Sashi’s fashion fest
The magnificent Rosehall Great House was the venue and backdrop for the Sashi Fashion show or rather happening. Patrons expecting a continuation of last year were somewhat taken aback, when on entering the area the reality of no chairs hit them. This was a fashion show with a festival feel or should I say a La Scala feel.
The music provided by Stone Love was excellent with the talented jocks mixing the modern with the favourites. Patrons dressed in chic, designer threads milled around visiting the few booths. The runway framed by bamboo and lit throughout, was high enough for patrons not to have to worry about getting a full view of the show. White helium balloons, strategically positioned throughout, provided powerful, yet subtle lighting. The show slated to commence at 10 o’clock did not in fact get on the way until 11:03 pm. But all was forgiven once lead model Stacy McKenzie took to the runway.
Fashions by Madonna designer, Malcolm Harris inspired by the colours, rhythms and flavours of Jamaica slapped the moralists fully in the face. These threads were certainly not for the squeamish and the models held together denim, sparkles, and lycra on bodies for the most part lacking in fat and those who had the flesh had no problem showing ample breasts, bottom and thighs.
Harris, who admits to having really studied the Jamaican psyche by watching every Jamaican movie, teased and tested the audience mixing low risers with bikini bottoms, jeans with sheer buttocks, mini skirts which could not help but expose pubic area, jeans with legs dazzling with diamonds, and even the coat dress found a place on the runway.
Thirty two models including Nikki Vassell and the new faces of Sashi came out individually instead of in groups, and because many lacked personality the show dragged in some sections. This gave patrons the opportunity to marvel at the excellent workmanship of hair specialist Andrea “Dee Dy “Wales” of Worldwide Agency. Working from Norma Webster’s salon for some four hours, she had models sporting coloured-strip extensions in their own hair, vintage style hair pieces and full head wigs a la Mary J Blige – the effect was of the work of a true pro, fully cognisant of the message of the designer as well as the true feel of the show. Make-up by Josef Yousef showcased glowing, healthy skin with the use of bronze and muted colours which fully complimented the many hues of the Caribbean.
The final section which introduced hazy tangerine-bronze and frills, flounces – long and short, better showed Malcolm Harris’s range. And for those who might have thought that the pieces were too risque and that perhaps many had not come prepared to shop – designer Malcolm Harris was mobbed at the end of the show by full-bodied women demanding pieces ASAP.
The fashion model wannabes were content to purchase the pieces just worn on the show. The Sashi fashion show was headed by CEO, Sashi Horatio Hamilton; Stacey Chung, event co-rdinator; Walter Elmore; production manager, and fashion show co-ordinator, Charlene Ashley. Of particular note was the excellent transportation crew who allowed patrons to leave with a smile on their faces.
