What motivated you to enter the Bermuda Fashion Festival 2018?
Every year I try to do something that’s outside my comfort zone and dares me to challenge my creativity a bit more. Although my career path is actually in journalism and fashion styling, having a clothing line was always something I’ve wanted to create from a young age. You only have one lifetime to experience these amazing memories, so you might as well go for it and put your best foot forward!

How are you feeling in the lead up to the event?
Each day is completely different, almost like I’m two different people. Some days I’m worried, tired and anxious but other days I’m positive, hopeful and overly excited. Life, right?

What do you expect will be the biggest challenge?
Although the production of my garments is going pretty well so far, I feel like it is going to become challenging once I get into the more complicated pieces.

What have been the rewards so far?
Being able to unleash a new side to my creativity that was dying to come out all these years feels so fulfilling. Designing, painting and fabric shopping has been a dream. Apart from the actual production of the line and researching the history of the fashion eras, I am focusing on; this process has expanded my appreciation of the fashion world both old and new.
If you had to describe your collection, what would you say?
My collection is a replica of summertime in Bermuda circa the 1960s – 90s. You know, like if you threw an island resort into a time machine? There you have House of Aiyanna.

In general, what inspires your personal style?
Like I say all the time, I find my inspiration from things that were influential before I was even born. I grew up snooping around my grandparents’ house, which is filled with timeless antiques. That sparked my love for vintage finds. Not to mention my mom’s old wardrobe from when she was my age, which she kept intact and allowed me to have. (Shout out to my mom, she killed the 80s). I don’t really follow trends, but if I do, I will make sure it has my own unique twist. I love mixed prints and statement pieces.  It’s the best feeling when people ask me, “How do you know about that? You weren’t even born” – because it’s so uncommon for someone my age to be interested in the things I am.

Where do you ultimately hope to take your fashion career?
My goal is to become an editor and a successful blogger. I’m not entirely sure where I see myself in a few years or even months because you never know what may happen in life, but I guarantee it will be somewhere being happy and successful!

This article was originally published in the Summer 2018 edition of RG Magazine.

The post Fashion Statement appeared first on RG Magazines.

Age: 45

Design line: Aqua Designs

What motivated you to enter the Bermuda Fashion Festival 2018? 

I love designing and creating and have entered several fashion design competitions in the past, but being a Mum of three kids I haven’t had much opportunity to challenge myself for several years. I have always felt the Bermuda Fashion Festival was a fantastic event and when I was invited to enter, I thought it would be a great challenge and also an excellent opportunity to increase the visibility of my label, Aqua Designs.

 How are you feeling in lead up to the event? 

 I’m excited, but also a little nervous about how everything will look on the runway. I love designing and creating beautiful garments and seeing them take shape, so it’s exciting to see it all come together. However, there are a lot of pieces to bring together to create a collection that I am proud of and which respects the caliber of the Bermuda Fashion Festival.

 What do you expect will be the biggest challenge? 

 Recently I’ve been creating individual pieces. Putting together a collection that is cohesive in design and flows on the runway, means that I have to think of everything working and coordinating together; shoes, accessories, the music and lighting and the models… it sometimes feels a bit overwhelming.

 What have been the rewards of the experience so far? 

The whole experience has been rewarding, but I have particularly appreciated the advice and input from my mentor, Ken Laurence, who is a U.S. designer and past participant on Project Runway. He has given me some great ideas and input to get my collection runway ready.

 If you had to describe your collection what would you say? 

Bermuda inspired resort wear, the concept behind my resort collection is comfort and elegance, inspired by Bermuda’s natural beauty.  I’ve designed exclusive Bermuda prints for my collection to enhance the designs in natural fabrics for breathability and comfort.  This collection is designed to be worn by all women who would like to be both stylish and comfortable while looking their best.

 In general, what inspires your personal style?

I find inspiration in Bermuda’s nature, from the ocean to the lush greenery. I’m also inspired by different design elements that make a garment elegant and comfortable.

 Where do you ultimately hope to take your fashion career/ brand? Where do you see yourself in five, ten years?

I envision myself designing a range of children’s and women’s wear, under my label Aqua Designs, to be sold in stores both locally and internationally. I would like to be a recognised label on the East Coast of the USA and Bermuda.

This article was originally published in the Summer 2018 edition of RG Magazine.

The post Fashion Statement appeared first on RG Magazines.

The California State University student has been taking her new Pray for the World clothing line countrywide, and while it is only in the preview stages at the moment, there is enough support to suggest she could go far.

