People are Funny about Money

We can talk to our friends about ANYTHING! People share intimate details about their sex life and would even give graphic insight into what their bowels are up to these days. God forbid some one brings up money! It's silly really. It's more probable that someone would open up to you about their pierced clitoris before they even begin to utter a word about their finances.

Well I am not one to stay quiet about anything (a blessing and a curse) and I want to say what people are scared to. I graduated with honours for my Bachelor of Arts degree 6 years ago. I had 2 years of work experience before any medical student my age even completed their internship. How is it logical, that they are paid more than I am today? How can we talk about diversifying the economy and branching away from the norm when we only reward the stereotypical "high status" jobs?

Almost all of my friends are doctors. That's what happens when you go to SAGHS. They are all intelligent, confident and hard working. We all are intellectually compatible and share similar lifestyle interests. Do you think that one of these friends would ever be asked to work for free? Why is it then, that in Trinidad, it is acceptable that professionals in the creative industries are asked confidently by our leaders to work for nothing more than their name in fine print?

Soowan Bramble
Gary Jordan Photography
www.flickr.com

Following a publication made on catalogs.com, a fashion model was listed as the top job to have in the fashion industry. Every Trini fashion model reading this just spat out her drink. I know girls in Trinidad with fantastic talent when it comes to modelling. Shan Fernandez, Soowan Bramble and Danielle Tardieu Moze are some of my favourites. These are some of the faces that you see everywhere! Down to on fete tickets you see Lisa See Tai! Every fashion show, every ad, every promotion- These girls are working their tight asses off. It is a shame that sometimes they are asked to work for free! Worse- that they have to run down people to get the payment that was promised to them in case of a paying job! (Trust me- I have been on the other end of that phone-call when models are calling and asking for payment. Ah. The beloved internship) It is no wonder all our talent jumps at any opportunity to go abroad! Why would anyone want to stick around where they aren't appreciated? I bet if Soowan became the next Victoria Secret Angel that EVERY local company would be desperate to get her face on their product. *Cough* Anya *Cough* Bmobile*

Danielle Moze
Photography by Barry Williams
For J'adore Accessories

I had a quite honest and open conversation with a very experienced young woman in the field who shared my sentiment. We have both spent thousands on our education (as have many other local designers and creative minds) and have developed an admirable work ethic as a result of the many obstacles that present themselves in such an industry. It is not right that we continue to accept this half-assed respect.

I urge all members of this industry- photographers, stylists, models, designers, graphic artists, MUA's, Hair stylists, painters, illustrators, pattern makers, garment technicians, DJ's, MC's, singers, writers, actors, dancers-- if you have a skill that you have polished through years of education, formation and diligence, raise the bar. Do not accept less than what you are worth. The world as we know it has evolved through design and imagination. Your thoughts are invaluable. If we continue to be shy and not stand up for what we truly deserve, this industry will never grow.

To see the top 10 best Careers in Fashion in USA seehttp://www.catalogs.com/info/bestof/top-10-careers-in-fashion

Pretty Please

I was just looking at the review of another one of those fashion fora where an analyst discussed the necessary efforts, such as (manufacturing, e-commerce, etc) for the advancement of the fashion industry in Trinidad. The usual elephant in the room raised his trunk at me. There is an important issue that no one mentions. It is quite apparent, and we all know it, yet it seems like we are scared to say it.

A lot of the local designs are...well... ugly! Hear me out. There is so much investigation going into how we should market the Caribbean aesthetic, and I am fully on board with all of the suggestions. However, a significant obstacle for the industry is that Trinidadians just are not biting. This is partly due to the fact that a vast majority of local "designers" produce undesirable garments. People don't want to buy ugly, unwearable clothes!

While I was looking at the programme on CTV this evening, footage of some fashion show was displayed, and most of the designs were in poor taste! They were obviously constructed horribly, there was no cohesion in the looks of the collections, the designs were definitely not relevant with any fashion era I could think of, and even the models looked like absolute amateurs! A fashion show is the stage for the public to view what the designer has to offer. If what you have to offer is tacky polyester/spandex ruffly ill-fitting stupidness- Please desist from "representing" Trinidad fashion. You are contributing to our problem.

The ideal representative designers who will be able to help propel our Fashion industry as one which can compete internationally and relevantly, are those who are thoroughly educated in terms of design concepts, fashion marketing, their target client, trend forecasts, knowledge of fabrics and detailed tailoring and construction. They are those who can put this knowledge into practice, as well as provide for the demand with an efficient manufacturing method as well as transaction strategies. They work according to the international fashion week timeline, and have developed internet networks as well as physical stations where clients can interact with the fashion. They have a concept about what they want to represent aesthetically and otherwise  and commit to this with any form of merchandising that they put forward. And last but not least, they have a good idea about what real women wear- they have incorporated a stylist to help determine the most appropriate colour-ways and silhouettes for their collections.

So before you think it is as easy as stitching together two old pieces of cloth and calling yourself a designer, use this as a checklist. And pretty please, make our fashion pretty, please.