West Indian designers making an impact in U.S.

Last Sunday evening saw three West Indian designers coming together to debut their current spring collection. Based on the reaction from the patrons it was clear that these designers are making quite an impact on fashion in New York. While the main theme was black and gold, each designer revealed a few bold pieces.

Roman Mitchell showcased a sample of his swimwear and graphic tee-shirt line, Nomar. His line is based on dreaming big and daring to be creative. The models wore baseball t-shirts with black leggings down the runway.

Omegga 98 debut her collection with a yellow and black cut-out swimsuit. In an interview with this publication, she notes her culture influences her inspiration as her collection continuously have “a little bit of flavour. I just decided that since the show is gold and black, most of my pieces will be gold and black. Usually, when I’m doing a show, I use bright colours, floral colours. I love bright colours.”

Omegga 98 also wants everyone to feel the full Caribbean experience. She explains, “I like to have a Caribbean feel whenever I’m doing my show. I always ask them to play Soca music. It’s not an American thing. I always use Caribbean music, Soca mostly. The only time I would use America music is if the song that I’m using is pertaining to what I’m feeling while I was doing the pieces.” If she does use American music, she mostly uses Trinidadian born Rapper Nicki Minaj’s singles “Monster” and “Moment for Life.” Omegga 98 said, “This is my moment. This is what I love doing.”

Omega 98 relates that she has been designing for about four years and even remembers her path to success. “When I left Guyana, I came here in 2007. I went straight to D.C. I was feeling a bit homesick so I got myself a machine and went to the garment district and got some fabric. I used to work at the salon at the time. I started making some pieces and displaying them in the salon. I met a few girls who danced in the exotic clubs. I would make pieces for them. A lady said ‘I like this. If you could put a little more fabric just to cover up a little more, I could put you in a show.’ That was my first big show in D.C. She put me in her show and from her show, this other guy saw me and put me in his show.”

Since then, Omegga 98 has lost count of the shows she has been involved in. She cites Kimora Lee Simmons as the person whom she wants to be like in the future. “I like the idea that Kimora Lee does swim wear and she models her own pieces. She came out a modeling background and started her own designs. I didn’t come from a modeling background. I worked with Olympia in Guyana so that’s where I got my knowledge. I always admire Kimora because she’s so pretty and has those kids and she doubled her life.”

Omegga 98 future plans include opening a store in Guyana. Anyone interested in buying her clothes can find her on Facebook or email her at Omegga98@hotmail.com.

Guyanese designer, Carlos Williams whose collection is called Original Stush showed a variety of styles from swimsuits, jumpsuits, and dresses. A designer since 2009 in New York, Williams had been a tailor for fifteen years prior to designing.

As for his inspiration, Williams said, “I look at Project Runway like every week. I see how the designers work with the project. That has really truly been inspiring me. Every week I look at Project Runway and I see how those big designers put together the project.” His specialties include making clothes different by combing people styles with his own personal style. He said, “This show is the first show that I do in New York. This show is a stepping stone for me. I participated in other designer shows but this is the first time I did a show of my personal perception.”

One of his pieces included a retro black and gold striped short-sleeve top with embellished sleeves and a high-waist matching bottom swim wear. Williams commented, “This photographer in India [sent me] some different retro pictures. I’ve been looking at those pictures and that’s what’s given me that inspiration to do those big sleeves.” For the future, he hopes to open a store in the fashion district of Manhattan and put his website together.

Until the website is launched, his customers can get in touch with him via Facebook or phone, 347-444-4303. His last comments were, “I am just here from Guyana in New York trying to find my country flag and promote myself.” (Photos by Anika Thomas)