#bluebasinstores – Travel With A Purpose

Rain Fall Fashion – Jessel Brizan

Posted on October 25, 2016by admin

Unlike other destinations Trinidad does not have all four seasons to keep up with the seasons of fashion. We have two seasons and they include the dry season and the rainy season. Of course we have a festival culture due to the magnanimous support of varying cultures sporadically dispersed throughout the length and breadth of the country. One may find that we have lots of themes at different times of the year such as bridal, avant garde, ethnic, western, contemporary, resort, business and swim wear. Today I want to highlight one designer who is definitely keeping it real this rainy season. His name is Jessel Brizan and he owns several design lines. He is a former lecturer in fashion at The Caribbean Academy of Fashion and Design at The University of Trinidad and Tobago. He is also the curator for Blue Basin Department Stores. At this store he curates clothing and accessories from local fashion designers and creative entrepreneurs who are in keeping with his standards for ethics and integrity in fashion.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/JesselBrizanDesignGroup/

At Blue Basin Stores you can find unisex wear. The design aesthetic of his design labels are reflected throughout his store concept and the products. The identity of the brand is easily distinguishable. There is a true sense of Caribbean lifestyle reverberated in his brand that is unparalleled. This rainy season he has crafted and curated staple pieces that every fashionisto/fashionista ought to have in their closet. His clothing is not only durable but timeless. Hence purchase of a Jessel Brizan Design is a guaranteed investment for life. Time, effort and enough research has gone into the production of his pieces to carefully suit the season and the target client. This is why I say you will be rushing off to get your hands on his designs to wear it immediately until I believe you may get so addicted they earn their own space at the forefront of your closet.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/JesselBrizanDesignGroup/

Unfortunately, I cannot show you everything from his clothing collections but I can definitely sneak you a peek so you can go do your own style stalking when you make the free time to do so. You must also know that the days for stealing your boyfriend’s jackets, shirts, pants, beanies and wearing them are over. Ladies now you can buy your own pieces and watch out for your guy friends who just may take a “long term” borrow. When you purchase a Jessel Brizan Design you discover that finesse is in the tailoring and the feel of the fabric. The quintessence is in the complete style profile on the person who wears them well. At Blue Basin Stores you can ask about mix and match options that suit you best.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/JesselBrizanDesignGroup/

Some of us are extremely fashion conscious and things that mass consumers consider trivial are actually important for the Jessel Brizan Design Group. The curator has been careful to exclude designs that are unethical. There are eco bracelets at Blue Basin Stores made out of glass that has been recycled into glass beads and completed with tassels in honour of the leather back turtles that frequent the shores of Trinidad. The Turtle Warrior bracelet is a reminder to clean up the beaches and save the turtles that come to shore for nesting. Other concerns such as child labour and exploitation are void from occurrence at this establishment. Designs are kept original and every effort is made to reduce mass consumption and high wastage. You can rest assured the Jessel Brizan Design Group’s collection whether handbags, belts, cardigans or wristbands is an aesthetically attractive, safe, rare and reasonably priced designer addition to your closet.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/JesselBrizanDesignGroup/

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My Quick Picks for Valentine's Day

Posted on February 10, 2016by admin

1.Style them – The gift of style has come to be appreciated by men and women. Your significant other does not have to be a fashionista or a fashionisto to embrace fashion. I am sure they have their own sense of style whether they fancy fitness wear, artisan jewellery, handbags, spa essentials or accessories. Perhaps they are huge fans of sustainable living and they prefer ethical wear. If this is the case then I strongly suggest you make a fashion stop at Blue Basin Stores at the Cruise Complex in Port of Spain. Another bonus here is their sale of up to 50 % on local designer menswear, women apparel and accessories. Their sale ends on February 13th 2016 so visit them to find out more.

https://www.facebook.com/BlueBasin/info/?tab=overview

2. Wine them – It’s the season of love and romance is spilled from the glass of wine that runneth over; well at least for the “winos” out there. Now you can enjoy local wines aged to perfection in just five flavours: sorrel, spice, five finger, pommerac and jamun. These wines were aged for 5 years. All the wines are light to medium bodied, crisp and refreshing. They are available at Unwined Wine Bar, Trade Winds Hotel mini mart, On Deck Pub at Trade Winds Hotel, TnT Wine Cellar and of course directly from 11 Degrees North.

https://www.facebook.com/11-Degrees-North-656560257809429/?fref=ts

3. Chocolate Coat them – At #37 Fitt Street, Woodbrook on Thursday 11th February 2016 Medulla Art Gallery brings you Destination Chocolate’s Pop Up Shop. There you can purchase local artisan chocolate on sale and relish in tasting the “true trini sweet hand”. Some featured products include chocolate gift bags, cocoa products, truffles, cocoa nib brittle and dark chocolates from various local sommeliers in the local chocolate industry. You can also get your tickets for my next suggestion at this Pop Up event.

https://www.facebook.com/events/891391910981283/

4. Dine them – Locals love to adventure together into the realms of food. Mariposa Cafe in Lopinot Trinidad is nothing short of being an epic culinary journey. They are hosting their “Cocoa Inno Foosion” tasting event at Mariposa Gardens in Arouca on February 13th 2016. The highlights of the event include savoury and sweet cocoa creations, bean to bar demonstration and sampling and selling of various cocoa treats. The tickets for this event are $300.00 and are on sale at Medulla Art Gallery tomorrow. So if you or your loved one may be interested in the excitement feel free to check it out.

https://www.facebook.com/destinationchocolatett/?fref=ts

These are just a few awesome local finds right here in Trinidad for the 14th February 2016!! Whether you choose fashion, food or fun or all of them remember your dearest of them all is the gift of giving from your heart!!! Enjoy!!!

