A TASTE
AT THE START of February, women all across Barbados look forward to the annual Girlfriends Expo as a way to get rejuvenated and inspired. The annual event which was the brainchild of event director Kimtara Amory-Clarke was started as a way for women to connect, learn, and forge some bonds of sisterhood, has grown substantially each year, both in the numbers of those attending and those exhibiting. Now in its sixth year, the Girlfriends Expo is looking
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once again to transform the Concorde Experience on February 7 and 8 to the hottest place to be in Barbados. Each year, the expo highlights and hosts a new theme country, and this year the focus will be on India and giving patrons an authentic Indian experience showcasing the food, fashion, and customs that are a part of the large Indian community on the island. “This year, the expo is definitely bigger, always better. What we do every year is that we theme the expo and this year we’re
LADIES. The show you’ve been waiting for is finally here, once again. The annual Girlfriends Expo comes off on February 7 and 8 at the Concorde Experience. Come get a taste of India. (GP)
doing an Indian theme, a Taste Of India,” said Amory-Clarke. “In terms of how we present it, it will be in the cuisine, the decor, and even how we are dressed and how certain things are displayed. We do extend our theme to our exhibitors but we’re not restricted to it, so you’ll also experience the theme coming out in some of the booths.” More than 20 corporate sponsors have also come on board for the 2015 event such as IGM Stage Lighting, JetBlue, Massy Distribution, Scotiabank, Neutrogena,
MQI, ICBL, Durex, Olay, Stansfeld Scott, L’Oreal, Paris, Trident 10TV and more. For proof that this year’s Expo has grown since last year’s event, one need only to look at the number of exhibitors that are contributing to the event’s growth and continued success. “We have roughly 100 exhibitors, up from the 85 which were featured last year, and the venue really can’t hold more than that.” Clarke said. “This is our third year at the Concorde Experience
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and I was surprised at the number of exhibitors given the current economic climate and how early they came on board.” According to AmoryClarke, some exhibitors had finalised arrangements as early as July last year. While there are core exhibitors who return every year, there were a lot of new businesses that were eager to take part. “The number of new people that were coming was phenomenal,” Amory-Clarke said. “Usually when we get new exhibitors, they tend to start small but
people were starting big opting for booths. By late September and early October, we were already sold out.” Organisers of the Girlfriends Expo have gone to great lengths to ensure that the weekend event is jam-packed with activities for patrons to enjoy. Whether your tastes lean toward fashion and beauty, or you’re a connoisseur of fine cuisine, or you just want to be enlightened, then there’s something for you. “Our main stage is
A TASTE
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THIS YEAR you can look forward to a bigger and even better Girlfriends Expo. (SP)
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“Basically it’s sex education with a fun twist so we are taking the opportunity always a hive of activity. Rodney Powers is where women are excited and like the actually the coordinator for the main stage, ambience of the condom party to educate so throughout the day you’ll have different them on the importance of healthy and styling stations, the fashion shows, and a safe sexual practices,” Clarke added. Along with checking out the extensive whole host of activities happen on the exhibitors that will be showcasing their main stage,” Amory-Clarke said. “We also have our speakers room which is where we products and businesses, women will get the opportunity to see live tapings of some host our Feminars, which are our womenof their favourite shows through an only seminars that feature a wide range alliance with Trident 10 TV. of topics. “I know that we’re going to have Carita “Every year we do a makeup seminar D with Girlfriend Get a Life. I know Lady NV and this year we have L’oreal highlighting will be there to talk about Real Talk with beauty tips. We have a showcase on Lady NV and a couple of the others ,” healthy eating, and another on orgasmic intelligence which is by Katrina Ifil, which is Amory-Clarke said. “We’re also working closely with the more on the sexual side. We also have Coooking Channel which will also be doing things on finance, budgeting, and our a demonstration of Cooking With Carol on feminars are held on the hour every day Sunday and a pastry demonstration with between 1 and 5 p.m.” Esther James on a Saturday. Esther will be Certain facets of the Girlfriends Expo preparing and icing a cake of a Hindu have become favourites with patrons and naturally the organisers try to ensure that Temple which will be left on display for all to see.” each year they’re improved upon. One of Patrons of every age are sure to be the biggest draws is the condom party, entertained and educated, and treated to playfully dubbed “Cupcakes Condoms And some delightful fare during the highly Cocktails and is sponsored by Durex and anticipated two-day event. Pillowtalk Caribbean.
