Young designer Josette James launches new fashion label

With the recent success of Trinidadian designer Anya Ayoung-Chee, the spotlight has undoubtedly been thrown on the local fashion industry. Josette James plans to ride this wave of support, in her first fashion show, launching her fashion label entitled The Art of Wear in a gala runway show and art exhibition. On Saturday, designer  James kicks off the fashion year with an exclusive view of her first collection at the Crowne Plaza festival ballroom in Port-of-Spain. Drawing inspiration from the spate of armed conflicts occurring on the world stage, James introduces War and Peace.

Besides the obvious play on words, juxtaposing Sun Tzu’s legendary military treatise (The Art of War) with wearable art (The Art of Wear), the debut collection, War and Peace takes the pun one step further, presenting pieces which speak to her interpretation of some theoretical and philosophical perspectives on both themes, through the artistic medium of fashion. She states, “It is my hope that I can thus bring a new perspective to the local fashion industry, not only providing women with one of a kind hand -painted pieces of wearable art, but also allowing them to wear something that has deeper meaning instead of simply following trends.” The runway show is partnered with an exhibition by local artist Sarah Burrows who, as the official fabric artist of the line, will also be showcasing her artwork which corresponds with the clothing on display.

Guests can thus expect a presentation of structured well-tailored clothing with clean lines and sleek flattering silhouettes alongside rich, colourful hand-painted garments, in functional yet feminine shapes. Event attendees will also be among the first to view the one-of-a-kind art pieces done by Sarah Burrows, ahead of her art exhibition which runs from next Wednesday to Saturday at the Art Society of Trinidad and Tobago, Federation Park. War and Peace will be a theatrical yet interactive affair, commencing with the runway presentation representing War, followed by a break for the art exhibition where guests are invited to view and purchase the pieces on display, then winding up with the runway presentation representing Peace. Tickets are on sale and valued at $180, they are available at Horizons Framing and Décor Ltd, Mucurapo Road or  call 303 7318/349 0444 for ticket delivery.