CURVY REV, The Magazine

CURVY REV T h e

Vol. 1 Issue 1

M a g a z i n e

The new look for Brides at Bridal Couture 2019

Caribbean Seamstresses on the verge of extinction

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Get in the mood this Valentine's with barely there lingerie

Meet Curvy Model Chanta Cole

The quarterly magazine of the Curvy Revolution Model Management

C O N T E N T S

A LOOK BACK AT OUR

CARIBBEAN EXPO FOR

BRIDES

Pgs 5- 10

ONLINE SHOPPING AND ITS TOLL ON

THE

FIERCE

&

FAB

CHANTA

COLE

REGIONAL SEAMSTRESSES

Chanta joined the The views of

Curvy Revolution

Trinidadian born

Model Management in

designer Lisa Barton-

2013 and by 2016 she

Volney who has made

was our model of the

St. Lucia her home. She

year. A consummate

said online shopping

professional she brings

has sounded the death

only her best to every

knell for Caribbean

camera and runway she

garment makers. pg 14

graces. pg 10

Images from Bridal Couture compliments Urban Bajan

A note from the Curvy Management

Building a fashion industry by building a regional fashion connection Hugh Williams & Alicia Clarke Co-Managing Directors of CRMM

When Alicia and I decided to host Bridal Couture in January it was part of our ongoing efforts to form a Caribbean connection between designers and models. We were lucky to have Shirrine Gillon from Antigua; Lisa Barton-Volney from St. Lucia; Shernicia Mayers from St. Vincent and Arielle Rock from Barbados.

The outstanding displays of bridal gowns, collections for bridal showers, bachelor and bachelorette parties, lingerie and swimwear were worn by models from Curvy Revolution Model Management (CRMM) and Dream Catcher Model Management from Antigua. The event was made even more special because it was held just a few days after our agency's fifth anniversary.

Now we are taking our curvy revolution to the next level with this quarterly magazine. Here we will share our achievements and those we collaborate with. There are so many talented people in the fashion industry but it is fledgling because we do not work together and we do not share our knowledge. That has to change and it is starting with the CRMM. Enjoy our first quarterly publication with highlights from this year's Bridal Couture including non-traditional designs in exciting colours and unusual fabrics for both men and women.

Meet one of our models, who has been with us since the agency opened in 2013 - the dynamic Chanta Cole.

Enjoy and thank you for taking this journey with us.

Hugh Williams Co- Managing Director

BRIDAL COUTURE The Caribbean Expo

The inaugural Bridal Couture was held at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute on Saturday, January 26 in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Three designers Lisa Barton-Volney, Shernicia Mayers and Shirrine Gillon came from St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Antigua respectively while Arielle Rock represented Barbados.

The event also created a space for other businesses in the wedding industry including confectioners and bakers. There were performances from the very talented Jamantha Blue and door prizes from sponsors were won by the audience.

The expo was well received and plans are on stream to make it an annual event.

Page 04

September 2019

Vol 1 Issue 21

Inside the Issue

SEA

&

SUN

In the classic colours of royal blue and gold which are special to the Caribbean, this gown also has lace applique. It translates easily into a late evening wedding with candlelight and soft lighting.

Designed by Shirrine Gillon; modeled by Josee Joseph.

CHANNEL

THE

EAST

Inspired by the continent of Asia this gown denotes royalty. Trends suggest that gold wedding dresses and metallic hues are going to be big in 2019. Designed by Shirrine Gillon; modeled by Charity Henry.

FORMAL

IN

GOLD

Gold suggests wealth and extravagance and can also mean a full enjoyment of life, with wisdom, power and the brightness and happiness linked with yellow hues. Designed by Shirrine Gillon; modeled by Juneilia James

Page 05

September 2019

Vol 1 Issue 21

Inside the Issue

GO

GREEN

A green wedding dress says optimism, honesty, luxury and represents nature and relaxation.

Reflect your love for the environment in this tye-dyed cotton gown. Designed by Arielle Rock; modeled by Ashanti Belgrave.

MAKE A DARING STATEMENT

TYE-DYE

In some cultures a red bridal gown suggests prosperity and fertility.

This gown is perfect if you are planning to get married on Valentine's Day or Christmas.

Designed by Shirrine Gillon; modeled by Ashana Beaton.

This tye-dyed gown in muted shades of brown can be worn for a beach or garden wedding. The cotton fabric is breathable. It could also be an option for bridesmaids. Designed by Arielle Rock; modeled by Ashana Beaton.

CAUGHT

ON

Page 06

September 2019

Vol 1 Issue 21

Inside the Issue

GUYS

GET

WHO SAYS BRIDES CAN ONLY

SPARKLE

WEAR WHITE?

Imagine your husband-to-be in this stylish suit in white and embellished with faux gems; the shoes add a snazzy touch. At the reception he would be lit under the bright lights. Designed by Shirrine Gillon; modeled by Anse Henry.

IN

WHITE

BOLD

Men can opt for brighter colours for their special day as well; nothing brighter than red. This is also an option for groomsmen and perfect for a beach wedding.

Designed by Shirrine Gillon; modeled by Anse Henry.