Trinidad Fashion Run – The Carnival Fashion Tour

Posted on January 7, 2016by admin

Let’s Go Trinidad and Tobago will be having their third fashion tour on the 30th January 2016. This year the event is called Trinidad Fashion Run. The event coincides with Trinidad’s Carnival season. Hence it is the intention of the company to feature Carnival costuming and its huge impact on fashion in Trinidad and vice versa. Fashion and Carnival affect and effect each other as they make up an exclusive part of Trinidad’s fashion history and fashion landscape to date.

There will be four fashion stops on this tour all inclusive of light refreshments, gifts, giveaways and games. Again the mission is to diversify the local tourism product by promoting creative tourism via development and execution of these local fashion tours for domestic and international tourists. Subsequently, this “buy local” campaign is hoped to create diversity and sustainability of the economy.

Caribbean fashion lifestyle department store and a former fashion tour show stopper; Blue Basin will be making a return to the itinerary. The appeal of the true Caribbean can be felt at this stopover. In the majority, the owner and the exclusive addition of ethical and quality designed clothing and accessories can account for this. Menswear is also popular here with brands like Urban Militia, RGG, Red Gold and Green.

The second stop is dedicated to the evolution of Carnival costuming so there will be a stop at Passion Carnival Mas Camp. The squad of designers behind the “Amazon” presentation aimed at strength and dominance of the woman for next year’s Carnival presentation. These designers include Sonia Mack, Rajin Gopie, Rene Williams, international photographer Calvin French, internationally recognized hair stylist Ashvin Bally, fashion designer Noor, Fazad Mohammed and Alejandro Gomez. The face of Passion Carnival 2016 is Heidi Andrews, Miss Global International Queen 2015.

The third stop is at Exhibit A, the designer space curated by former Project Runway winner Anya Ayoung Chee. It offers emerging and established designers a home for retail of their designs. However, in the spirit of Carnival the store will be transformed in Canyaval which is the Carnival Monday Wear brand and collection under the purview of Anya Ayoung Chee. Carnival Monday Wear is the latest addition to Trinidad’s fashion scene.

The final fashion stop takes the patron down memory lane with a trip to Mas’ Rebellion. They are making their first debut next year on the streets for Carnival. The Mas’ Rebellion team has inculcated creative director Keir Roopnarine as well as the industrial designer, illustrator and writer Ayodhya Ouditt into their talent base for their design aesthetic and narrative on Heroes or Villains in the United States of Trinidad.

The tour is hosted by Ashanna Arthur, Miss World Trinidad and Tobago 2009. It is carded to start at 10 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. Tickets are only TTD$200.00 per person

(Photo Credit: Gary Jordan Photography)

If you wish to find out more information then feel free to email us for more details at letsgotrinidadandtobago@gmail.com

Blue Basin Stores – The Best Kept Christmas Secret

Posted on December 8, 2015by admin

Why?!

Parking: The Christmas season is always traffic crazy and there is limited parking. Some people are even guilty of “creating park spots”. At Blue Basin Stores this is the least of your worries as you have ample parking.

Location: Although nestled in Port of Spain, the Capital City of Trinidad this secret is best kept tucked away at in the Cruise Ship Complex at Port Authority at number one Dock Road. The energy and vibes from the visual merchandising at the store is but one factor that plays a part in the zen energy and vibes exuded from Blue Basin Stores. The other part well let’s say you just have to get acquainted with the aura of the store owner, Jessel Brizan so you can experience that yourself.

https://www.facebook.com/BlueBasin/app/251458316228/

(Facebook Shopping!)

Convenience: So you don’t want to leave your glass of wine, your laptop, smart phone and the bed because ‘baby it seems too cold outside?!’ No problem. Blue Basin is online too. You can shop through their facebook store, website or order by phone. There is even free delivery for persons in Trinidad.

http://www.bluebasin.co/

(Shop Online)

Ethics: If you want more value for your money then this is the store for you. Blue Basin Stores carry brands like Afrofunkk which includes designer collections which are made from custom and responsible textiles. The popular turtle warrior bracelets are also available. These are made from recycled glass from glass bottle debris recovered from local beaches. Often these beaches are habitats for the endangered leather back turtles.

Bundles of Joy: Tis the season Blue Basin Stores gives you sweet deals and gift cards. Get introduced to Blue Basin’s gift cards for the loved ones who you simply can’t decide on for gift giving. Also check out their Bundles of Joy Specials from December 1st 2015. There are some awesome deals in store so visit Blue Basin Stores while these stocks are available.

Build a Dream: At Blue Basin Stores, Jessel Brizan the owner and curator of the store has found a space for Trinbagonian and Caribbean designers who are all small business entrepreneurs and creatives with a dream for their brand and for this country. When you shop at Blue Basin Stores you are shopping local and supporting their dream. You are building up a small business entrepreneur and making their dream for the future come true.

Save the economy: Yes it has been confirmed that the country is in a recession but ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country. By shopping local you can help save the economy. You can help keep the economy afloat. The money that you spend is repatriated to the local not foreign economy.This means there is a chance for multiplier effect and others in the economy can benefit. There are more linkages and less leakages. You are inevitably diversifying the economy when you contribute by supporting local. Help diversify the country from an oil dependent industry to an economy that is well diversified with the resources and talent readily available to take it forward!

So this Christmas I wish you a very Blue Basin Christmas!!!