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SPEAKERS’ ROOM
NEUTROGENA MAIN STAGE
Saturday 2 p.m. – Orgasmik Intelligence – Katrina Ifill 3 p.m. – I Am A Girl Barbados 4 p.m. – Beauty Tips by L’Oréal Paris 5 p.m. – Healing with Heru 7 p.m. – Durex Condom Party Sunday 2 p.m. – Orgasmik Intelligence – Katrina Ifill 3 p.m. – I Am A Girl Barbados 4 p.m. – Everyday Glam by Colour Coded 5 p.m. – Healing with Heru 7 p.m. – Durex Condom Party
Saturday and Sunday
KIMTARA AMORY-CLARKE, managing director of Girlfriends Foundation. (GP)
THE GIRLFRIENDS arm works with women EXPO is the doing “feminars”, talks, fundraising arm of the and other opportunities charity Girlfriends for personal and Foundation which professional growth. tries to help women “The feminars throughout the year are popular at the using a variety of Girlfriends Expo but means. But at the we try to continue them A TASTE OF INDIA expo, some of those throughout the year,” women will get Amory-Clarke said. additional help, particularly in trying to get ‘They are designed to be in a very their small businesses off the ground. intimate setting because we find that “One of the things that we do every year women don’t want to talk when the is that we sponsor booths for people out numbers are too large. So we try to keep there, mainly women, who are trying to start it at 15 to 20 people so that women can a small business and may need a little talk openly and honestly and explain their assistance,” said managing director challenges and that way the foundation Kimtara Amory-Clarke. can determine the best way to assist. “With the expo, we give them the “We’ve done feminars on beauty tips, opportunity to showcase their business personal grooming, sessions on preparing or products free of cost because we yourself for the working world. We’ve done [Girlfriends Foundation] will sponsor the sessions with psychiatrists so that women space. We try our best to assist these are better able to cope with stress and women in getting their businesses set up depression, so we try to do different and they can use that opportunity at the sessions on a monthly basis.” Girlfriends Expo as a launching pad.” According to Amory-Clarke, there’s a But it isn’t only the expo that brings the great sense of fulfilment in the work that’s work of the Girlfriends Foundation to the being done to help promote and advance forefront. Throughout the year, the charity the cause of women in Barbados.
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Style Lounge Stage 1:15 p.m. – Matrix Style File – India (Matrix Style File Hair Competition) 2 p.m. – Essie Nail Gala – India (Nail Artist Competition) 2:45 p.m. – Maybelline New York Flawless Battle – India (Make-up Artist Competition) 3:30 p.m. – Abed’s Designer Extraordinaire Challenge – India (Designer Competition) 5 p.m. – Diamond Entertainment and Daresque
6 p.m. – Runway Showcase ( Local Designers and Stores) 9 p.m. – Live Entertainment TRIDENT LOUNGE Saturday 2 p.m. – Real Talk with Lady NV 4 p.m. – Sweet Treats with Esther James 5 p.m. – Cooking with Carol Sunday 2 p.m. – Girlfriend Get A Life with Carita Dee 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. – Stoli Mixology Competition
A KERNEL of an idea birthed in 2006 has emerged as an innovative initiative to drive forward development of the fashion industry in Barbados. The Caribbean Market Center (CMC), currently in the final stages of buildout at the Newton Industrial Estate, is an approved Caribbean Vocational Qualification centre as designated by the Technical and Vocational Educational and Training (TVET) Council of Barbados and is poised to deliver a series of courses designed to develop and enhance skills in the local
THE MOUTH-WATERING SAMPLES of cake, mousse, and jelly candy are sure to tempt many a visitor stopping by the Do It Sweet Pastry booth at Girlfriends Expo 2015. The pastry and dessert enterprise specialises in providing cakes, cheese cakes, petits fours and handmade chocolates for all occasions. Visitors to the Do It Sweet Pastry booth will be able to get a feel for the cakes and desserts normally available for special times of the year like Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Easter. Some items will also be on display patrons and they will get to learn more about the deli and mobile dessert service which Do It Sweet Pastry will be bringing on stream in the very near future. In addition, Do It Sweet Pastry has joined hands with Moses Bakery & Pastry to be able to offer freshly made special breads and wedding cakes. It will also be providing packages for wedding dessert tables, canapé and dessert tables for cocktail parties and wine or champagne parties. Contact Do It Sweet Pastry at 420-1235 to place your order.
