Gifts that Give

 Christmas is very commercialised, let's face it. When the fable of St. Nicholas came around, I don't recall him jumping through the chimney with an iPhone for Daddy and Louboutins for Aunty Joan. The gifts are supposed to be for the chillun'. Nevertheless, I'm not going to pretend that I don't get excited when I see my friends and family scribbling my name on a card attached to a giant shiny box. It is what it is.

If it's one image I can always easily flash to, is that of tired children in sweatshops working their fingers to the bone so that I can get a top for $10 and have it delivered before the 24th. If Christmas is for the children, I hope we all keep these little ones in our minds. When the vibrant "Sale" flags wave at us like some sort of insignia these coming weeks, I urge you to think about the real fashion victims; the people who must suffer to help these giant corporations meet the demand for their under-priced goods.

 I know that everyone has bills to pay and expectations to meet, and the cheaper alternatives of fast fashion are more attractive to our budgets, but I urge you to look for gifts that give this Christmas. Give things that show love, care and thought. How about a meal for your sister's family, if you know she has to scramble to cook on an evening after getting in from Port-of-Spain traffic. How about you treat all your nieces and nephews to a picnic, or trip to the zoo? Instead of buying 25 gifts for each member of the family, why not play Secret Santa and each person buys one really special piece for one other, so that each of you gets something great, made with love from a local artisan or designer? What about a piece of art from a young artist? (Could be worth quite a bit one day)

Want to give it a try? Check out some of these markets and sales for those really special gifts.

PAINT + JEWELS, studio sale featuring Ashley Thompson and Micha Gomes
Dec 5th and 6th Diego Martin





Chez Nous Christmas Showcase (Art, Clothing, Home Decor, etc)
The Verandah Retsaurant, Rust Street, St. Clair
30th  Nov, 7th December

UpMarket
Woodbrook Youth Facility and Trinidad Country Club

Meiling Pre-Collection Sale up to 50% everything at the Boutique
6 Carlos Street, Woodbrook
(New Collection Premiers Wednesday 19th Nov)

The Holistic Market

Trini Christmas Gift Guide

Even the Grinchiest of us cower at the smell of baking hams, soaking fruits and steaming pastelles. Christmas time in Trinidad and Tobago is particularly special since family from abroad escape the cruel winter and come to us! What I'm always most excited about is the gift giving! I research how to wrap them extra fancy every year, and plan way ahead exactly what I'm giving to whom!
I remember last year, I went to collect specially ordered stickers I had printed abroad, that were meant to be labels on my ponche-de-creme. The Skybox courier office was ram packed! This went on for weeks! I did not get my stickers until January! In an effort to avoid that catastrophe this year, I'm getting everything locally!

I have put together a Trini Christmas Gift Guide. Here are some great gift ideas for everyone on your checklist! Did I mention they're all available right here in Trinidad?

1. For the Out-of-Towners

Dek's Black Sorrel Pepper Relish 

At some point each one of us has had to tote bottles of pepper sauce across borders to get to our family and friends abroad. What a great gift this Pepper Relish makes for them! It marries the hottest peppers in the world, with a Trini Christmas staple; Sorrel!
Large Jar TT$50, Small jar TT$20

To Order Contact Dek's at 868.498.9898, deks.tnt.gmail.com, fb.com/deks.tt

I really believe in making food with Love. Good people really just channel their positivity into what they do! I first met the maker of this fantastic and festive hot relish at an Outlet Market. I got there super late and famished, to find that all the food was finished! (Was really looking forward to his shell-less crab and dumpling!) Observing my disappointment and I'm sure after hearing my tummy growl, the gentleman offered me his own lunch! Will never forget the courtesy! Thank you Dek!

2. For the new Home-Owners

Hand Painted Silk Cushion Covers by Melanie Pontifex

Trust me, when you get into your own home, it's your baby! These absolutely exquisite cushions act as a conversation piece, as well as a room brightener. Bring luxe and style to the new home, and excited smiles to the gift receivers! More styles and colours available, including fuchsia for the bold statement makers!

