflash! There are other successful careers that one can pursue! I, however, did not get the memo that my aspirations in culture and intellect serve useless in a society where narrow-mindedness prevails. You really can't teach an old dog new tricks- and this country is one old bitch for real.

I always had dreams of being a fashion designer- No Grandma, not a seamstress, a FASHION DESIGNER. This is a highly sophisticated entrepreneur whose technique and expertise in the fine art make him a master. Of course that dream took the back seat when signing up for UWI, not only since it was unavailable, but because there was no scope for such folly back then. Magically, after suffering through work about which I did not feel passionate, I discovered CAFD on the internet! UTT had come up with a department led by wonderfully talented and experienced staff members and was being backed by our own fashionable Prime Minister! There, handed to me on a platter was the opportunity to win back my dream with the possibility of having it come true. With the CAFD Bachelor Programme came the promise of the unification and strengthening of the local fashion industry! The budget proclaimed a dedication to the upliftment of a new sector! FABULOUS.

I began classes energetically- bursting with excitement to win back the many years that I spent doubting this reality. I was greeted by well-learned teachers with impressive portfolios. The building at John D left a bit to be desired, but I could not be let down- that is, until I heard some of my classmates speak. There was barely a drop of passion anywhere. Some of them had never even looked at a runway show. I still shudder at the memory of "Oscar de Lorenzo" being uttered from a pair of their lips. "They would learn " I thought, "We're in good hands". However, hardly anyone really seemed to be interested in the research- it was work to them! Unbelievable. I was doing this "work" for my own personal enjoyment! The rest of the CAFD experience was bleak- never got exam results, always made to run around, the best teachers were dropping out like flies, there was a total lack of organization and LIES upon LIES!!! This was the first major hint that this uprising of a TT Fashion sector was a fallacy.

FWTT was cancelled two years in a row. This time was to be spent developing a textile mill and a fashion district. So how long does it take to build a factory? How long does it take to rent out stores on one street? Apparently longer than it takes to build bars and stripper poles along the Avenue, or longer than it takes to throw a National Holiday so people could come to the airport and snap pictures of Anil Roberts being the uneducated nuisance that he is to anyone with the faintest appreciation of English Grammar. I agree totally that FWTT is not about throwing a fashion show, but generating a business network that would bring revenue into the country. However, the government is not creating the required infrastructure! Everyone is pointing fingers at the other but Oh Gosh man! Just be honest and say you don't give a shit about diversification. They said they were developing agriculture too and look, still oil and gas.

With all due respect to the Prime Minister, I hope she appreciates the fact, that a major part in her success among the younger demographic at the last election was the fact that she appeared more relatable  and less like an old Tantie such as before. All credit for that is to be given to her Fashion Stylist- because if we weren't distracted by her swanky outfits, maybe we would have been able to take note of the blatant falsehoods she provided.