Olympia’s Fashions by Olympia Small-Sonoram of Guyana.
The Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) came to Barbados for the first time since 1981 and if there was one thing I had to check out, it was the fashion.
The Grand Market had amazing selections from across the region and I managed to take in the final fashion show. It featured Fifth Element, J’aime Crochet and Cicely Harewood of Barbados alongside Haiti’s Daphne Floreal, Jamaica’s Courtney Washington and Olympia’s Fashions of Guyana.
As part of my day job, I also had the opportunity to chat with some of the designers about their work. As if it wasn’t already obvious, I love hearing fashion creatives tell their stories.
You name it and it seems Ronna Watson of RW Couture Designs either makes it or plans to make it.
She creates jewellery from fabric, wire, rope, leather, feathers, beads and crystals but also learned to use clay and metal.
Manager of RW Couture Designs, Ronna Watson.
Ronna tells InMyWardrobe she made her first wedding band a few years ago and recently started making bow ties and jewellery for dogs and jewellery for dog and cat’ lovers and owners.
There’s more.
“I design inspirational words/ sentences for T-shirts and will be featuring a clothing line in the very near future along with sandals designs. I also manufacture wristlets and bags,” she reveals.
Told you she did it all!
If you’re wondering about the backstory, you’ve come to the right place.
RW Couture Designs started out as Simply Divine Creations and has been in existence since February 2010.
Ronna says she always believed she needed to show the world her creativity. She also saw becoming a jewellery designer as a great opportunity to become a part-time entrepreneur while at home with her daughter.
She underwent basic wire bending training with Angela Went of Angelique Creations and currently, beaded and wire pieces have proven to be the most popular.
Rope accessories are also catching on.
DIVINE INSPIRATION
Ronna says a lot of her inspiration comes from within.
“I usually communicate with the Creator and His guidance is seen in the products. There is a peace that is always evident on completion of the pieces as I am guided by Him. In addition, I love to create unique pieces and that is largely due to my uniqueness,” she says.
Unsurprisingly, Ronna designs for ladies who “embrace their unique style and embrace their unique personality”.
“They are usually quiet and calm but have a necessary fierce personality when required. They are confident in themselves. Most of my clients are mature ladies ranging from 25-55 years old,” she explains.
If you think I’ve told you all that Ronna makes, you’re wrong. She also manufactures unique home decor pieces including burlap and cotton table mats, some of which are reversible.
This very talented lady with the gifted hands plans to have a one-stop store in the near future but in the meantime, you can reach her on Facebook, Instagram and via her website.
My love for a good shopping experience is well-documented along with my love for things Caribbean. Local and regional designs in one location makes for easy, convenient shopping.
Unsurprisingly, this year’s Pompasette Popup Shop at the Barbados Museum once again had me in my happy place.
If I had no financial limitations, the damage would’ve been real but since I had to pace myself, I made four purchases.
1. A tee from SMWARNER artwithattitude. You may remember those gorgeous hand-painted pieces from the Pompasette Brunch Party.
2. Printed earrings from Peaces by Anya. I recently came across this brand and I’m definitely liking the options.
3. Necklaces from The Crop Pop Up Shop. The options were endless and gorgeous but I limited myself to just two.
4 . This wrap from Wrap Crush. Headwraps are often my weekend go-to and I can’t wait to play around with this one!
Now for all the things I left behind…
RORI wrap belts from Sew Lisa.Colour Riot JewelryColour Riot JewelryWarda Marica of Suriname.Sanianitos sunglassesStudsz 868Tautology goodies.The Crop Pop Up Shop.The Crop Pop Up Shop.Wilhelmina HeartWilhelmina HeartPeaces by Anya.Peaces by Anya.Peaces by Anya.Carnivalista tights and pasties.Wire bras and earpieces from Skin and Needle.The Crop Pop Up Shop.SMWARNER artwithattitude
