“It was a dream come true,” shared T&T designer Meiling Esau when SO caught up with her after the private UK showcase, September 12-13, which took place at The Mayfair Hotel — the official hotel of London Fashion Week. The showcase was facilitated by TTCSI (Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries), which worked with London-based luxury fashion consultant David Jones (mentor of some of the world’s biggest designers and developing fashion houses such as Matthew Williamson, Karen Millen and John Galliano) and public relations, branding and design consultant colleague Sharon Louise Laurent to plan and promote the private showing.

Meiling, along with Project Runway Season 9 winner Anya Ayoung-Chee and accessories designer Rachel Ross, presented their Spring/Summer 2013 collections, aptly called “Three Iconic Trinidadian Fashion Brands”.

Meiling unveiled her S/S 2013 collection, which had an elegant urban edge; Anya Ayoung-Chee created a taste of Trinidad with her carnival of colour S/S 2013 offering, while Rachel Ross provided the perfect contemporary accessories with her haute selection of jewellery.

Terry Mansfield, chairman of Graduate Fashion Week, stated that the three collections were very dynamic and had high praises for the organisers of this initiative. Most importantly, word from the buyers was that the collections were of a “high quality and the brands ready for the UK market”.

The reception was sponsored by the Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Tourism and hosted by the country’s High Commissioner Garvin Nicholas.

Editor’s Note: Meiling is this year’s recipient of the Ocean Style Foundation Award and will be in Jamaica to accept the prestigious award on Saturday, November 3 at FashionShowcase 2012 at ATL Automotive Showroom, Bogue City Centre, Montego Bay.