Conscious of the world around her and unwilling to conform to a traditional sense of style, the talented young Bermudian wants to use fashion to fight against the injustice she sees in the 21^st century.

Ms Clarke took some time out from her hectic summer schedule to tell us about her style, her hopes for the future, and why she gets annoyed when one of her creations starts a trend.

When did you start to become interested in fashion?

“For me it wasn’t a when did I become interested in fashion, it was more of a how did I become increased in fashion.

“When I was younger I remember a boy saying to me ‘finally you learned how to dress,’ whatever he meant, I had no idea because I just threw on clothes.

“I didn’t care if I matched; I put on clothes with completely different patterns because I basically dressed how I felt. To this day a lot of these things are still true because I dress based on how I feel, and I go through phases of where I like different themes of clothes, so my closet is very confusing for other people, but it makes perfect sense to me.

“As time progressed my love for fashion evolved out of my love for drawing. To me fashion is the evolution of my creativity.”

What do you consider your style to be?

“My style is fluid. It is always changing, but no matter the theme, whether its hippy, Boho, 90s there is always an edgy unique vibe to my style.

“Those that are close to me know that only I can get away with what I wear and still look good. Though I understand what those around me are saying, I believe that an outfit goes beyond clothes.

“For example, if I am trying to get dressed and my hair looks a mess or my hair does not go with the hairstyle, I change the hairstyle to make it work.

“Dressing for me is easy; however, other people just have to negotiate to make the outfit work or wear it with confidence. Not everyone is going to like or understand how you dress, but you have to embrace you in your clothing.”

“The creative process to styling is completely different from the creative process of design; however, they both start in your mind.

“My first opportunity to actually design something was in my Family Food and Nutrition class at The Berkeley Institute, where I had to make a bag. It was the first time I had ever sewn before.

“However, in 2014 I had an opportunity present itself to me at my current school California State University Fresno, and I couldn’t deny it. An on campus club called Fashion Inc allowed its members to participate in a fashion show and gave us the choice to either be a stylist or a designer.

“I wanted a challenge so I chose to design. The theme of the show was dolls, so I decided to do a princess/prince dolls theme. I purchased a sewing machine and by time I got my fabric I had a month to find my models and make my clothes. It was stressful along with school, and my other extra-curricular activities, but I was proud of what I produced for the first time.”

Where have your designs been showcased?

“My designs have mostly been showcased on campus. I am a member of two organizations that provides me with opportunities to showcase my craft. I am vice-president of Fashion Inc and social coordinator of the African Student Association (ASA). For Fashion Inc I have participated in two Annual Spring Fashion Shows. The first time in 2014 I designed, and in 2017 I styled. Fashion Inc has also allowed me to style for multiple other businesses as well. In April of this year a little over a month after my show for Fashion Inc, I designed for ASA a Night in Africa where I released a preview of my brand Pray for the World that I intend to release next year.

“From that point on I’ve found that a lot of opportunities I had never expected to open began to open up thanks to God. Members of UCLA’s Nigerian Student Association invited me to present my line at their school, which was dope. I have also been able to network with fashion bloggers and have other shows lined up for when I return to California in August.”

“My brand Pray for the World looks at socio-economic structures and makes an argument with fashion. As a self-taught designer, I found myself questioning how my love for fashion and my distain towards injustice and inequality could co-exist.

“So, I decided to let fashion be my rhetoric, and started developing my brand Pray for the World. The objective of the brand is to look at socio-economic structures, systems of injustice and environment around the world and make an argument through fashion. For the first time during ASA’s Night in Africa I launched a preview to my brand. Two arguments were being made that night.

“The first argument that was being made was the apparent socialization of the female body in relationship to nudity in both eastern and western cultures. In many eastern regions nudity is cultural while in the west it is hyper-sexualized to the point where society must teach our daughters how not to get raped rather than teach our men not to rape.

“The argument looks at the structure of patriarchy. The second argument that the collection was making was with regards to the black/African Diaspora and the enslavement of kings and queens. More importantly the bondage and enslavement that people have and still need to be freed from as a result of colonialism and slavery.”

What are some of your favourite trends and influences?

“I have never been big on trends, and when I find myself engaging in trends is a result of availability or time, which is one of the main reasons I shop online because I can find what I am looking for. On some occasions I would be looking for a particular article and I wouldn’t be able to find it until it is trending; and just as a result of it being trendy I would no longer want it.

“On the flip side I sometimes find myself ahead of the trend, and when it becomes a trend I am almost annoyed, but that’s just me personally.”

