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Sylvister, Mantel talk Touch of France debut

Published:Sunday | November 17, 2024 | 12:09 AMOmar Tomlinson - Contributor
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Businesswoman Christelle Harris was among the celebrity models cast for designer Tamia Carey’s 22-piece collection titled ‘Festive’.
Quwayne Rose
Businesswoman Christelle Harris was among the celebrity models cast for designer Tamia Carey’s 22-piece collection titled ‘Festive’.
British-Jamaican womenswear designer Mantel (right) with SAINT International model Monipha Thompson.
Quwayne Rose
British-Jamaican womenswear designer Mantel (right) with SAINT International model Monipha Thompson.
Designer Sylvister made the curtain call following his first Touch of France womenswear collection last weekend at the AC Hotel Kingston.
Quwayne Rose
Designer Sylvister made the curtain call following his first Touch of France womenswear collection last weekend at the AC Hotel Kingston.
Shanice Thompson for Kadian Nicely.
Contributed
Shanice Thompson for Kadian Nicely.
SAINT’s Destiny Gregory for Touch of France first-time designer Mantel, who said her creations are for ‘women who want to look and feel elegant’.
Quwayne Rose
SAINT’s Destiny Gregory for Touch of France first-time designer Mantel, who said her creations are for ‘women who want to look and feel elegant’.
Model Davio Henry for designer Sylvister, who shared that his fabric choices of satin, velvet and lace for his collection titled ‘The Eternal Rose’, were intended to ‘reflect the softness and delicate luster of the flower’.
Quwayne Rose
Model Davio Henry for designer Sylvister, who shared that his fabric choices of satin, velvet and lace for his collection titled ‘The Eternal Rose’, were intended to ‘reflect the softness and delicate luster of the flower’.
SAINT model Rihanna Messam for Martiniquan designer Eliette Lesuperbe.
Quwayne Rose
SAINT model Rihanna Messam for Martiniquan designer Eliette Lesuperbe.
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Presenting his first collection at last weekend’s SAINT International-produced Touch of France fashion spectacular left designer Sylvister with a deep sense of pride. “Seeing my vision come to life on the runway, and surrounded by industry experts and peers, validated my hard work and dedication. It was a big confidence booster for me,” beamed the womenswear and menswear designer as he fielded backstage congratulatory handshakes and back pats from newfound fans.

The 38-year-old, christened Orlando Sylvister Samuels at birth, sent a 15-piece collection he titled ‘The Eternal Rose’ down the runway inside the AC Hotel Kingston’s Rocksteady Ballroom for the biennial fashion show, first staged 24 years ago.

Sylvister was one of four Jamaicans on the night’s showcard that included Kadian Nicely, Tamia Carey and Mantel. Martiniquan Eliette Superbe was the fifth designer.

“My collection was inspired by the timeless symbolism of the rose’s allure and also the love language that it conveys,” explained Sylvister, who graduated from the then HEART Trust/NTA Garmex Academy in 2011, with certification in the principles of fashion designing.

“I chose to use fabrics such as satin, velvet and lace for the collection that would reflect the softness and delicate lustre of the flower,” he added.

Also on the debut designer roster was British-Jamaican Mantel, who is back on the island after a long spell in Europe. The former classical and contemporary dancer shifted gears to fashion designing and honed her expertise for an almost two-decade stretch in London. Saturday night saw Mantel unveil a 12-piece collection she said was an embodiment of “beauty and sexiness in clothes for women who want to feel and look elegant”.

“I aim for quality that feels and looks good, as I want to provide my clients with an enhancement to their natural beauty and confidence. My garments are timeless despite the ever-changing fashion trends,” said the returning resident and fashion creative.

Another first-timer at Touch of France, Tamia Carey’s expectations as a designer were exceeded.

“I am still reeling from the unforgettable experience,” she raved, heaping praise on the show’s organiser Deiwght Peters and his team for what she adjudged a seamlessly executed event made only better by its infectious energy.

“What touched my heart most,” the designer confessed, “was the outpouring of love and support from the crowd. In a world where the arts often struggle to thrive, this event was a beacon of hope. Seeing this dedicated community breathe life into these young models’ dreams was truly gratifying.”

Carey’s 22-piece collection, which she dubbed ‘Festive by Tamia’, was awash with Ankara prints, georgettes and satin fabrics.

Her set was punctuated with stunt casting, featuring celebrity model appearances by actress Sharee Elise, businesswoman Christelle Harris, Honorary Consul of Ethiopia in Jamaica Yodit Getachew Hylton, emergency physician Dr Kurdell Espinosa-Campbell and others sashaying on the catwalk for Carey.

As for former SAINT model-turned-go-to-fashion designer Kadian Nicely, her second showing at Touch of France was equally special. “I went with the French theme when I was dreaming up my collection, and it stayed true to my signature of glitz and glam,” explained the designer who broke big after track legend Usain Bolt’s other half Kasi Bennett rocked a Nicely tulle creation for a widely seen pregnancy announcement photo shoot in 2020.

lifestyle@gleanerjm.com