The fashion story for the New Year – 2020 was keenly laid out at COLLECTION MODA in Jamaica as a few seasoned designers and some rising stars in the design world brought their A-game to the Moda Runway. This year’s theme “Glow” was fully realized as fashion designers; KORTO MOMOLU (USA/Liberia), CARLTON JONES (USA), CLAUDIA PEGUS (Trinidad & Tobago), LISU VEGA (USA/Venezuela), JOSHUA CHRISTENSEN (USA), KIMON BAPTISTE (St.Vincent & the Grenadines), GERMAINE SMITH (British Virgin Islands) and PREMIER GENTLEMEN (Jamaica) dusted the runway with their latest creations, designed for Spring/Summer and Resort 2020.

COLLECTION-MODA-GERMAINE-SMITH-

LEARNING THE “ROPES”

After a showcase of aerial gymnastics spiked by dancing from Jamaica’s National Dance Theater Company (NDTC), it was time for fashion. Leading the misc-en-scene was Miami based Venezuelan designer LISU VEGA who brought her `rope as armor’ wearable art collection to life. A beautiful, colorful sustainable rope was artfully placed, or wrapped on easy shift dresses in simple silhouettes. Lisu started out as a plastic artist, now she’s incorporated art concepts into her fledgling fashion brand.

“I AM A REGIONALIST”

Next on the runway was legendary Trinidadian design icon CLAUDIA PEGUS, who showed elegant slices of fashion with a collection called “Living 4 Local.” Her seductive black chiffon gowns revealed silver jeweled bikini’s underneath. These sexy kittens led into a seduction of soft pastels in sheer tops with natural silk skirts in unique color clashes like pink and orange, and, lemon yellow and green were among the highlights of Claudia’s collection. Claudia told me backstage, before the show; “I am a regionalist, every collection I do is Caribbean elegance, charging us to put our best foot forward…the story never changes. I’m all about the Caribbean – we bring it, we sell it, we love it.” Claudia emphasized that Jamaica is her biggest regional market and Collection Moda is the best-organized show in the region.

COLLECTION-MODA-CLAUDIA-PEGUS

A LIFESTYLE BRAND

CARLTON JONES NEW YORK was next in the spotlight. In business on his own as a designer for six years, this former fashion stylist showed a mixture of elements based on his appreciation of being chic at heart. “This line, “Cascade” is taken from my exclusive print; a cascade of color, like from a waterfall,” Carlton explained. Delicate color-blocked swing dresses, long tunics on men and breezy tropical dresses made up the bulk of Carlton’s collection, not forgetting his signature wrapped pants which popped up on several looks. This lifestyle brand featured some of the most fluid, easy pieces on the runway.

ALL FROM A SIMPLE WHITE SHIRT-DRESS

KIMON BAPTISTE followed with a collection that she said was inspired by a white shirt-dress, which she built upon. “I had the idea of a shirt-dress that goes from day to evening….the collection ended up to be a timeless and functional fashion situation,” said the designer. Bold prints in tropical flare with some intricate sleeve treatments highlighted Kimon’s collection.

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Project Runway Season 9 alumn JOSHUA CHRISTENSEN was next up. Based in Detroit, Joshua explained; “My customer is usually between 21 and 35 years-old, outgoing, fun, open-minded and confident. I always tell people; when you wear it, others will love it. It’s not only that you are wearing something different, but it is being brave enough to wear it. Most people would love to have the courage to do something different,” said the designer. Joshua’s runway hits included a burgundy leather suit with ‘Matador’ lacing elements down the legs and up the back of the jacket, on top-model Hakeem, and, the black cocktail dress of stamped velvet, with a flowing lace overcoat on “Miss Universe Jamaica” Iana Tickle-Garcia.

COLLECTION-MODA-JOSHUA-CHRISTENSEN

RAISING THE BAR

KORTO MOMOLU a staple at Collection MoDA runway truly raised the bar. Fresh from her stunning New York Fashion Week
groundbreaking `Women Grow’ collection, Korto mixed elements from that collection with brand new pieces crafted for her fashion-forward clients. “I took the best of the last three collections and added to the new, making one big collection.” Korto’s natural fabrics ranged from cotton to cork and hemp was well received by the appreciative audience.

MISFIT

Next on the runway came a line from PREMIER GENTLEMAN which proved to be a total misfit for the runway. A show of this caliber has no room for badly made clothes. Making matters worse, this designer brought in his own male models who clearly had no clue on what to do on a runway – where to stop, where to turn….it’s unfortunate, but such unprofessionalism had no place on Moda runway.

FROM JAMAICA TO THE BVI

The Collection MoDA Runway ended with young designer GERMAINE SMITH from the British Virgin Islands who showed a collection of simple clothes that carried the “wearable” label. A relative newcomer to the fashion scene, Germaine “Kym’asia” line titled “Synergy 2020” had touches of the dancehall and reggae culture vibe all over it. The designer admitted that it was that vibe that brought him to fashion. He spent three years learning how to sew and studying pattern-making, design, and tailoring. Originally from Jamaica, Germaine re-located to the BVI where he developed his art. “It’s a big honor to see my clothes on this world stage,” noted the designer after presenting his 18 runway looks.