‘MISSION’ ACCOMPLISHED
Last weekend was the last chance for the three designer finalists — Guyanese Andy Cummings, Trinidadian Carla Gittens and son of The Rock, Kurt Campbell to make a winning impression while presenting individual themed collections for the season four finale of the hit TVJ reality show, Mission Catwalk.
Reaching the homestretch after their television-documented, nine-episode journey of high-fashion trials and successes, Kurt Campbell emerged this season’s champ, securing $500,000 from National Commercial Bank Small and Medium Enterprises Unit; sewing equipment valued at $200,000 from Singer; and the opportunity to unveil his collection at Milan Fashion Week.
AW gives you front-row access to Campbell’s winning designs as well as the runners-up on a runway with the fabled Devon House as an alluring backdrop.
(PHOTOS: KARL McLARTY)
ANDY CUMMINGS
The ‘Journey’ Collection
All Woman (AW): What was the aesthetic you were trying to achieve?
Andy Cummings (AC): The aesthetic I was trying to achieve is the modern Caribbean woman with a sense of African tradition roots that loves to feel free in whatever she has on.
AW: What kinds of fabrics and prints were incorporated into the pieces shown?
AC: The fabrics used were silk, stretch taffeta, chiffon, spandex and also snakeskin prints.
AW: What kind of designer do you consider yourself, and who are your influences?
AC: I consider myself a ready-to-wear urban designer.
CARLA GITTENS
The ‘Summer 365 — With A Few Scattered Showers’ Collection
All Woman (AW): What was the aesthetic you were trying to achieve?
Carla Gittens (CG): My collection represented where I am from and who I am. It was clothing most suited for tropical and exotic countries and meant for the stylish traveller or chic females who attend high-profile parties. I made sure to keep the element of high fashion in my pieces. I stayed true to my other talents, such as costume designing, through my costume backpacks.
AW: What kind of fabrics and prints were incorporated into the pieces shown?
CG: I utilised silks, brocades, crochet net, jacquard and pique fabrics and embellished my pieces with Preciosa glass beads and sewed-on Austrian crystals through embroidery techniques such as tambour beading (a couture practice). My colour palette was made up of ivory, black and lime green with a hint of pastel pink and gold and pulled from trend themes such as Tropical Kitsch and La Vie En Rose.
AW: What kind of designer do you consider yourself, and who are your influences?
CG: I consider myself chic, classy and fabulous, with hints of fantasy and risqué when I’m feeling adventurous. My designer influences are Roberto Cavalli, Elie Saab, Donatella Versace, Stella McCartney, Chanel, Giambattista Valli and my new-found love Stella Jean.
KURT CAMPBELL
The ‘St Victorian’ Collection
All Woman (AW): What was the aesthetic you were trying to achieve?
Kurt Campbell (KC): My collection celebrated the Victorian age, which was a royal, regal and glorious era. Therefore, “St Victorian” is a collection that adds a modern twist to the period. I wanted to emphasise the fact that fashion is cyclical. My design aesthetic is to create classic vintage looks with a modern twist.
AW: What kind of fabrics and prints were incorporated into the pieces shown?
KC: The colours of the fabrics used were royal blue, orange and beige. The fabrics used included peau-de-soie, lace, and pure cotton Ottoman faille, beige chintz, and chenille. The collection was also enhanced with hand-sewn beading of bamboo on various silhouettes and accessorised with the use of handbags created from bamboo and adorned with magnificent vintage hats.
AW:What kind of designer do you consider yourself, and who are your designer influences?
KC: I consider myself a designer who is not afraid to take risks in terms of fabrics, colours, silhouettes, and accessories to manifest my ideas. I have been influenced in my design aesthetic by Alexander McQueen, Coco Chanel, Oscar de la Renta, and Roberto Cavalli.