Who are your fashion influences?

“I love Rihanna, Teyana Taylor, and Solange Knowles, they are definitely fashion inspirations.”

Where do see yourself in the next five to ten years as far as fashion is concerned?

“In five years from now I see my brand being established on the business side of things, but I still hope to be climbing upwards in the fashion industry.”

What are three words that describe your designs?

“Three words that describe my designs are: fluid, because Pray for the World is making arguments about the world; Fashion Movement; and Fashion Rhetoric.

What are your biggest accomplishments in the fashion industry thus far?

“I would not say I have made it to the industry yet; my brand has only been previewed, not launched, even though I have been travelling with my designs.

“However, at this point, I believe in taking a chance as success and failure has been my greatest accomplishment.

“Even in the moment you [sometimes] question whether what you’re doing is worth it, but it always is when you’re doing something you love. I just love creating at this point and I can’t wait to see it grow.”

What should people expect and look out for with your clothing?

“I want to create an awareness that goes beyond the clothes with my brands. I have other brands in mind that focus on the clothes, but for this one the message is way more important. But the clothes will definitely have to be good as well.

“I really want to push the limit of creativity. As far as right now is concerned, I am just teaching myself the craft before I can do that. I enjoy using different types of fabrics. I’ve used waxed fabrics, linens, and Ankara.

“However, the hardest fabric I’ve had to use was a sheer fabric that was very delicate which had embroidery. I broke seven needles sewing that fabric and had to hand-feed the fabric. But, in my mistakes I have learned so much from working with different fabrics, and that type of frustration or challenge brings me joy. I have learnt that different fabrics require different needles, and some fabrics do not go with some outfits. I hate seams ripping after I make a mistake, but it also helps me to focus a little bit more when I work on my designs.”

The post Making a statement through fashion appeared first on RG Magazines.

Sophie Adams was not always comfortable being in front of a camera, or being in front of strangers at a fashion show. Her first Bermuda Fashion Festival was a “daunting” experience.

How things have changed. Now she models in London, is hoping to breakthrough in Los Angeles, and is far more confident about being on the catwalk.

Sophie took time out of her hectic schedule to answer some questions about life as a model.

What did it mean to you to take part in the Bermuda Fashion Festival?

I had heard of the fashion festival and several people had encouraged me to take part but I was always too shy to attend any of the open calls! The thought of walking in front of strangers was daunting. It really did change my life for the better. It allowed me to not only attain skills and qualities needed to pursue a modelling career, but also challenged me to overcome personal adversities.

What impact did it have on you as a person, and how you saw your future?

It greatly improved my confidence. From the first fashion show I took part in 2013 I never gave up on the hope that I could make it.

You have talked in the past about being “you” and adopting a natural approach. Is there freedom in that?

Being as natural as possible has worked out in my favour thus far. Clients love to see your most natural ‘you’. In person, they are not interested with heavy make-up or your hair being done overly styled or done up. They need to see a canvas in which they can create.

People on the outside of the industry see glitz and glamour, what don’t they see?

I find a lot of people assume that being a model is easy; that all you have to do is pose in front of a camera.

They don’t see the hours/years of preparation and practice it takes. Modelling is a lot more than just being a pretty face. Personality really gets you far in the industry. Without a good attitude, you won’t get far.

What has been the best and worst part of your career so far?

The worst part about modelling would certainly be the early ‘call-times’ for a shoot. Starting at 9am means my day will begin at around 5am depending on the location of the job!

The absolute best part of modelling is when you see the final images published/released. The process of a full day, which could be 8 hours or more, and shooting endlessly to get those few picture-perfect shots really make it worthwhile.

When was the last time you were nervous before a shoot, and what do you do to overcome that feeling?

The last time I got nervous for a shoot was the first one I ever took part in as a signed model. This was a shoot for Brides Magazine. I overcame my nervousness by finding a quite space and giving myself words of encouragement!

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?

The best piece of advice I have ever gotten/will continue to get is from my father. He recently told me to never forget and know who I am, my value as a person, where I am going in life and how I am going to get there. Stop at nothing to give your best each and every day, if you’re not succeeding you’re learning. It’s what you do during the learning that matters most!

What one piece of advice would you give to aspiring models?

Embrace your originality and take advantage of the fact that you are the only version of yourself. Don’t ever allow someone’s opinion to make you feel negatively about yourself. You are not for everyone. You are unique.

The post No longer daunted by the runway appeared first on RG Magazines.