Hearty congratulations to Anya Ayoung Chee for her monumental victory in capturing the prestigious title of Best Designer at the last Project Runway season. Anya's success is significant as her career is now propelled by cash, equipment and international popularity to begin her business as a brilliant and accomplished designer-one with a vision capable of taking fashion to new dimensions. Anya's demeanor throughout the season was mostly of a team player rather than a competitor. Outside of her obvious designing talent, she exuded a natural compassion and understanding among her fellow competitors, practically all of whom she can now call friends. On many episodes she also wore the cap of moderator and was the true nurturer of the group, giving helpful advice and a literal shoulder to cry on.
Anya's designing ability coupled with her innate sweetness as a caring individual is why so many of us are especially proud of her. This goes beyond T&T's shores since she also won the Fan Favourite award where millions of Americans voted for Anya as their favourite competitor. Indeed, she has come a long way from the scandal as procured by private recordings that featured intimacy between her and her boyfriend which got into the public domain. Still, as she rides high on her recent success, some Trinis do not find her deserving, citing that her sewing skills were not on par with some of her counterparts, in particular, Viktor. These Trinis also claim to support Anya but must point out the facts, as they see it.
Surely, one shows impartiality in supporting a fellow citizen in an undertaking while recognising and acknowledging that the opponent of your countryman did a better job. But that was not the case with Anya's triumph. Viktor was the best at sewing in the group. His pieces were always neatly made and he generally completed his challenges on time. But we need to look at the bigger picture, which is designing. While designing and sewing go hand in hand, the former is the more appreciated skill. To conceptualise new/unique clothing and fashions is to consider fabrics, how they fall, look and feel, in addition to colour schemes, various cuts, trends and seasons. These are some basic elements that form the genesis of new and emerging fashion. Without the concept/design there is nothing to sew.
The skill to design simply trumps the skill to sew. This is why the same sum of money one would pay a fashion designer would usually cover the cost for five or more seamstresses. Anya, as recognised by the esteemed judges, clearly was the most fashion forward designer of the group and deserved to win. We recall that Anya did not place among the semi-finalists at the Miss Universe pageant in 2008, which was won by Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela. However, Anya's opportunity of a successful career as a fashion designer spurned by the title of top designer at Project Runway, US$130,000 equipment to start her business and immense popularity is far better than the prizes Ms Mendoza received. Old folks in this country have a saying: "What is for you, you must get!" Thank you, Anya, for giving Trinbagonians something special to be proud of in a time when we need it most.
Dexter Rigsby
Mt Lambert