Theodore Elyett

For years, Theodore Elyett has pushed the envelope in Bahamian fashion. For 25 years, Elyett grew up in an era where there were at least three fashion shows a year.

“At that time, I was a 13-year-old designer making my way into the fashion scene and I was showcasing alongside major designers like Shane Rolle, Percy Wallis, Terrence Major, Sabrina Frances, Patrice Lockhart and these were some of the big names in fashion 25 years ago,” he told Up and Away.

“After some of them passed away, it felt like the fashion scene fell off and so I was very refreshed and happy that the Independence Secretariat thought it fitting that they recognized the orange economy and to remember those whose shoulders we stand on and to give current designers the platform to show people why we love what we do. It was an explosive, exciting and enjoyable experience for me.”

Elyett is world-renowned for his craft. He has been to People’s Republic of China for their 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations with The Bahamas; Buckingham Palace; Los Angeles with Ebony Fashion Fair; Jamaica; Philippines and Miss Universe just to name a few.

However, while Elyett is inspired by The Bahamas, he does not think that people identify his designs as strictly Bahamian.

“I think for me, you do not look at my piece and say, ‘Oh, he’s a Bahamian designer.’ You can look at my pieces and say, ‘Oh, they are very exotic. It must be an island nation designer.’ But the beauty of an island nation designer is that often, you will find the beauty in our pieces. And so, for me, as a Bahamian designer and a designer of the Caribbean region, you can see the influences of the beautiful hues of the waters that surround The Bahamas. Oftentimes, I design with shades of blue and the flora often makes it in my designs. I like to play with colour and texture and so the designs that I use are 100 percent Bahamian. I often use Bahama Handprints because I love their textiles because it speaks to The Bahamas and the beauty of the Caribbean,” he said.

“I think that when my pieces do walk down an African runway, a European or North American runway, they are able to see that this is an exotic designer. I want to be a designer that is inspired by The Bahamas and the beauty of what makes The Bahamas the gem of the Caribbean. That adds to the mystery of it. When people see my designs, they know that it is not European, but they must look closely to see where it is from. That is the role a Bahamian designer plays.”

He said he is hoping that in the future, more Bahamians buy Bahamian clothing.

“A lot of times, you will see us have a lot of major events, but you do not see Bahamians, buying Bahamian – not very often. I cannot put my finger on how Bahamian fashion will look in the future, but it is up to Bahamians to buy from Bahamian designers. There was once a slogan that said ‘believe in Bahamians’ and I think the only way to do that is if Bahamians buy more Bahamian brands. That is what I want to see for the future of Bahamian fashion.”

Elyett also gave a message for young creatives.

“They must realize there is talent and there is work. Talent is the gift, and every creative has it. But work is the choice you make every day when you wake up as to whether you are going to operate in that gifting,” he said. “The work takes that talent to the next level. The work is what puts the talent in rooms where it is supposed to be. You cannot wake up and say I do not have the resources or not the skill set to do this. But if you wake up with a positive mindset, you can get yourself into the rooms you are supposed to be in. The beauty about the struggle is putting in the work. Every day I decide to put in the work is one step closer to pushing the brand.” UA