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It's day 4 of Islands of the World Fashion Week in Nassau and we couldn't be more pleased with what we have seen in the past few days. Founder Owen Bethal created an amazing week of style in the Bahamas that also supported social awareness. "My brief experience at UNESCO in Paris highlighted the fact that designers from developing countries, and particularly island nations required a central showcase to expose their creativity to international markets," said Bethal. And, all of this rang true at the closing reception at the Atlantis. The awards presentation praised designers who use eco-friendly materials in their design, as well as designer Kenneth Cole, who was awarded for his efforts in raising social and political awareness in his ad campaigns. He showed a six-piece collection for both men and women. At the closing show, Los Angeles-based designer Kevan Hall showed an amazing collection devoted to the inspiration of Africa.
Kenneth Cole
Lamaica Fashions from Jamaica
Opama from The Bahamas
Kevan Hall
Producer Tomas Frenes, designer Kevan Hall and Owen Bethal
That night, the invite-only after party was the place to be seen as it was set at internationally known designer Peter Nygard's 150,000 sq. ft. home at Nygard Cay. Models, fashionistas and guests enjoyed celebrating a very exciting week of international fashion at Islands of the World Fashion Week.
Fashion Designer Peter Nygard's home at Nygard Cay in the Bahamas Where the Closing Night Party of Islands of the World Fashion Week Took Place (it rents for $42,000 a night for all of you jet-setting high rollers)
Photos by Factio Media
It's day 3 of Islands of the World Fashion Week and the first show featured the work of designer Harl Taylor, who passed away last year, but whose work lives on through his mother Beverly Taylor. An amazing assortment of handbags, totes and clutches made their way down the runway, each more stunning than the next. Some were more casual for a day on the beach and others could easily hold essentials for an island soiree. We can see why his bags sold at Bergdoff in New York.Other designers who showed on day 3 include Four Season Colonade from Barbados, Carlos Valentino and Garfi Design from The Bahamas, Alida from Cuba, Navazoe from Barbados, and Kimya Glasgow from St. Vincent.
Nole Marin (pictured right), of America's Next Top Model fame, was one of the
fabulous judges for Islands of the World Fashion Week
Islands of the World Fashion Week creator Owen Bethal, noted
fashion designer Kevan Hall and producer Tomas Frenes
Nikolaki by Nick Verreos and David Paul
The stars of the night were former Project Runway contestant Nick Verreos and David Paul of Nikolaki. The duo showed off their newest collection to a packed house. Verreos told us that his collection of crimson red silk gowns and salmon pink strapless cocktail dresses was inspired by the Mexican Cinema and the glamour that went with it.
Nick Verreos and David Paul with their models
Photos by Factio Media
After the show, the celebrity judges, designers and fashionistas headed over to the Marley Resort & Spa for the big after party.
It's day 2 of Islands of the World Fashion Week in Nassau and we are getting an early start to the shows. Impressed by the first show of the day, Luna Designs by Glora Plata showed tremendous craftsmanship of the art of accessories on the runway. The company and products are completely conscious with the environment, using vegetable ivory that used to be used in the 18th century to make buttons. Now they use it in a different way to make accessories. The outcome- gorgeous necklaces, bracelets and rings with unique shapes that are in every sense environmentally friendly. The vibrant colors include yellows, turquoise and pinks created in vibrant colors with eco-friendly vegetable dyes. We loved the oversized rings so much, we bought one for ourselves in turquoise!
Luna Designs from Barbados
Photo by Factio Media
We adored the collection from Nadya designer Nadine Lurey, as the pairings of her separates and techniques of her use of texture and lush color was extremely unique. Originally from Chicago, Nadine began designing by venturing to the Salvation Army to get interesting fabrics like lace curtains and transforming it into a coat. She then began traveling around the world to places like South America before moving to Bali where inspiration has undoubtedly taken a firm standing in her collections. "I actually always like to say that I cook with leftovers because I love putting elements together and when I was first working with materials they were old textiles and pieces that had finite quantity, so I learned to mix and match and do things with kind of a texture and layering technique." Our favorite of her worldy creations were her textured jackets, many of which were reversible with one side revealing a fancy side, while the other was far more casual. Just by wearing one of her pieces, you will appear to look well-traveled.
Nadya from Indonesia
Hupfeld Hoerder from Fiji
Designer Genie Nuttal of Jeannie McQueeny with her models
during Islands of the World Fashion Week
Photos by Factio Media
Carmen Fiol from Cuba
Photo by Factio Media
Other island designers who presented during today's shows included Jeannie McQueeny and Lisa Humes, La Bonne Vie Bahamas and Elements from the Bahamas, Natural Beats from St. Vincent, Desreen Waller from Jamaica, Carmen Fiol from Cuba and Shaun Griffith Perez from Trinidad.
We've just landed in Nassau, Bahamas and we are ready to see 38 of the world island's most talented designers at the first ever Islands of the World Fashion Week! Over the span of 4 days, 21 shows will take place at a transformed space at the British Colonial Hilton, as well as the opening and closing reception at The Atlantis on Paradise Island. As we arrived for the closing night show at the Atlantis on November 5th, we couldn't have been more impressed with what we saw. The space was designed and produced by a former Versace executive Tomas Frenes, so you can imagine the chicness of the set up, including a sophisticated color scheme of a black runway, flanked by black chairs with comfortable sofa's for fashionistas in the back to enjoy the shows comfortably. At the Hilton, the design was just as savvy with countless chandeliers acting as a focal point to the sleek white and black runway. At closing night, we enjoyed an array of eco-friendly designs from island designers, as well as a sleek collection by famed designer of NOIR Illuminati II. Danish designer Peter Ingwersen showcased a brilliant collection of sexy dresses and pantsuits in sensuous fabrics. He has said before "in the West, we dress for sex" and this collection was no different. The colors were in neutral tones of black and white, and Factio favorite, a satiny, hot pink form fitting dress. Celebrity judges we spotted front row included Nole Marin from America's Next Top Model, Aphadi, a famed Paris fashion designer originally from Niger, Susan Stein of Palm Springs, California, Nick Verreos of Project Runway fame, who designs the Nikolaki collection.
Designers who participated in shows earlier that day at the Hilton included Sea, Sex, Sun from Haiti, Van Der Vlugt from Trinidad, Christine Demeritte and Apryl Weech from The Bahamas, Heather Jones from Trinidad, Soka, Poshelle, Tami B. Designs, and Deb E. Barbour from St. Vincent.
Here's a look from some of our favorite pieces from designer Peter Ingwersen of NOIR Illuminati II...
NOIR Illuminati II
NOIR Illuminati II
Photos by Factio Media
Kenneth Cole
Lamaica Fashions from Jamaica
Opama from The Bahamas
Kevan Hall
Producer Tomas Frenes, designer Kevan Hall and Owen Bethal
Fashion Designer Peter Nygard's home at Nygard Cay in the Bahamas Where the Closing Night Party of Islands of the World Fashion Week Took Place (it rents for $42,000 a night for all of you jet-setting high rollers)
