Aaron Moneer rules season seven of Mission Catwalk

In the dynamic realm of Caribbean fashion, the name on most people’s mind is Aaron Moneer, the winner of season seven’s Mission Catwalk. Born in Guyana, Moneer’s journey, spanning from a small island to acquiring dual citizenship in Trinidad and Tobago, mirrors the diversity and vibrancy seen in his colourful designs.

From his early years, Moneer exhibited a relentless passion for art and fashion, one that blossomed despite facing obstacles in completing his formal education. At the age of 19, he boldly unveiled his debut collection during San Fernando Fashion Week 2015, marking the start of Moneer Designs.

Revealing his exceptional talent in fashion, the Trinidadian designer recently secured the coveted season seven title of Mission Catwalk with his collection ‘Sweet Sweet Darling’. The collection showcased a blend of handcrafted elements particularly his signature latticework infused in cheerful line of reds, mustard yellows and whites.

The Mission Catwalk journey was no ordinary catwalk for Moneer. With an outspoken and fierce personality, he quickly became a force to be reckoned with in the local fashion scene. Never one to doubt his work, Moneer approached the competition as a risk worth taking. His confidence, often mistaken for overconfidence by fellow contestants, became a trademark throughout the competition.

“I never doubted my work and would always be confident at what I do,” he asserted. Reflecting on his experience, he shared, “I had fun throughout the challenges. It pushed me to dig deeper in design and go the extra mile.” His standout moment came during the fish leather challenge, where he seamlessly crafted a garment from scratch, showcasing his commitment to detail and uniqueness.

As the competition reached its pinnacle with a daunting final challenge, Moneer’s determination shone through. “Creating two couture pieces in just 48 hours was difficult, but worth it in the end as it helped me to not just secure my place in the top-three, but also exposed me to couture designs and how to infuse my personal style, as well as Caribbean fashion,” he told The Sunday Gleaner.

As part of the many prizes, Moneer will showcase his collection at Paris Fashion Week and receive a scholarship to pursue a fashion programme at the University of Technology, Jamaica. Post-victory, Moneer’s designs exploded across social media, earning him praise from fans and catching the eye of news stations back home. The buzz hasn’t stopped, with interviews awaiting his return and orders pouring in for the pieces that graced the Mission Catwalk runway.

Moneer stated that, “The triumph has set the stage for Moneer Designs to expand. I am contemplating the employment of part-time staff to help with juggling custom orders and interest in the runway pieces. This will help me to pour my focus into the upcoming Paris Fashion Week in September 2024,”

As he gears up for Paris Fashion Week 2024, the anticipation is palpable. While the direction of his new collection remains uncertain, he hinted that, “I haven’t yet decided what I will be creating but I will certainly be incorporating my signature lattice work into some of the pieces.” The mission is accomplished, and Moneer’s designs continue to weave a story of triumph in threads of style and sophistication.

The other two designers who clinched spots in the coveted top-three were runner-up Peabo Sampson from Barbados and second runner-up Monique Morgan Allen from Jamaica.