#fashionseason – Travel With A Purpose

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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International fashion gurus better stop the clock and change their calendar as there is a new fashion season in town. Although Carnival Fashion has been here a while its stamp is further embossed this year as it has grown to accommodate new fashion niches. Fashion is at an all time high during this time of the year! Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago is very different from the fashion weeks or fashion shopping months of other destinations. In this twin island state, Carnival may be perceived as two days of celebration but really it is a year round production as the cycle never ends. There are various genres of fashion as well as different concepts of “fashion houses” as they are mostly known as “mas camps” . Regardless, there is almost a certainty of some degree of creativity and expression reflected in design. This sentiment is transferred to the client who wears the item and immerses himself or herself to become one with the costume to play the role of masquerader.

(Photo Credit: http://www.redbullmusicacademy.com/magazine/moko-jumbies )

Trinidad Carnival has come a long way with wire bending, mental works and craft cutting skills that even require some knowledge of aerodynamics for some innovations. The evolution of Carnival has spanned many decades since the inception of emancipation. The freed colony donned shorts, skirts, blouses, head ties and t- shirts to play mas. The face mask was also popular. Even when they got banned from Carnival attire the emancipated people engineered a way to use the face mask as handheld masks. They would more often than not put them on in the event of the casual riots that took place after Carnival. But the creative people could only dream more fascinating costumes and decidedly crafted Sailor , Blue Devil, Moko Jumbie costumes to connect with African culture and reenact it in their newly adopted homeland.

(Photo Credit: http://www.tntisland.com/carnivalcharacters.html )

After World War II, Trinidad become home to many military folk. Hence, the inspiration to design military couture; gladiator style costumes, Grecian combat gear were inventive and spurred the design evolution on further. Pioneers like Peter Minshall came on the scene and used imported equipment and technology to speed up production for the demand or the output turnover of costumes in the mas camp . He continues to remain an icon for his contributions and portrayals that reflected the art of theater depiction and narrator style story telling in his Carnival mas concepts and productions.

(Photo Credit : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Peter-Minshall-Mas-Fans/477738325205 )

Over the years, a greater majority has pushed the Carnival artisans to their limit of filling this costume demand. Hence, the packaging of Carnival experience and costumes became prevalent. Today, there are younger masqueraders and designers. Nonetheless, the design has shifted to a ” less is more “ type of costume for some Carnival bands which are more popular with the young and upwardly mobile demographic who are concerned with their image.

( Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/PassionCarnival)

(Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/pages/KIRK-THOMAS-MAKEUP-ARTISTRY/57188897348 )

There are a few designers who still contribute to avant garde costuming. Another evolution is the idea of Carnival Monday Wear. Designers found a new niche to satisfy clients who do not have the time to sift through boutiques or cut up t-shirts and create their own wear for Carnival Monday or simply “fete couture”. Notwithstanding, the colour of Carnival resonates throughout this type of apparel as it did for decades. Yet, now more than ever embellishments and accessories such as ear cuffs, nail glam, make up even hair dyes and hair cuts are speaking volumes of style by their far from evanescent hues.

(Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/k2kcarnival )

(Photo Credit: http://instagram.com/p/yZ9oGTMT7V/?modal=true )

(Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/chandramaharajswimwear )

A spin off from all of this is the fitness fixation to get that body ready for the two day Carnival Street Party. Again another fashion niche is well put together for this arena. Colourful leggings and fitness gear customized to enable flexibility, comfort and confidence for the masquerader who is sweating off those Christmas carbohydrates and fatty tissues at the gym.

(Photo Credit: http://instagram.com/chandramaharaj/?modal=true)

Overall, Trinidadian designers have creativity pulsing in their blood and passion for the arts as their veins. So whilst change continues in Carnival fashion the number of Carnival participants increases annually and the desire to create, differentiate and celebrate is still burning at the heart of every artisan. There is no doubt that Carnival fashion is the new season of this year’s fashion calendar for local and regional “fashionpreneurs” and experts. It won’t surprise me if international fashion associations, designers, stylists, models and entrepreneurs flee their snow ridden countries for a chance to capture a glimpse of the ethereal fashion experience of Trindad Carnival Fashion (often celebrities and socialites are welcomed to participate in the festivities every year). After all who would pass up embracing this opportunity up close and personal in the sunny isles of paradise!

Photo Credit:

( http://www.ncctt.org/new/index.php/media-centre/news/56-downtown-carnival-celebrations-events.html )

Rain Fall Fashion – Jessel Brizan

Trinidad Carnival: The New Fashion Season