BOBIE-LEE DIXON
(bobie-lee.dixon@guardian.co.tt)
Nothing more but the finest cuisine, art, music, fashion, and craft will be showcased once again at LEVE, 2019. The exclusive tourism and lifestyle invitation-only event hosted by Tourism Intelligence International (TII), promises to “take it a step further”, this year with its theme, “Fashioning Our Future.”
According to TTI's director and brain of LEVE, Dr Auliana Poon, the LEVE brand was developed to push the envelope on marketing and promoting Tobago's creatives, creations, energy, and lifestyle, thus uncovering the treasures found in its people and attracting potential buyers and investors.
The Morvant-Laventille native also stressed TII was committed to making its business model and its operations more and more sustainable; adopting environmentally friendly and sustainable development criteria in all areas of its business.
“We intend to show the rest of the world sustainability at its best; that sustainability can be sexy; sustainability can be elegant,” Poon expressed.
Perhaps that's why LEVE is going “big” on fashion this year, showcasing T&T's finest designers who bring with them their signature touches.
At the Forbes-rated Villa Being, in Arnos Vale Tobago, where the event has been held since 2016, on one stage guests will be able to feast their eyes on some of the most attractive designs from T&T fashion designers who Poon believes are transforming the industry and using the changing public perception towards environment sustainability to develop a new design ethos.
Under the creative artistry of one of the Caribbean's leading fashion and beauty experts, Richard Young, the evening will see the likes of designers Robert Young, who has made statements with his socially conscious garments under his label The Cloth; carnival and resort wear designers Christian Boucaud and Rhion Romany would also present, while 'rising star' in resort and swimwear Dominic Hutch will 'wet his feet' at the prestigious gathering carded for May 5, 2019.
Last year the event took on a 'new look' with the live exchange of vows amongst six couples, which coincided with that year's theme—'Love is in the air.'
The Tobago House Assembly (THA)-endorsed event also took a decision last year to discontinue its original concept of being a forerunner fringe event leading up to the Tobago Jazz Experience.
Poon, an economist and activist for sustainable tourism, explained to the Sunday Guardian that several reasons were taken into consideration influencing the change. One in particular which she highlighted was the need for people to patronise LEVE for LEVE and not because they were visiting the island for jazz. She also noted LEVE did not want to compete with other events for the same people, hotels or airline.
Other enthrallments for LEVE 2019 include the work of T&T artists, who will get the opportunity to have their pieces auctioned at the event. This year under the coordination of Tobago-born artist Tomley Roberts, the line up of artists include Glenn Roopchand and Jason Nedd as well as regional visual artist and environmental activist Roberto Tjon-A-Meeuw (based in Curacao) and Dominica's notable painter Earl Etienne.
When it comes to cuisine this year's chef, Xenon Thomas is expected to bring together the finest indigenous cuisine and international concepts and influences to patrons.
Poon communicated TII was aiming to achieve three goals with this year's showcase—to pro-actively demonstrate social responsibility and provide a platform for personal and community actions that will ensure an environmentally safe and sustainable environment for future generations; to showcase talented “Trinbagonian” fashion designers, culinary practitioners, accessories producers and entertainers to an international audience and to promote the island of Tobago as the quintessential ecotourism vacation spot and 'destination must.'
For more information on LEVE 2019 www.leve-caribbean.com/www.being-tobago.com