Contact: melaniepontifex@gmail.com, 868.345.3269, fb.com/melaniepontifexartist

3. For the Girls

Amara Organics Savons des Artisans

This beautiful handmade soap collection results from a special collaboration with Artist, Danielle Boodoo Fortune. Amara Organics is already known for wonderfully made soaps, scrubs, balms and butters. This Limited Edition Collector's item just pushes it over the edge. They come in “LOVE SPELL”, “CHERRY MIST”and “LILY OF THE VALLEY” fragrances. Your girlfriends would feel special to be of the select few to have these! The 3 piece Collection costs TT$200.

Contact:868.384.0715, amara.organics@gmail.com, fb.com/amara.organics

4. For the glamorous ones

GLAM GOODIES

My favourite Salon EVER, Cahoots, is having a massive 40% off sale on all Redken, Matrix and Schwarzkopf and Body Bling products! This big name styling products are used by top hair stylists worldwide. They can be quite pricey, but with this amazing discount, put together gifts sets for  mom, sis, the in-laws and hey, why not do one for yourself?

Call Cahoots at 868.622.5393, Located just off of Long Circular road, Port-of-Spain

5.For the special lady in your life

Floralies

Your lady will love you forever if you were keen enough to have her unwrap these on Christmas morning! These gold plated earrings are sprinkled with white swarovski crystals. The design is classic yet simultaneously whimsical and charming. They come from the Anoushka  Line, which is brought to us from Ilmes Jewellery designer, Anna Sabga.  Other exclusive pieces from the Collection are available at Stechers Long Circular, Gulf City and Piarco branches. Floralies cost TT$1110.

To contact the designer email: info@ilmesjewellery.com

6.For the Guys

Dappered Bowties by Mark Eastman

Bowties look great on guys from casual to cocktail! Designer Mark Eastman has brought out "Dappered", his accessory line, catering to the stylish individual. Check out his City Series, inspired by the moods of Port-of-Spain. Styles vary in colour and print, suited to a range of personalities! Look out for them at The Cloth's Pop -Up shop at The Propaganda Space #24 Erthing Road Belmont. Each cost TT$125

Visit fb.com/DapperedbyMarkEastman/info

My fave is the "9 to 5"

Photo by Arnaldo James

7. For your special Guy

 Cufflinks From Rachel Ross

Make him feel special by presenting him with a tiny box this year (we all live by the small package adage). Rachel Ross creates stunning pieces of wearable art. Her Cufflinks are timeless and special, made with sophistication and detail. They are available at Phillipa on Saddle Road Maraval, as well as The Gallery in Long Circular Mall. Listen out for pop-up shops where you may find the designer.
Contact the designer at rrossjewellery@gmail.com, fb.com/rachelrossjewellery

If you would like to subscribe to my blog and have the posts emailed to you first, scroll back to the top and submit your email address! Thank you for reading!

To the new batch of graduate fashion designers

Mark Eastman

For over two weeks now I have been contemplating about writing a review on the Mode Repertoire Fashion Show, put on by the CAFD graduating class of 2013. I felt as though my critique would not be fair nor objective since I was a classmate of many of these students, as well as had experienced much of what they have. I beamed with pride at every design that walked that runway- I couldn't honestly call out the disasters, because I know these young people, and I know their struggles; individually and collectively. It's like an aunt showing off a nephew's finger painting- all she she sees is the love and dedication in the toil, instead of the actual work.

