NY Fashion Week: Guyana Showcase 2021

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While New York City has been trying to regain a sense of normalcy amidst the coronavirus pandemic, many of the city’s largest parades and festivals remain on pause as health and safety precautions.

This includes Labor Day weekend’s iconic J’ouvert and West Indian Day Parade held annually in Brooklyn, NY. However, notable entertainment mogul Philbert Giddings, has found a way to (safely) bring in Labor Day with Caribbean pride and flavor.

The Guyana Fashion Showcase made its New York debut last Sunday at the Marine Park Golf Course in Flatbush, just two years after its premiere debut in Georgetown, Guyana. While following COVID-19 protocols and regulations, Giddings, CEO and founder of GFS, successfully put on the show that was created to spotlight fashion talents emerging from his home country.

GFS certainly brought Guyanese culture to the Brooklyn venue in full force; catering authentic Guyanese and Caribbean cuisine, as well as serving musical performances from Guyana’s very own Christopher Nelson, and Shelly G.

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The indoor/outdoor fashion extravaganza, themed “The Garden City”, flaunted a 60 foot runway adorned with manicured turf, and flower petals. The stage’s backdrop was draped with Wisteria vines of various spring colors, and definitely brought a tropical vibe to the venue.

Now let’s talk fashion!

GFS featured collections from prominent Guyanese, Caribbean, and international designers. Amongst those designers was Guyana native and New York based fashion expert, Michelle Cole Wagner.

Wagner’s world-renowned ColeFacts collection, sashayed down the runway with fun, elegance, leopard print, and pockets! While well known for her bridal attire and pageant gowns (in which she did not disappoint on the GFS runway), Wagner also showcased more casual looks from her repertoire. Her collection started with fun flowing maxi dresses accented with pockets (who doesn’t love a dress with pockets?), and crescendoed into exciting, leopard print hooded jumpsuits, and cocktail ensembles.