Rogue Seduction – The Fashion Issue Part II
Antilia, the entertainment brand led by the totally unassuming, yet ever so effective force to be reckoned with Simon Khan, his stunning companion Maria Elena Jute and creative director Charisse Parsons, transformed the boutique-chic Carlton Savannah into a one-stop weekend destination of fashion, food and funk.
House music pulsed Sunday last and nubile beauties frolicked in and out of the pool, Trini chicsters styled in cabanas, and leggy models displayed designs by New York-based Trini ‘It’ girl Vashtie Kola and Montreal-influenced Nicholas Salloum.
It seemed hard to imagine that this ultra-modern pied-à-terre was where Queen Elizabeth II, hubby Phillip and the rest of the royal entourage repaired during Her Majesty’s state visit last year to the Twin Republic.
Fact is, the property could sit quite comfortably in New York’s Meat Packing District complete with its Rooftop bar and minimalistic dining areas: CA-SA and Relish.
The event kicked off Friday night and moved elegantly into high gear when weekend compère Tyson Beckford stepped out of the chrome elevator doors and onto Rise, the hotel’s 13 stories-high Rooftop bar and restaurant and into a blaze of flash. So intense was the crush that local photog Sean Drakes was forced to switch into manic gear — arms flashing dramatically as he swished all out of the way… who knew our local pride and joy Tyson, Maas Beckford’s son, could ignite such frenzy!
Tyson mania gave way to Meiling adoration Saturday evening as the swish of silk, click of heels and subtle notes of perfume wafted through the humid air. Waterbaby — a casual pool by day and lounge by night — was the venue, and bartenders bustled as martini, wine, rock and Champagne glasses made the rounds. There were too, the city chicsters eager to see what style influencer and Meiling protégés Anya Ayoung-Chee and Anthony Reid would unveil.
The Collections:
Noir by Meiling
“Black has always been my own personal colour of choice and I want to explore the possibilities and the immense freedom of using one colour.”
“I have always admired Japanese art and culture and this collection is particularly inspired by Japanese origami.”
“The look is minimal but with close attention to detail.”
“When you first see my designs they can appear to be very simple, but as you look closer you notice the subtleties, and it is these details which provide a constant discovery of delights to the eye.”
Pilar By Anya Ayoung-Chee
Pilar by Anya, 2010 collection, was influenced by uniforms, and the uniformity of school and work-wear, as it relates to the lifestyle of Caribbean people.
The world has Madonna and the Caribbean now has its very own.
“I wanted to take the corporate wear and add individuality, sensuous lines and unexpected details.”
“I was always conscious of the aesthetics of the Caribbean landscape…I grew up wearing a uniform to school.”
“The collection brings together the conventional and unconventional ideas of uniformity in dress, for everyday lifestyle.”
“Uniforms are structured, are they not?”
“Unexpected delights like gold piping, flaps, zippers and décolletage.”
A delightful play on ‘corporate shoulders’ complete with embellished sleeves.
Bustier worn with a lapped miniskirt.
“The style is loose and edgy, while still operating within the structured lines and details of the uniform.”
Anya de Rogue
What to wear to bed suddenly got a whole lot less predictable… ” I want women to be much more adventurous, to dare to intoxicate their partners in lingerie so subtly seductive.”
“My models were apprehensive about what their boyfriends would say…after they put the clothes on, however, I saw an immediate transformation.”
“Every time of day is important.”
“Women should have the chance to express their individual style and develop their own identity through clothes.”
Jewellery created for the Anya de Rogue collection by Kristy Collado of Chejo.
Anthony Reid for Meiling
“I told Anthony that he was to show a full collection independent of mine…we often shared billing. It was, however, his time now – he was more than ready”– Meiling Esau
” I want to create clothes that people want to buy.” — Designer Anthony Reid
“I want to see my collection inside Bloomingdale’s.”