Trinidad & Tobago to Become Caribbean Fashion Capital

Trinidad & Tobago to Become Caribbean Fashion Capital
By Verdel Bishop

Trinidad and Tobago is poised to become the fashion capital of the English-speaking Caribbean. Come 2012, the Ministry of Planning Economic and Social Restructuring and fashion industry stakeholders including Fashion Week Trinidad and Tobago Organization (FWTT) the Fashion Association of Trinidad and Tobago (FATT) and the Caribbean Academy of Fashion and Design (CAFD) will join forces in a bid to boost the fashion industry and to host the world at a grand fashion week which according to the Minister of Planning, Economic and Social Restructuring, Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie, will be hosted in late October or early November 2012.

Tewarie, who at the time was speaking to reporters at a press conference at the Ministry of Planning at Eric Williams Financial Complex, Port-of-Spain earlier this week, said this country is on the verge of a booming fashion industry. He noted fashion is on the verge to becoming a successful pillar of economic diversification.

Tewarie said the fashion industry in TT has become better organized and much more impactful and effective over time. He noted the talent was always there, however, admitted that it was Anya Ayoung Chee’s success on Project Runway which has given the local industry additional momentum.

Fashion icon Meiling said FATT has always supported fashion week. She said for the first time the organization will be collaborating with other stake holders. She said she is pleased that for the first time the fashion industry in this country will collaborate for the benefit of themselves and the country.

Meanwhile, fashion icon Claudia Pegus also lauded the government’s efforts. She said she was happy that stakeholders are going to be assisting each other in creating a unique product that TT can offer to the world.