The Fashion Avenue

Anya definitely created an avenue for fashion in Trinidad.
Last night's show was quite the spectacle with a runway spread over two giant trucks in the middle of one of the busiest streets in the capital! The turnout was impressive, with people making their way to Adam Smith Square straight after work or school just to catch a glimpse of the celebrated designer who is putting Trinidad on the map.

Anya's patriotic drive is evident in the way she presents anything she does. Her both collections were dedicated to her twin island nation with names like "Tobago Love" and "Carnival of Colour". She said something that stayed with me- that for a couple weeks the world's eye is on Trinidad because of Carnival, but that now it would be on Trinidad for Fashion too! (Sorry world... at the moment we have nothing you can really see, unless you know someone who knows someone who gets their dresses from that wonderful secret talent living in Arima.)

It was all pretty moving and thrilling I have to admit, but, not to be a party pooper, however I do fear that all the hype may be nothing but hot air.

The country loves Anya...now. When she first entered Project Runway there was no big hullabaloo about it. When her sex tape came out, people had the nastiest things to say. Now, she's famous, and a plethora of sponsors and contributors are flocking to help her with anything her dear heart desires. Good for her! But what about the rest of us? If the CAFD students wanted to put on a street-stopping fashion show would Junior Sammy be so willing to lend his assistance? If it were another designer, would the ministries and relevant departments come together to make it happen? Another fashion prodigy can be lurking in our midst. Do we have to wait for them to win some sort of American Reality show before we acknowledge their talent? Newsflash! Anya was designing before her run in with Heidi Klum eh.

"The Fashion Avenue"  

They are declaring Ariapita "The fashion Avenue". Does this mean that spaces would be made for designers to set up their boutiques? Are the roadways going to be organised to make them more conducive for strolling shoppers? Is FWTT going to provide us with 2 weeks a year that coincide with the rest of the fashion capitals of the world? Are we getting a textile mill, or investments in the industry? Are there going to be factories ,or sweatshops (God forbid) ?What does this "Fashion Avenue" mean? I really am hoping for a straight answer.

Anya has done her part, and done so beautifully. I am taken by her humility and grace, despite her international success. We cannot, however, ride on her coat tails forever and only jump up when she organizes something. The girl is doing her- Trinidad needs to do Trinidad. It has been a wonderful distraction while it has lasted, but it is time for us to use her experience in a way to propel the industry as a whole, and to stop focusing on this individual! Don't put all your eggs in one basket TnT!