Fashion Forward Fashion Forward

By Kendea Smith

There is no doubt about it – Bahamian fashion has evolved by leaps and bounds. Bahamian fashion designers have managed to keep on trend with international designers producing innovative designs that exude Bahamian flair. At the recent National Independence Fashion Show held at Baha Mar, many Bahamian fashion designs were on full display. Up and Away spoke to some of the event’s designers who shared about the way forward for Bahamian fashion.

If there is one word that describes Sabrina Frances’ work, it is “timeless.” For more than 40 years, Frances – under her company She’B – has pioneered many unique designs for occasions such as proms, pageants, banquets, galas, and weddings. And because her work mostly features special occasions, she can design with lots of fabrics that have dynamic textures and keep many of her garment’s everlasting.

Frances has been featured in publications such as Ebony and Atlanta Weddings and participated in the UNESCO Designer Fashion showcase in 2012.

She said she is pleased with the direction of Bahamian fashion.

“Bahamian fashion is really evolving. I can say that because from I started, to now, we are seeing so much new up-and-coming talent and they are taking it to another level. And it is really getting to a point where we are on the international stage and we are really giving [international designers] a run for their money,” Frances said.

“I am very practical in my designs. I am not overly dramatic, although I could get that way. But for most of my clients, I try to be more classic. With my designs, it is something that you can wear 10 to 20 years from now. Most of the time, it is for the occasion and something that you are going to wear for that time. Bahamian ladies do not like to wear the same thing twice and that is the kind of design that I can do.”

Frances said she is delighted to see more young people enter the fashion scene.

“It is such an interesting journey,” she said. “Any young person getting in this should stay the course. Your name is always out there. People respect you and always look out for what you are going to do next, and it is a great journey for an up-and-coming designer. It is an interesting and lucrative journey.”

Navardo Dawkins

As a newcomer to the Bahamian fashion scene, Dawkins started his career a mere eight years ago. But in that short time, he has made a name for himself locally and is looking to take his line Navashion internationally.

Dawkins started in the culinary industry after taking the subject in high school. However, he found that he had a passion for fashion and wanted to take Bahamian clothing to the next level. “I found that many people just always looked the same,” he said. “I got annoyed with it and so I got a second-hand sewing machine, and I went to the fabric store, made an outfit for myself and I never stopped after that. I was my first muse and then I started on my mother and my sister, and I have been creating clothes ever since.”

Dawkins gained the opportunity to travel to China, London, Vietnam, multiple states across the U.S., Curaçao, Panama, and Canada.

He has held two local independent runway shows, a relief benefit show, served as the lead designer of the 50th National Independence Runway Show 2023, and was the headliner of Mercedes-Benz South Texas International Fashion Week 2018. He has also been featured in publications such as Harper’s Bazaar and Black Bride 1998.

In 2021, he received the top 48 millennial award for fashion, business, and education by Project Bahamas.

Dawkins’ specialty is haute couture and bridal. Those masterpieces can cost anywhere between

$1,100 to $3,000. “It really depends on what the client wants. If they want rhinestones, lace, or something special, it may cost a little more,” he said. “Some people like a lot of texture and volume and I just work with what the client wants and what would make them look and feel special.”

However, he is looking to design more ready-to-wear pieces.

“I like to create couture gowns and that’s what I’m known for,” he said. “However, I want to see more Bahamians wearing Bahamian-made fashion and I think ready-to-wear is a great place to start.”

Dawkins sees Bahamian fashion as one that has many tiers but is hardly appreciated.

“The girls today do not mind if they get a $5.00 dress from SheIn because if they can go out and make a statement, they do not mind. Bahamians do not really appreciate their own. They would spend money on a known name brand but will not spend the same money on a locally made Bahamian-designed shirt because they do not see the value in it. Bahamian fashion is very pop culture influenced,” he said.

“This is something that I want to change because Bahamians get the concept of fashion shows so mixed up. I am trying to switch that narrative and let people have better access to my clothing. I am going to make my ready-to-wear in different sizes and patterns and that is the way that I am going to move my brand. I want Bahamians to be able to go on my website, order my clothes, and have it shipped to their house.”

Dawkins said he is excited about the launch of his website, which was scheduled to go live by July 10th (Independence Day).

He also intends to host his own fashion show in October.

“I am also reaching out to international fashion influencers, so that they can post them. I realize that you do not have to be other places to make a statement because of social media,” he said. “So, now, I am targeting people who are in my clientele that I would want, so that they can be ambassadors for my brand. I studied a little bit of marketing, and I am using that to promote my brand.”

Dawkins also had a message for young people who want to get into fashion.

“I would say start now; why wait? You must start, and you might fail. But failing is actual a beautiful part of the process because you can get back up and start again. Just start. However, the journey goes, it is just a part of your story.”