Designer: Adrian Foster

Designer: Darscell Douglass

What I'm going to say will anger some people, but they will not be able to refute. Yes, these students showed us that they have immense talent, and put out some really great collections, but you have no idea what kinds of hurdles they had to overcome. This is why I am doubly proud of them. In my "interview" to get into CAFD,  I was told that many people drop out because the work is difficult. Well, I love difficult. I seem to attract a challenge everywhere I go, but it's a good thing because I work best under pressure. They were wrong, however. People don't leave because it's too hard, people leave because there's a lot of bullshit to deal with. Teachers and students have tirelessly voiced their dissatisfaction with the system and its runnings. Being intolerant of dis-organisation and run around answers, I had to leave. Now don't get mad and call me ungrateful. I cannot deny the wealth of knowledge that I acquired not only in classes, but through my relationships with lecturers and colleagues. I made wonderful friends and discovered talent that I know will make marks in this world. Nothing is perfect, CAFD. Don't get your panties in a bunch because I am openly saying what so many choose to irritably whisper by day in shadowy corridors. With experience and attention I don't doubt that the school has potential. In the media it is glorified. I just hope that it can live up to its name.

Some of my fave (and fab) peeps 

Friend and Designer, Ricky Bhowram with his show-stopping Electric Wedding Dress
( modelled by Former Miss TnT, Athaliah Samuels)

As for the 2013 graduating class, what stood out to me was that many of the looks that were shown, did not look like student work. You can see that certain restraint and maturity came in, with clean, no-fuss designs from many. I spotted several current and future trends. I saw clearly who the designers were in their clothing, as well as who their clients are. The tailoring was fantastic; better than a lot of the practising designers that work throughout the region. the students gave us work that was imaginative yet wearable, beautiful yet innovative. I'm very excited to see what comes of them. I'm hearing that not many of them have plans for the future, but I hope that after a brief hiatus (aka a vacation soaked in indulgent relaxation) that they get the ball rolling. Not everyone has to be an independent designer. I spoke to a graduate who hopes to do work for Meiling, I know of one who is with Janouras and a couple who are working on their business models. There are so many opportunities to be made. Graduates, MAKE your own path.

Graduate now teacher, James Hackett's Line: "The Lush Kingdom"

The amazingly talented, Sarah Woodham

I would like to express heartfelt congratulations to the entire class, as well as the Year 3 students who put down some impressive work at the Designer Critique show as well. Keep dreaming and making it come true.

Supporting Local! I'm in Adrian Foster while Simply Runway Owner, Candice Buccus looks elegant in a J.Angelique pencil skirt. Candice came to the show to allow the graduates to register for an opportunity to have their Collection featured and sold at Simply Runway in a specially designated spot, rent free!

Supporting Local Fashion

For as long as I have been dressing up, I have been wearing imported brands. I am a slave to Guess, Bebe, J. Crew, Macy's-- the whole shabang!

Only when I began formally styling in Trinidad did I realise what an injustice I was committing, not only to the local economy, but to my fellow local fashion enthusiasts! I admit it is much easier to go online and with the matter of a click (and 2 weeks shipping time) all that glitters from Forever 21 and Asos.com are yours. I decided to try it Trini Style. I have been only shopping locally, particularly from local designers and crafters, not so much in local shops with imported merchandise from USA though.

The response? People are noticing! I have never received so many compliments and "Where yuh get that?"s
When I answer them by saying that someone made it for me, or that I bought it from a jewellery designer in Belmont, the reaction is priceless! Why do we look far and wide for fashion when we have it in our backyard? I'm not saying to give up on the Marciano blazers completely, but I am suggesting that you look to our local creators and vendors for gems that make you unique.

Both Dresses attracted quite a lot of attention at two December Weddings! They were both custom made by Janelle Forde for J.Angelique.

Contact the designer at www.jangelique.com


I am also in love with Koko Karibi. See http://www.facebook.com/kokokaribidesigns?fref=ts for all their amazing pieces!

My friend Andrea and I in KoKo Karibi earrings!

Closer look at my earrings

            

Bought this ring for my cousin for Christmas!
(Gifted friends and family with local
fashion this year)

 My boyfriend did a good job getting me this Turquoise necklace from House of Jaipur!