The French/Jamaican Connection
When French ambassador, Pierre-Antoine Berniard, takes his seat Tuesday evening inside the Hilton Ballroom and the first Saint International model takes to the catwalk in designs from the ateliers of Cassking and Gwadlook respectively, those who have made the Jamaican fashion journey will applaud.
They will be applauding, albeit silently, a tradition whose genesis commenced in 1983 when Yves Saint Laurent’s muse Mounia (herself from the French West Indies) stepped elegantly across the stage at the National Stadium.
The winner of that first fashion model title in Jamaica, Denise Sloley, won for herself a trip to Paris but of more significance, access to the world of prêt á porter. Our models have not looked back.
The tradition continued when businessman Ian Levy (at that time a member of Project Help, a charitable organisation) along with Dorothy Carter, Jimmy Moss Solomon and Eran Spiro, actually met Madam Carven in Paris and encouraged her to visit Jamaica. This she did, not once, but twice during the 80s. Madam Carven in fact did more than visit, she brought with her a formidable collection as well as 10 models. The shows held at the then New Kingston Hotel (now the Hilton) were well received.
Tomorrow evening (Tuesday March 23) will be the turn of Angenel Gongier and Patrick Cassin.
Cassking
Patrick Cassin who was born in the French island of Guadeloupe, studied in Paris at the Academie de Coupe Vauclair before working in the luxury prêt á porter at Thierry Mugler as a toiliste (canvas designer) Jamaican designer Sandra Kennedy is also a toiliste, meaning somebody able to interpret the design on a mannequin. The couture way of pattern making.
Cassin, worked in Paris for 25 years and has worked in Martinique with Mounia. He presents one show per year in St Lucia, as well as St Martin and Grenada.
In Guadeloupe where he is now based, Cassin organises two annual shows. His preferred fabrics are silk and its derivatives. His style is evening haute couture and prêt á porter. Patrons attending the show Tuesday evening can look forward to evening dresses and form fitting trends.
Gongier
Gongier who designs under the label Gwadlook has been in the fashion industry since 1982. He first studied the Arts in Guadeloupe before leaving for Paris to attend classes in two fashion institutions “Esmod” and “Joffrin-Burrs”. Now back home, he operates in both Guadeloupe and Martinique, and has had successful shows in Santo Domingo, Grenada as well as France. Gongier, who shows twice annually, works with almost any fabric: silk, cotton, linen, lycra, and polyester. He will tomorrow unveil what’s called ‘Precieuse Creole’ inspired by the traditional Guadeloupe Creole style but adjusted to appeal to today’s fashion forward set.
Gongier does not limit himself to haute couture but also designs swimwear and accessories. He also does prêt á porter, sports wear, and creations in denim material.
Gongier, has won three times the title of best designer of Guadeloupe. The more on this designer is that he is the person who dresses Miss Guadeloupe during the annual Miss France beauty pageant.
