Trinidad-born Joan Pierre has been commissioned to produce three fashion shows for the cultural segment of the 2015 Pan Am Games, to be held in Toronto, Canada. Next year's Pan Am Games will be held from July 10-26, and its cultural package is called Panamania.Born in Sand City, Siparia, Pierre attended St Bridgit's elementary school in Siparia, then Holy Faith Convent, Couva. She left T&T in 1970, two weeks before the Black Power uprising, migrated to Canada and studied Theatre and Television Production at Ryerson University.Speaking via phone from Toronto last week she said: "Within the past three years I have produced three prestige fashion shows here."They have all been very successful, hence the reason why the Pan Am Games folks commissioned me to produce three shows during the Games as part of their cultural package. I am one of 26 commissioned people to work in different disciplines."
Anticipation is high in Toronto for Pierre's project. Games organisers stated in correspondence exchanged: "We can confirm that this unique and highly original Caribbean Fashion Showcase will be launched as a world premiere (as part of our overall commissioning productions) in Toronto in the summer of 2015."Despite elation over being selected for such a significant task, Pierre is saddened by the indifference of local officials, state entities and the private corporate world with her attempt to place T&T on the world map via this event.She said she initiated discussion with representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Investment, and the Chair of The Creative Industries Company of T&T but, has so far, received no feedback.In contrast, the government of Barbados and its agencies have grasped at the opportunity to become involved, in efforts to promote Barbados on an international stage.Last weekend, Pierre journeyed to Barbados and held discussions with that country's government, its National Cultural Foundation (NCF) and other events and tourism moguls.
She said: "The discussions in Barbados were very successful and encouraging. The Barbados Coalition of Service Industries, the Ministry of Cultural and the National Cultural Foundation have embraced the project and are putting things together to sign off on it by mid-May. Agencies in Tobago have also expressed interest and I have sent a package into them."I am also in touch with Guyana and Dominica, and will be reaching out to many of the others in the Caribbean in the next two weeks. But, my heart is broken that no one from Trinidad seems to be interested and I am certain our nation will have a team here in Toronto competing in the games."At least 41 countries are involved in these Games but my focus is mainly the Caribbean countries. After all, that is where I am from."Pierre said her desire to have local designers on board, and the government involved, is because of the high profile local fashion has internationally.
"Knowing that we have some of the top designers in the Caribbean right in T&T it will be sad for me as a Trini not to have our designers on the three runways. I have been wearing their clothes with pride for the past 25 years and to produce something at this magnitude and not have them, no words can describe what that feels like."We have so much to offer with the international exposure and the high visibility position on a world stage."A T&T input will certainly deliver lasting economic impact by creating a new perspective on fashion indigenous to the Caribbean, by engaging the boutique owners, manufactures and investors. We are offering different levels of sponsorship to whoever wishes to get involved."Joan Pierre can be reached at jamypierre@gmail.com
Festivals and Special Events
Joan has been actively involved in the design and implementation of North America festivals and special events, including:Caribana–Toronto; Get Your Move On (City of Toronto); Cuttin' Style Fashion Show; Africanadian Arts and Music Festival –Ontario Place; African Heritage Music Festival–New Orleans; Atlanta Music Festival–Atlanta; Catholic Children Aid Society Gala–Toronto; The African Canadian Achievement Awards; Urban Aids Concert–Toronto; The 1994 World Championship of Basketball–Toronto