#italy – Travel With A Purpose

5 lessons from Heather Jones International

Posted on February 7, 2017by admin

“Heather is a quintessential artist of this millennium representing the transitional era of self-assertion and individuality. Her designs are motivated to make women feel good about themselves, to empower and inspire.

The endless limitation of her work is like a powerful river with countless branches, which develops into outrageous waterfalls. Her work brings a divine blessing to each individual that comes into contact with her designs.

They can imagine the warm tropical nights, cool sensuous days, deliciously soothing waters, the earthly rich flora of orchids and hibiscuses; all woven into the magical loom that Heather creates.”

Photo Credit: Heather Jones International

I first met Heather at the first Tobago Fashion Coda (although I do not think she remembers me or that anybody remembers much ha ha except that it was an awesome night!). The committee had just invited persons to indulge in the all inclusive refreshments done by the Tobago Hotel School. There we saw Heather and approached her to say “hello” and extend our congratulations to her on her collection. She was absolutely “down to earth” and so warm in her response to us. This is something I will forever cherish. I also take forward with me in life a few lessons from that moment. The first lesson is no matter who you are and whichever fields you assert yourself in always remember to treat others as you would like to be treated. The second lesson is people will remember you for character. Hence with that being said I am jumping into my Heather Jones Designs International review.

Photo Credit: Heather Jones International

I grew up hearing and seeing Heather Jones Designs broadcasted on television or glorifying the newspapers (yes I used to read the paper before the advent of online news). My chats with Leasel Rovedas and Omzadd Khan would further reveal that Heather even designed and supplied the Caribbean Airlines uniforms (no wonder our flight attendants look so beautiful). They would further confirm that although people are more conscious of the fashion industry today in Trinidad entrepreneurship still requires a lot of work before results are realized. In one of our discussions we realized that Heather really has accomplished a lot over the decades; working at her craft. It is safe to say her success did not happen overnight and this remains the third lesson I wish to note for my own life.

Photo Credit: Heather Jones International

Heather Jones achieved the “International Pret a Porter Style Award” for Fashion Week of the Americas in 2002. She went on to win “Woman of Great Esteem Award” from New York’s Woman of Great Esteem Foundation 2005. In 2008 she received the award for “Best Trinidad and Tobago Designer.” Then she achieved “The Chaconia Gold Medal,” a national award from her home country Trinidad and Tobago for her contribution in fashion in 2009. Despite receiving awards it seemed Heather understood that this alone does not translate to “Ah Reach”. This is my fourth lesson from Heather Jones. There are no limits for success only room for improvement and these accolades were only material confessions that Heather Jones was on to something and she needed to listen to her intuition and figure out what’s next for her brand and how can she do this better.

Photo Credit: Heather Jones International

Photo Credit: Heather Jones International

I must commend Heather’s focus on her art, her strategic planning and execution as Heather Jones Designs catapulted further to become international. Her collections were already being sold in about thirty stores in the U.S.A and were now being showcased on the global map from Asia, Europe to the Mediterranean markets. The highlights of these shows included attending “Me My Mode Show” in Paris in 2012, “Labo Ethnik Fashion and Lifestyle” in Paris in 2014, “The Gallery in Berlin” in 2013, “Japan International Fashion Week”, “Miami Fashion Week”, “Unconventional Wedding District” in Milan and “Mediterranean Fashion Dreams” in Italy. Currently her collections are being sold in Japan and Italy among other destinations. Undoubtedly, Heather Jones has put Trinidad and Tobago on the world map.

Photo Credit: Heather Jones International

Photo Credit: Heather Jones International

Heather Jones designs Prêt a Porter, Luxury, Resort, Bridal even Monday Wear and Fete Wear. The art of hand painting which she acquired was passed down to her from generation to generation. She aces garment construction and actually learned this from an early age. However, the striking thread that ties Heather Jones Designs International from where she started to the direction she is headed would be the marriage of traditional with contemporary in such a way that her creations are timeless and transitional. Heather Jones is relevant to her target market across many oceans in varying cultures in different age groups. She is cognizant of the trends, styles, colours, designs and fuses that with the uniqueness of her perspective of the Caribbean rather the way she views it. She finishes her designs with authenticity from her signature which is hand painting. Anyone can spot a purchase from Heather Jones Designs International immediately because her aesthetic is so identifiable. Similarly anyone wearing merchandise from Heather Jones Designs International will be easily spotted because her work stands out anywhere and everywhere. Heather Jones Designs International is an iconic brand that captures the essence of Trinidad and Tobago. Our culture is a melting pot of influences. We are a “fusion people”. The designer understands this in fact she is a product of this environment. She is alert to all of this therefore she channels this into her designs and it is inevitable that the finished product encapsulates fusion fashion.

