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Peter Coppin Carol Cadogan-Fox Livvi Franc Richard Haynes Isabelle Baulu

PEOPLE

Content

Up close and personal with songwriter Livvi Franc

Peter Coppin talks exclusively about the Monstapiece brand, radio and music of the region

Swimsuit designer Isabelle Baulu tells us what it takes to make good swimwear, build a brand and become a mermaid

Young singer on her way to stardom

Meet the brothers doctors everyone is talking about

Renowned clothing designer on her beginnings, life in Barbados and fashion now

HAPPENINGS It’s playtime at the Mews for a few business people

Diamonds International welcomes Broadway stars

Bajan environmentalists, organic food supporters and foodies got together with local chefs to encourage healthy living

Its remarkable j’ouvert band is revealed

Festival of the year in retrospect

Beautiful event for the launch of a new product line

M SPECIAL Barbados’ most famous restaurant chain opens new branch

ON THE COVER: Carnival Girl illustration

by Jason Waithe

Clint Gregory’s inspiring work

THIS PAGE: Designer: Isabelle Baulu Photographer: Curwin Cherubin MUA: Kia Foster Blades

A TO Z

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This photo by Curwin Cherubin; make-up by M.A.C Cosmetics

edi tor ’s note

Holler to all M People!

It is summer in the Caribbean and time for some hot days, carnival diet, costume selection and soca! It is time for our summer issue and its leitmotif - Crop Over.

As M People is expanding (literally in pages) and growing as a brand, we are happy to be part of the carnival fever and give our support to the original and extraordinary, Mix Nutz.

This fresh j’ouvert band is exactly what Crop Over is all about: fun, good music and good people. As their media sponsor, M People will be following the Mix Nutz boys through the year on their road to carnival.

Crop Over veteran Peter Coppin shares his 15 years’ experience in Monstapiece with us, Richard Haynes of Baje International graces our pages from A to Z and we pay homage to fashion icon, Carol Cadogan-Fox, who was once featured in Vogue magazine. Her vintage, wearable pieces of art are as powerful today as they were at the time she made them.

Another inspiring, but younger business lady, Isabelle Baulu tells us a bit about the other side of the designing process – creation, materials, sewing - and making it work in numbers.

All great reads!

Not going to talk much more about what’s inside. See for yourself.

Stay good, stay happy and celebrate this carnival season.

Peace!

Nadja Soodeen Managing Editor

editor ’s pick I do not follow trends blindly, but I like to pick something trendy that is unique and wearable when the trend is long gone.

Layering bracelets to make a luxe, oneof-a-kind look, is one of those things. It’s so creative! I did it with my Shashi ethno piece from Always Summer.

behind the M

Carol Cadogan-Fox wearing one of her exquisite, handcrafted jackes

Thumb up for M People from Lewis Hamilton

Photographer Curwin Cherubin capturing Sea Reinas founder Isabelle Baulu

Behind Top Gear: M People’s Managing Editor Nadja Soodeen with Top Gear media assistant Sheena Clarke

Lewis Hamilton hanging out with Bajan fans after the race

On the set with designer Carol Cadogan-Fox and model Joelle Hall

a story of a

Mermaid Photography by Curwin Cherubin

Words by Natasha Simpson

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Slowly sipping peppermint tea on a quiet afternoon at Coral Reef Club, I drifted with Isabelle Baulu into a world that is swimsuits, mermaids and social conscience – into the world of Sea Reinas.

and pique their curiosity. Perfectly poised to intertwine her educational knowledge with her artistic talents, Isabelle embarked on Sea Reinas as an enterprise.

I learn soon enough that Sea Reinas is not just a swimwear brand, but a mermaid lifestyle. Who is a mermaid you may ask? A Sea Reinas mermaid is ambitious and transformative, she knows where she is going, but she isn’t afraid to reinvent herself.

These women are curious adventurers, sharp minded, generous with others and honour female companionship. They are femme fatale! Not to mention they always look clean and coquette; their bikinis and jewellery incite whispers of admiration.

experiences of life and travel are her Sea Reinas swimsuits. The suits are a combination of impeccable design, high quality materials and collaborations with artists such as Marzio Fiorini and Tanya Moss. Flattering

“I’m in love with cities I’ve never been to and people I’ve never met, like John Green,” Isabelle tells us,

hand-made cotton laces like eyelet and crochet, they

lingerie with fresh colours. The balconette tops and lace panties are their hallmark and inimitably Sea Reinas.

