With the technological world of today, fashion design students were told that they do not have to be boxed in and the world is their market. That bit of advice came from president of the Montaque Group and Creator of Islands of the World Fashion Week, Owen Bethel, a panelist at a recent Fashion Forum held at The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI), where he emphasized to the students the importance of thinking globally.
"Don't limit yourselves to The Bahamas. Your competition is also the world. Draw a bridge between what you're learning and where you want to go," said Bethel.
Noting there will be disappointments and rejections along the way, Bethel who is also a member of BTVI's Program Advisory Committee (PAC) added that disappointments and rejections should be viewed as lessons.
Bethel told the aspiring fashion designers the significance of utilizing social media as a marketing tool.
"In this modern day, you have the means to get your product out there. It's the greatest marketing tool to have. You can't be intimidated by it. You have to use it."
The forum's other panelists included fashion designer and former BTVI student, Kevin Evans, along with Executive Director of Junior Achievement, Philip Simon. Under the theme, "Passion for Fashion," they discussed several topics such as pricing, networking and marketing.
Simon told students that market research is important, and emphasized fundamental aspects of business including honesty, reliability and punctuality.
Evans, who owns the Kevin Evans Collection, was one of the top three fashion designers at the Miami RAWards semi-final competition in November 2013. He believes more students can emerge from BTVI's fashion program and experience the success he has.
"They must overcome their fears. I want them to build their confidence. They must break that barrier, even if they start with family members and then friends. They must believe in their work," said the fashion designer who sewed his first garment for his grandfather.
Student Krystle Murphy said she was inspired by the work Evans brought with him to the forum. "I can take my dream further. The information helped to encourage me and will help me to stay driven," she said.
Lanova Lotmore said the exposure caused her to re-think her position about participating in fashion shows. "I didn't want to be in fashion shows, but the forum has pushed me to do so," said the student.
Lotmore went on to credit BTVI's fashion department headed by Shirley Pearson for her quest for perfection. "I am very detail-oriented and I was taught that at BTVI. The inside needs to be just as good as the outside," said the student who first sewed a glasses case for her mom at the age of four.
Taking a refresher course in fashion design at BTVI, Ann Bease, a custom bra maker also said how impressed she was with Evans' work, but also about the business tips the panelists shared.
"Students already have the fashion side, but if you don't have a business sense, you're doomed to fail," said Bease. "It was more than I expected and it related to our program. It was very informative, especially the business side of it."
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