The Tribune

Twenty-eight year-old Bahamian Fashion Designer Theodore Elyett has just gained another major achievement in the international fashion arena to add to his budding repertoire of accomplishments. During the first episode of Mission Catwalk season three, which aired on April 13, Elyett not only out-stitched 14 other Caribbean designers to walk away as the winner of the season’s first challenge; but he also won the opportunity to have his winning garment reproduced for one of Jamaica’s leading retail chains Lee’s Fifth Avenue.

Mission Catwalk’s theme this season is, ‘Runway to Retail’, which means that each winning design from the weekly challenges will be reproduced for retail sale.

On April 15, producers of the award winning Caribbean reality television show made good on their promise and Elyett’s winning design was not only displayed in the main showcase window at Lee’s Fifth Avenue, Tropical Plaza, but six replicas of the garment were also made available for sale.

Sheena Isree, Lee’s Fifth Avenue Buyer, says she is quite impressed with Elyett’s creation and confirms that customer demand for the designer piece will dictate if the retail chain will restock the item.

This is the first time that Elyett has been given the opportunity to have a design reproduced for retail sale.

He says this is an opportunity of a lifetime.

“This is a huge step in the right direction for me as a designer and an even larger step for my brand. The main goal of any designer is to not only showcase his work and for it to be well received, but it’s also for those pieces to be taken from the runway into retail. Mission Catwalk has opened a door of opportunity for retail exposure that I have never experienced,” he says.

“While it is still very early in the competition, I’m ecstatic that The Bahamas, on its debut performance in Mission Catwalk, has not only crossed the fashion finish line in first place, but I am also proud to be the first Bahamian designer to be retailed at Lee’s 5th Avenue.”

In the highly anticipated season three premiere, the competition got started with 15 designers who were challenged to, “Create a look inspired by the Caribbean, which could be taken anywhere in the world and recognised as a uniquely Caribbean piece.”

Elyett says he was inspired by spicy hues, rich textures and bold patterns that are unique to the region.

“I immediately wanted to create a garment that could not only be worn as a statement piece, but one that would be functional, easily mobile for travelling purposes and one that would also offer the client fond memories of her vacation in the islands anytime she pulled it out of her closet,” he said.

“I chose one of the most unique tourist experiences while on a Caribbean getaway as my inspiration. The warm, unmatched beauty of a Caribbean sunset, which features beautiful radiant hues of tangerine, burnt orange and warm golden yellow. Considering that the ‘Theodore Elyett woman’ has an affinity for a rich colour palette, an appreciation for cut, pattern, texture and world culture I also allowed myself to be inspired by our African heritage,” he said.

Elyett said this was interpreted not only in the use of African printed material, but it was also represented in the intricate detailing in the bodice of the garment which mimicked patchwork often seen in Junkanoo parades which originate from an old African slavery celebration.

By the end of the night’s competition it was obvious the judges got exactly what Elyett was conveying with this one-of-a-kind piece.  

The judging panel included Head Judge, Jamaica Observer Senior Associate Editor Lifestyle and Content Novia Whyte, international men’s wear designer Carlton Brown and guest judge international designer Courtney Washington.

During the intensive runway critique session, Whyte told Elyett that his design truly captured the essence of the Caribbean woman.

“This was a win for my country and my brand. In my mind I consider Mission Catwalk to be the Olympics for young fashion talents in the region, so when I won the first challenge I felt extremely proud, not only for my brand, but also for the Bahamas crossing the fashion finish line in first place.”

While Elyett walked away with a first place finish, two of his competitors with the lowest scores were sent packing.

Mwanza Glenn of Guayana and Sharon Shaw of Jamaica were the first two designers to be removed from the competitive.

Tune in to Mission Catwalk Saturdays at 9:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. on Cable Channel 12.