Spotlight on budding BTVI fashion students

Wed, Jul 29th 2015, 01:37 PM

Ashley Smith is experiencing an adrenaline rush as time draws nigh for the Miss Bahamas Organization’s (MBO) Top Model competition. She will be vying for the top designer award.

Smith will be among 15 fashion design students and alum of The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institution (BTVI), who have been designing pieces for contestants to model during the show dubbed, “Fashion in the Sky”. The competition will be held on August 16 in the Sky Bahamas hanger.

This year’s theme for the Miss Bahamas pageants (Miss World Bahamas, Miss Universe Bahamas and Miss Earth Bahamas) is “Beauty by Nature”. Each contestant will be paired with a current or former BTVI student during one of the fashion show scenes. While there will be judges to find the top model among contestants, there will also be judges to find the top designs on the runway. A top designer winner, along with first and second runners-up will be chosen.

Smith who is nearing completion of the gown that she said has kept her awake during the wee hours of the morning said she loves the show’s theme.

“I’m trying to maximize my creativity when it comes to the gown. My inspiration is peacocks. When people see this dress, I want them to see glitz and glamor,” said Smith. “It’s my first fashion show and I believe it will be good experience and exposure. It makes me feel I can do this,” said the young woman who has dreamed of being a fashion designer since she was 13.

Trineil Hanna, a 2006 fashion design graduate of BTVI is working on a design he hopes will wow the judges.

“My garment will be all things Bahamian with a twist. It is inspired by nature itself. You will see branches, birds, butterflies, flowers, straw, beads etc.,” said the excited 23-year-old.

The winner and runners-up of the top designer competition will each design three to four signature pieces and be paired with Miss World Bahamas, Miss Universe Bahamas or her first runner-up, Miss Earth Bahamas. Each queen will reserve one of the pieces for an international competition.

BTVI senior craft instructor Kathy Hamilton-Pinder is keeping close watch on the young designers.

“I’m watching and doing quality control. My goal is to help students produce superior work. Fashion is the best-kept secret at BTVI. We have an excellent team of instructors,” she said.

The opportunity afforded the BTVI students by the MBO became a reality through the sponsorship of Commonwealth Fabrics.

Commonwealth Fabrics accountant Lennox McCartney said they have long been a supporter of BTVI, but that the top designer contest takes it to another level.

“We want to encourage BTVI students in their endeavors, in their training and careers. Furthermore, this is in sync with our business, as community involvement is important,” said McCartney.

“We enjoy seeing BTVI students come to the store. The passion they display when coming in is a joy. We enjoy their spirit and enthusiasm. What they do with their talent is pay back,” said McCartney.

MBO’s director of special events, Zhivon Young, said businesses like Commonwealth Fabrics set the pace for others. Without their sponsorship he said opportunities may not come to fruition.

“Under normal circumstances, our students may not be able to do this out of pocket. As for the contestants, it’s one less outfit they have to come up with. Meanwhile, the competition itself showcases what can be obtained and created locally,” said Young. “It’s about getting these students on the map and we are grateful that Commonwealth Fabrics sees the vision.”

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