Photo Credit: Heather Jones International

Photo Credit: Heather Jones International

Notwithstanding, this nation is very fortunate to have someone so valuable, alive and approachable for consultation on the way forward for Trinidad and Tobago’s creative industries. At first glance the average person browsing her collections or viewing a random piece in a magazine or newspaper may not think that this woman, this creative entrepreneur, this iconic designer is so stellar or that she packs all these titles and accolades behind her name. Here is where I take my fifth lesson from Heather Jones. The lesson here is not to build to display but build to “disappear” or “work behind the scenes” to accomplish your life purpose. This is such a paradox as the fashion world is one that requires creating illusions, fostering imagination and brand communication through visual appeal. However, building to disappear and fulfill your purpose rather than building to “show off” can be done and Heather is a prime example of that. She has been building her empire in the fashion world neither for ostentatious, selfish purposes nor for expectations of recognition and status quo but for her life’s purpose. She exercises her will to realize her purpose in life by making the dreams of other women come true when she designs her collections. Her intentions are pure. She makes women feel better, feel empowered and feel inspired to go out into the world and complete their purpose too.

Photo Credit: Heather Jones International

Photo Credit: Heather Jones International

You can visit her website to preview her collection if you wish to stand out in local designer wear this Trinidad Carnival 2017 at www.heatherjonesinternational.net or visit her facebook page at www.facebook.com/heatherjonesinternational or call her up at 1.868.622.9075 or 1.868.467.9756

Heather Jones Designs International will be on my Carnival Fashion Tour this Saturday 11^th February 2017. Booking for the tour is available and you can send an email to letsgotrinidadandtobago@gmail.com to register.

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Press Release: Kaj Designs Employs A Bold Strategy To Penetrate The European Luxury Fashion Market

Posted on November 24, 2015by admin

Kaj Designs Employs A Bold Strategy To Penetrate The European Luxury Fashion Market

Premier Caribbean Mid-Luxury Fashion Brand Partners With Global Runway And Britain’s Destination Weddings And Honeymoons Abroad Magazine

The cover of the current November/December 2015 issue of Britain’s only specialist consumer magazine for the lucrative and growing wedding and honeymoons sector, Destination Weddings and Honeymoons Abroad (DWHA). Photo courtesy DWHA.

November 23, 2015 – Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago… With a steadfast focus to establish Kaj Designs as the Caribbean’s foremost mid-luxury fashion brand, the exclusive Trinidad and Tobago-based fashion house embarked on a bold strategy to penetrate the European market. This historic milestone introduced the brand to the thriving UK luxury fashion market via its distribution with the online boutique, Global Runway, coupled with an advertising campaign in Britain’s lavish specialist consumer magazine, Destinations Weddings and Honeymoons Abroad (DWHA). Over the past two months, Kaj further strengthened its market presence as DWHA’s exclusive international fashion brand and partner at two of London’s leading trade events, The National Wedding Show (TNWS) and the World Travel Market London (WTM London).

Kaj’s silk asymmetrical lounge with collar and pocket accents can be styled to transition from day to evening or from seaside to cocktail. Photo courtesy Kaj Designs.

These alliances with Global Runway as well as DWHA, have given Kaj access to the largest online luxury fashion market globally as well as Europe’s lucrative and growing wedding and honeymoons sector. “We have employed a two-pronged approach in market penetration in order to achieve success internationally. The opportunity to gain market share in two of our key target market segments hinges on making our brand accessible to the consumer while also elevating the profile of the brand via our marketing efforts. Our primary objective is to position Kaj as the Caribbean’s leader in luxury fashion. This initiative marks a critical one for us,” shared Kaj’s CEO, Liza Miller.

Kaj’s long sleeved evening dress in a dark olive and black jaguar print was captured behind the scenes of Global Runway’s promotional photo shoot in Verona, Italy. Photo courtesy Global Runway.

On location action in the streets of Verona, Italy during the shooting of Kaj’s long sleeved evening dress in a blue, grey and ivory miscellaneous safari print. Photo courtesy Global Runway.

Kaj’s full-page ad campaign was launched in the November/December 2015 issue of DWHA, which is currently available online at http://x2t.com/KajxDWHA and throughout the UK at leading newsagents and retailers including Harrods, Selfridges and at all London airports as well as in the USA, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Cape Town, Monaco, Paris, Germany, Singapore, Belgium, Switzerland, Ireland and New Zealand. This special issue of DWHA, which was published on September 24, 2015, was also distributed at TNWS from September 25 to 27, 2015 and at the recently concluded WTM London from November 2 to 5, 2015. As DWHA’s exclusive international fashion brand and partner, Kaj’s promotional material was distributed in DWHA’s gift bags at TNWS.

Members of the production crew apply finishing touches on location in New York City during Global Runway’s shooting of Kaj’s silk asymmetrical lounge with collar and pocket accents in a Kelly green, white and black abstract print. Photo courtesy Global Runway.

A model gets playful on location in New York City during Global Runway’s shooting of Kaj’s long sleeved evening dress in a taupe, cream and black abstract print. Photo courtesy Global Runway.

