The catwalk will go Caribbean this weekend, when models strut the styles of Jamaican designers.
“Stylin’ 2025 — Fi Wi Roots, Fi Wi Culture,” a two-night chic showcase set for Saturday and Sunday at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, is a fundraiser for the Louise Bennett-Coverley Heritage Council, a nonprofit that supports the cultural arts. Bennett-Coverley was a Jamaican poet, author, folklorist, actor, writer and educator.
“Miss Lou’s early exposure to storytelling and folk culture was from being around her dressmaker mother and her clients,” says Dona-Lee Raymond, president of the council’s board of directors. “This show celebrates the explosive fusion of fashion and culture.”
Jamaican-American labels will be featured, such as Miami Gardens’ Kulture Klothes, Oakland Park’s Camila Nina-Simone Davis for Badgyal Brukins and New York’s Hope Wade. There will also be Afrocentric fashion boutique pop-ups, head wrap demonstrations and giveaways.
Local models will include Audrey “Dancehall Queen” Reid, poet Susan “Dr. Sue” Davis, Miss Jamaica World 2010 Chantal Raymond, Lauderhill Mayor Denise D. Grant, Miramar Mayor Wayne M. Messam, Jamaica Consul General Oliver Mair, Tamarac Commissioner Morey Wright and Jamaicans.com founder Xavier Murphy.
Along with the couture, there will be other entertainment, including the Tallawah Mento Band and Jamaican Folk Revue. Also on the schedule: actor Ricky Rowe and TV personality Sophia Nicholson.
“We will also be introducing direct from Jamaica, the rising star, Zaila Jazz backed by the legendary guitarist, Eugene Grey, and his band,” says Maxine Plummer, a council director and producer/creative director of “Stylin’ 2025.” Saxophonist and singer Yishka is also a guest artist.
Designs from Camila Nina-Simone Davis for Badgyal Brukins, which is based out of Oakland Park, will be part of “Stylin’ 2025 – Fi Wi Roots, Fi Wi Culture.” (Louise Bennett-Coverley Heritage Council/Courtesy)
The hosts will be Sir Rockwell, Jody-Ann Gray and Suzette Speaks.
“The show will be the same for both nights,” says public relations spokesperson Eddy Edwards. “Staging over two nights gives members of the community an opportunity to see the show if they are unable to attend on one of the nights. Usually, the LBCHC performances are well supported and a second show is needed to satisfy demand from the community.”
Adds Plummer: “The council’s mission is to maintain the rich legacy of our cultural icon, Miss Lou, through the engaging vehicle of ‘edutainment.’ … We believe in the arts and see it as a powerful part of what defines us as Jamaicans, as seen in our mantra: ‘Wi likkle, but wi tallawah.’ (‘We may be small, but we are mighty.’) ”
IF YOU GO
WHAT: “Stylin’ 2025 — Fi Wi Roots, Fi Wi Culture”
WHEN:
7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20
4:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21
WHERE: Lauderhill Performing Arts Center (LPAC), 3800 NW 11th Place
COST: Seats are $50, $60 and $70
INFORMATION: 954-777-2055; louisebennettheritage.com
A design from Camila Nina-Simone Davis for Badgyal Brukins. (Louise Bennett-Coverley Heritage Council/Courtesy)
Kulture Klothes is based out of Miami Gardens and will be a part of this weekend’s two-day event. (Louise Bennett-Coverley Heritage Council/Courtesy)