fashion industry. Upon completion, the Caribbean Market Center will house a fully functional production room, classroom and resource centre, designers’ showroom, and a runway, among other facilities. Nine students are currently enrolled in the
ESTABLISHED in 2010, La Rosa Couture Inc. has earned a reputation in the local market for one-off couture pieces, small batch ready-to-wear lines of apparel, executive work wear, uniforms for the hospitality industry, and sportswear kits. The company has also started to gain favourable feedback and opportunities regionally, as a manufacturer of high-quality apparel. La Rosa Couture Inc. currently operates from a spacious and well appointed facility at Building #12 in Wildey Industrial Park, St Michael. With adequate layout space for workflow efficiency, the company offers
fashion design Level II course, an extensive programme that includes general business as well as fashion-related modules. The Caribbean Market Center plans to provide certified training in fashion and related areas not
its design and manufacturing services to enhance the overall corporate image of companies and organisations. Visitors to the La Rosa Couture Inc. booth at Girlfriends Expo 2015 will get the chance to experience one of a
currently available or at levels not presently offered in Barbados. These include training in graphic design for textiles, make-up artistry and fashion photography, among others. Contact 267-4054 for more information.
kind, modern, trendy pieces. Most of the pieces are made of matte jersey and other stretch fabrics and will be featured in sizes from small to extra large. Contact 622-1369 for further information.
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A TASTE
(GP)
20 EASY. FEBRUARY 1, 2015.
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YOU CAN’T HAVE an event that’s designed for women without incorporating fashion and beauty. This year’s Girlfriends Expo will be pulling off a fashion extravaganza, thanks to the vision of Rodney Powers, managing director of Caribbean Market Center. As the coordinator for the expo’s main stage, Powers’ forward thinking fashion approach will not only showcase the exotic styles of India, but will feature different styling stations for hair, make-up and nails, as well as tantalising fashion shows that are sure to keep the audience talking. “This year, we wanted to go big and get the audience involved, and get younger girls involved from the Barbados Community College and the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic, and some young guys as well,” Powers said. “So we’ve created some challenges where we can get these schools involved.” According to Powers, one such challenge is the SC Nail Gala where nail technicians compete and the best nail technician will receive between $500 and $1 000 in SC Nail Products compliments of SC Nail Products. But it doesn’t stop there. “Then we have the hairstyling challenge which is also sponsored by Matrix. Basically, it’s a hairstyling competition for the young upcoming cosmetologists from the different cosmetology schools here in Barbados who get to showcase some creative hair designs,” Power added. Fashion itself will take centre stage with a series of different fashion shows throughout the weekend. We’ll be showcasing the upcoming fashion designers from BCC, Polytechnic, Skills Training,” he said. We have extended the competition and there are challenges that will take place onstage compliments of Abed’s. So at every single challenge participants will be winning prizes.” For the make-up aficionados, there will be the opportunity for makeup artists to show good face with the Maybelline Flawless Battle. In this segment, they’ll be incorporating make-up looks from India as well. Since the event’s theme is a Taste Of India, Powers plans to highlight that in the fashion segment in a big way. “We’re looking to do an Indian-themed fashion show which will feature some intricate and exotic saris, and Indian fashion accessories along with henna tattoos,” Powers said. “We have extended the whole Indian theme in a really huge way. So everything that goes on the stage will have mostly Indian elements.” If you think all those elements make the fashion and style segment stand out, then be prepared to get a bit more pampering. “We have introduced a fabulous VIP Experience underneath the Concorde that’s very chic, where when the activities are going on for the show, you can sit and have your authentic Indian cuisine prepared by Caribbean Villa Chefs, sip some champagne, and relax centre stage, take in the action and enjoy the atmosphere for the entire day,”Powers said.
(GP)
FASHION and make-up will be in focus at this year’s Girlfriends Expo. (SP)
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