The timeless luxury of Kaj’s classic resort creations cater to the discerning taste of KajFABfemmes who are confident women that boldly declare their sense of style and sophisticated sensuality in any fora. KajFABfemmes may shop limited edition pieces and experience the exclusive versatility, fine quality and impeccable finish of the Kaj Resort collection via Global Runway at www.global-runway.com. Visit Kaj on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kajdesigns or on Twitter and Instagram @KajDesignsLIVE to stay in the KajFAB know. For more information email info@kajdesigns.net.

That’s a wrap! Global Runway’s model and production crew pose on set at the end of a promotional photo shoot in New York City. The model dons Kaj’s classic twill trousers in a burnt orange, brown and ivory miscellaneous safari print. Photo courtesy Global Runway.

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Liza Miller, Managing Director
estuary PR Limited
Phone: (868) 367-5295
Email: liza@estuaryPR.com
www.estuaryPR.com

Italy Bound

Posted on June 25, 2015by admin

I am always so amazed that one nation has so many ethnic influences. I am even more thrilled by how many foreigners are finding entrepreneurship to be the Caribbean goldmine in Trinidad and Tobago. Business tourism is one of the many sectors that is flourishing as Trinidad dons the name “Manhattan of the Caribbean.” Another aspect of business that goes hand in hand with tourism is food. The colonizers can probably hold responsibility for all that is happening now. It is so ironic that the nation changed so many hands from European to British (and the list goes on and on) and today more than ever the foreign trade is making ties to this country and foreigners are migrating to set up business here. This is phenomenally paradoxical as the nation was fought for its trade potential ( among others) and now so many of its predecessor host county men and women are settling here for the purpose of business without the angst and hostility of war.

The Italians have since settled in Tobago and operate mostly food businesses. Hence, they celebrate their signature Italian food and desserts and they have been grown fond of over the years for their food and personable nature. In addition, this Italian food trend has become popular in Trinidad. There has been several launches of pizzerias, cafes and restaurants. The most recent that I have noticed happens to be Giro’s Pizza in Chaguanas. This is another first for Central Trinidad adding more cultural value to their landscape.

Giro’s Pizza is located at #87 Old Southern Main Road, Edinburgh Village in Chaguanas (just look for the red, green and white horizontal striped flag on the left hand side of the road opposite Wing Hua Chinese Restaurant). Their opening hours are Tuesdays to Thursdays 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays they open from 12:00 noon to 9:00 pm. Sundays are more laid back as they open from 4:00 pm to 8:00 p.m. Giro facilitates walk ins, order to pick up service and delivery service (at the extra cost of TTD$15.00). This quaint pizzeria does not provide dine in service and there is limited street parking.

The menu captures wood oven baked pizza with meat, fish, shrimp and vegetarian options. The pizza sizes vary from 10 inches to 15 inches. These pizza prices can start as low as TTD$45.00 and scale all the way up to TTD$110.00. There is also vegetarian, chicken and beef lasagne all at TTD$59.00. Some interesting desserts are also hand crafted and stored for the sweet tooth fans. These include key lime pie, classic cheesecake, carrot cake, tiramisu, almond mousse cheesecake and panna cotta. The dessert rates start at TTD$20.00 and vary until they taper at TTD$35.00 per item.

My experience

Location: 4 stars

This is a convenient and accessible location

Parking: 3 stars

There is limited parking in front of the shop. Thankfully I went on a holiday and there was parking on the other side of the road as the business there was closed for the day. However, there are many spots on the street that accommodate parking.

Cleanliness: 4 stars

Giro keeps his work stations clean and washes his hands frequently. There is proper storage and refrigeration of food. Overall, clean place. But there is always room for improvement in sanitation.

Service:4 stars

There was a wait before getting the orders done but it was not very long as the pizza making and baking did not take long either. It is useful to note this can be a one man show at times (well at least the day I visited). The pizza chef did everything it seems; the cashing and pizza making but he is quite attentive, humble, warm and keeps good humour (typical traits of most Italians).

Food: 4 stars

This is authentic Italian cuisine and the wood oven makes it even more realistic. I took pizza fanatics with me (I’m on a low fodmap diet so I really cannot indulge in certain items for a while) to do the taste testing. They ordered a large eight slice Nibali pizza at TTD$90.00. This consisted of mozzarella, tomato sauce, pepperoni, pineapple and onions. They swapped the pepperoni for chicken on half of the pizza which is also an option if you would like to try two different types of pizza. They thoroughly enjoyed it but were not overly impressed as one of them found it not to be “fulling” to them whilst the other was able to eat twice from their share of pizza. Italian pizza is not American pizza so the Italian thin crust can probably account for this as well as the individual’s stomach capacity.

Ambiance: 4 stars

There is some homage to Italy with icons from the host country decorating the wall partitions. There is some abstract art on the wall as well. There are Giro Pizza logos branding the refrigerators and entrance. There is light Italian music and the live pizza making action and interaction of a busy light hearted Italian chef.

Price: 4 stars

The price is reasonable.

For more information on Giro’s Pizza

Visit them online at

https://www.facebook.com/pages/GiroPizza/1386129835039112?sk=timeline

or

Place your order

1-868-280-4476 (GIRO)