The Tribune

By Hadassah Hall

For the second consecutive year, fashion design students and alumni of the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institution (BTVI) will be creating designs for the Miss Bahamas Organisation’s (MBO) Top Model and Designer showcase competition.

Last year’s winning piece was a dramatic, avant-garde evening gown created by Trineil Hanna. The strikingly beautiful yellow dress incorporated a myriad of Bahamian motifs, from branches to flowers, beads, straw, butterflies and birds.

This year’s theme is “I am Every Woman”, augmented by a sentiment expressed in lyrics by American singer/songwriter India Arie: “I am not my hair, I am not my skin, I am the soul that lives within.’

“We want to focus on the things that make a woman truly beautiful,” said MBO’s Vice President of Corporate Sponsorship and Media Relations Jerome Sawyer. “We want young ladies to appreciate those things about themselves that show true beauty.”

Ten contestants are vying for the Miss Bahamas title, with the winner also representing the country at the Miss World pageant. The Top Model and Designer showcase, in addition to the swimsuit contest, will be held on July 11 at the Meliá Nassau Beach Resort, beginning at 4pm.

There will be the 10 contestants, along with three former queens including Miss Commonwealth Bahamas 1995 Loleta Smith-Dixon, Miss Commonwealth Bahamas 1993 Jacinda Sadye Francis and LaTeasha Ingraham-Lord, who represented the Bahamas at the Miss World 1998 pageant.

There will be 20 BTVI competitors in the Top Designer Competition. They will be paired up to create garments for the contestants.

Mr Sawyer, who has been with MBO since its inception 11 years ago, said the organisation approached BTVI again because it believes in building partnerships with Bahamian institutions.

“We wanted to continue to build the relationship and the success of last year. Our contestants enjoyed the experience as did we, and we saw how much the designers enjoyed the competition last year as well,” he said.

BTVI’s Associate Vice President of Fund Development Alicia Thompson said the invitation to partner with MBO for the second consecutive year signifies the value which the organisation has placed on the relationship.

“Our instructors, students and alumni are all very talented, capable individuals who are seeking an opportunity to have their work showcased. The calibre of their workmanship is commendable, and they are able to produce the finest pieces while using the most basic tools,” said Ms Thompson.

“It is hoped that the added exposure received from our collaboration with MBO will generate a higher level of interest in BTVI, especially the fashion trades department. It is also hoped that with that interest BTVI will attract individuals and corporate sponsors who are willing to provide scholarships and or funding to assist with the development of the department.”

Also on board again is Commonwealth Fabrics, which will be providing each designer with an $80 sponsorship to assist with material and notions.

Meanwhile, fashion student Stephanie Thomas considers participating in the competition as a means to showcase her creativity.

“I expect to gain a little exposure and to build my clientele. I’m mostly excited about designing for the models because they’re going to want a next garment when I’m done with the first one,” she said. “I plan to blow them away!”

As the competition heats up, Kirkwood Deal also expressed enthusiasm, declaring that beyond the experience, he wants to take home the 2016 designer showcase title.

“I really want to be the winner because I want my design to go off with the queen. I want to get on that big screen. I want to be out there. I want my name to be big. I’m excited about just being given the opportunity to design an outfit for a contestant. I’m also on edge and a little nervous, but it causes me to do a better job because I work best under pressure,” he said.

Additionally this year, a reality television show is being incorporated, which will give BTVI’s fashion students further exposure. The show was created by MBO President Michelle Malcolm and called “The Road to the Crown”.

Mr Sawyer said the organisation realises its audience is changing.

“Reality TV shows are increasingly popular with audiences around the world. We thought this would be a great way of getting the Bahamian audience more involved in choosing their Miss Bahamas. A new Miss Bahamas app, now in development, will allow for an interactive experience, where audience members vote to keep their favourite contestant in the running each week,” he explained.

The show will expose audiences to the challenges involved in becoming Miss Bahamas, with one episode dedicated to the pageant’s contestants interacting with BTVI fashion students. It will give a behind the scenes look at pageant life, with the hopes of building a greater appreciation for the road travelled towards the crown.

Prominently featured in the reality TV show will be Mission Catwalk Season 3 winner Theodore Elyett, who has joined MBO as contestants manager. “We think that he is ideal for his role in working with the designers,” said Mr Sawyer. “He can offer expert advice on designing in a competition and tips on how to make designs come to life.”

The realty TV premieres tonight on Cable 12 at 8pm.