“Finding inspiration for a collection is a very tedious and thought-provoking process.

“One must search the soul for instances and memories that touch, that resonate… a moment…

“It came in 2015… the illness, death and disposal of my mother’s ashes. To Moruga I went to bid farewell and to take her back to where ‘She Ting Was She Own’.

“That trip to Moruga was one of nostalgia. It brought back childhood memories of picking and eating zabouca under the zabouca tree, cocoa tea, fresh fish broth, the sight of country folk dancing the cocoa, listening to the adults speaking patois and the smell of the sea breeze. I joined a lime with a few of the elders and enjoyed a meal of boiled provision and sautéed codfish washed down with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. I was in heaven. It was too sweet when I listened to the sound of John ‘Buddy’ Williams singing Mama Don’t Cry, Take Me Down to Los Rios and Fitz Vaughn Bryan belting out Me Ting Is Mine.

“It connected the dots of my family’s heritage. She Ting became Me Ting. I was hooked and promised my soul I had to go back.

“Me Ting Is Mine is a manifestation of a collection of nostalgic moments; from the music to the aura and essence of the clothes, the cut and the feel. The warm tropical breeze spoke to my soul… I sell it as I see it!

“I am dreaming under a coconut tree in Moruga and I travel to Castara where crowds descend on My Land. It’s jazz time in the paradise of Tobago. Jazz mostly by the sea where the sun scorches, the Caribbean breeze caresses, adding to the aura and magic of lazy days in the intoxicating aroma of jazz music.

“The feeling is easy, sexy, cool and comfortable… contentment… ahhh, total bliss!

“Skins are bronze —

solei ka boonze ko tout moun, hair is braided, twisted or loose and blowing in the wind or protected under the comfort of hat, cap or scarf.

“The fashion statement is ah this — from the music to the aura and essence of the moment. I am making a Caribbean statement of bright and tropical fashion, indigenous design and flair. Natural fibres, cotton… silk chiffons will work their charm — the collection is, after all, resort, reminiscent of sun, sea and sand. The fabrics breathe as they envelop the bodily curves. Styles are loose, short, strappy to complement bronze shoulders. Some pieces are long and flowing revealing toned thighs. Fabrics dance in the wind… the magic of island style.”