The luscious, but solid design extends to their jewellery collection featuring their namesake mermaid symbol.

The delicate pieces are fashioned in both gold and silver.

and only the beginning of her mermaid persona. determined, creative, ambitious and well-travelled.

This ‘mermaid’ grew up in Barbados where she attended Queen’s College, then later pursued studies in Canada and later South America. Isabelle married her Master of Science in Latin American Development Economics, with an eye for design, thereby creating Sea Reinas. This mermaid is much more than a swish of the tail; she’s an accomplished business executive and an artist with a thirst for knowledge.

When I asked Isabelle to reveal her inspiration, her response opened a window through which the uniqueness of Sea Reinas was revealed. “I am inspired by contrasting environments: tropical landscapes and European cities. I gain inspiration from languages and people that devote their lives to social development.” Isabelle gains further inspiration from her parents’ devotion to environmental and social causes.

The Creative Director of her company, Isabelle developed the concept of Sea Reinas while pursuing her Master’s degree. “I studied development economics because I like to discern trends and build concepts,” she says. In between her busy schedule of researching, university classes and fashion school, bikinis to her friends. It is through this that she learnt about the female shape and was able to identify one common thread among all of the women: their physical insecurities. With this knowledge Isabelle felt compelled to create more than a bathing suit for real women, but a brand that would empower them

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Sea Reinas is multi-faceted and what sets it apart from its competitors comes from a unique focus on distinct vision and strong brand identity, is what elevates Sea Reinas. The ‘Wanderlust’ campaign expresses this mermaid lifestyle perfectly and won me over instantly.

I was enchanted by the whimsical display of striking swimwear showcased on some of the island’s most magical beaches using gorgeous oceanic blues and sandy tones as the backdrop. The models appeared comfortable in their bikinis and the images look natural and effortless. I think what appealed most to me was class. I couldn’t resist the call of the mermaid.

Isabelle explains that the creative and production process has many layers from research to completion, starting with compilation of inspiration and various areas of research. A model is then drafted on CAD software and traced onto a paper mould. After this, a prototype is completed, usually revisions are required, meaning sample is created by their skillful seamstresses or tailor.

The sample then goes through a testing process to ensure the mould sits correctly on the skin. This is done with every single one of their models until an entire collection is completed.

“The most delicious part is compiling images, sketches, collaborating with your team and coming back with a prototype,” she says, adding, “the challenging part is making it happen in numbers.”

Isabelle, along with her dynamic team which includes an administrator in Colombia, a modelist, promotional

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Model Janay Cumberbatch Is wearing Waterfall balconette top in emerald, adjustable back and neck straps for halter or strapless styling;Barbados panty in mint with adjustable tie-sides

Photo1: Kia Foster Blades is wearing lace Balconette top in white with Brazilian crochet, adjustable back and neck straps with lace bikini bottom with Colombian lace frills Photo2: Wave balconette top in sapphire and cheeky panty featuring Marzio Fiorini’s wave piece in white recycled rubber Photo3: Janay is wearing Retiro blue/purple bikini with multiple straps for versatile styling

product developer, graphic artist and of course, seamstresses who manufacture the pieces in Medellin, Colombia - all work together to ensure the end product is nothing short of perfection.

Sea Reinas already has an impressive portfolio of accomplishments, such as the recent launch of their online store, a showing at Barbados Fashion Week Bahamas. True to Isabelle’s mermaid philosophy and her personality she is determined to continue to build her brand and is moving forward with even more ambitious goals in sight. From July 19 to 22 they are introducing Sea Reinas to the world at SwimShow, a show hosted in Miami where buyers from over 60 countries representing boutiques, specialty stores and the online market will converge. Isabelle aspires for the brand to have a strong presence in global cities like LA, Paris and Hong Kong, as well as beach destinations like Cannes, Punta del Este and Sydney.

What I have learnt is that it is not any one thing that makes Sea Reinas special, but a culmination of unique variants. The thoughtful design of the swimsuits, exclusive collaborations and exceptional quality competitors. The creativity, determination, dedication and perhaps most importantly, one mermaid’s ambition to share her philosophy and social conscience with others, make Sea Reinas truly inspiring and unique.

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