LISA

It's the 21st century, brides do not have to wear white. Instead they can opt for this butter-yellow gown to walk up the aisle.

Designed by Arielle Rock; modeled by Donisha Charles.

BARTON-VOLNEY

This designer/tailor/dressmaker was born in Trinidad and now lives in St. Lucia. She is SLU's 2018 seamstress of the year. She is the manager of De Kloze Line and De Zip Code. Her training is in fashion & fabric, clothing & textiles.

A R I E L L E

R O C K

Based in Barbados Rock loves to use bright colours and interesting fabrics in her wedding gown designs. Cotton is her fabric of choice though because of its suitability for Caribbean weather. Her style is a mix of traditional and avant garde.

Page 07

September 2019

Vol 1 Issue 21

Inside the Issue

CHOOSE

HEAT UP YOUR VALENTINE'S

GLAM

WITH

GOWN

IT

UP

IN

A

FORMAL

This beautiful emerald and blue gown not only reflects the sea and sky of the Caribbean, it was the gown of choice for the evening's compere and CEO of CRMM, Alicia Clarke; designed by Shirrine Gillon.

SHERNICIA

SEXY

BED

WEAR

Don't do the same ole same ole same ole this valentine's, spice up your night time with locally and regionally made lingerie. This design by Antiguan Shirrine Gillon; modeled by Charity Henry.

MAYERS

Based in St. Vincent, Mayers has her own brand Atlelier Shernicia with lines in swimwear, casual and formal wear and lingerie. She has showcased globally at Paris Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week and Tortola Fashion Week.

When was the last time you got dressed right up for that ultra event, hopefully with a red carpet?

This one-of-a kind was designed

by Shirrine Gillon of Antigua; modeled by Juneilia James.

S H I R R I N E

G I L L O N

The Antigua based Gillon's designs have graced runways in the Caribbean and internationally. She also manages the Dream Catcher Modelling Agency where she helps young men and women realise their fullest potential.

Page 08

September 2019

Vol 1 Issue 21

Inside the Issue

HIT FROM

TO

THE

THE

BEACH

CLUB

Isn't it great when your swimsuit can be converted into a top for the club? Black two-piece with just the right amount of pop of colour; pair it with jeans or slacks.

Designed by Shernicia Mayers; modeled by J'Noire Dunbreaker.

OWN

THE

THE

POOL

IN

CAMO

SHORE

Going to the beach has a lot of therapeutic possibilities, a lot of fashion opportunities as well, whether you go into the water or not. This white, whole piece designed by Vincentian designer Shernicia Mayers; modeled by Rianna BanfieldForde.

There is something very empowering about camouflage. of course that maybe because of it is the key wear for the military.

Though it is banned in Barbados it can be worn in pretty much every other Caribbean island.

Designed by Shernicia Mayers; modeled by Juneilia James.

Page 09

Enchanted with Chanta

CURVY MAG Feature

Whenever Chanta Cole steps in front of a camera or on a runway she brings her ‘A’ game.

Fierce and fabulous this 26-year old started her modelling career five years ago.

“I’ve always wanted to be a model,” she said. “It takes me to a place where I feel like I’m on top of the world and I love fashion. It makes me happy. I’m naturally quiet and I like to be in the background but as soon as the camera lights or the runway lights come on, I become my alter ego Chanzii Pooh.”

Her first photo shoot was in the early 2000s with the Nation newspaper’s Saturday Sun’s weekly feature Girl Next Door, shot and written by noted, local photographer Riseé Chadderton-Charles. “It was like a fire was lit under me. That’s when I finally realized modelling is what I wanted to do. All the feedback that was given to me by friends and family made me feel really good about myself,” she remembered.

When Chanta joined the Curvy Revolution Model Management in 2013 it was the only agency in Barbados which was accepting plus size models at the time. She noted: “I was just learning to accept who I am and I didn’t have a lot of self-confidence. The agency has helped me grow and develop.”

She added that the Curvy agency is like a family and they dedicate time to their roster of models. “I also love the fact that we get to go outside of Barbados and do shows in other countries such as my hometown Trinidad and St. Lucia.”

One of her first gigs was Barbados Fashion week. “I was extremely nervous. I was among some amazing Bajan models who were international models. When it was my time to go on the runway and I heard the crowd cheering my nerves were gone. Once again I felt that rush of energy and excitement because I was doing what I love.”

Page 11

In a gown designed by Shirrine Gillon of Antigua on the runway at Bridal Couture.

Image by Urban Bajan

In lingerie designed by Vincentian Shernicia Mayers on the runway at Bridal Couture 2019.

Image by Urban Bajan

From her portfolio.

Image by Charles Phillips from Imagin.

Chanta describes herself as fashion catalogue, runway, print and a promotion model. “I’ve worked with various clothing stores in Barbados. I’m always on someone’s runway displaying their fabulous clothing. I’ve done various magazines and I’m known as a promotion model.

These days as you will see me at many events representing the event or a product."

The purple-loving, Fanta-drinking (because it rhymes with Chanta) Gemini says tea time biscuits are life. Not one to follow diets she needs no reason to sip on a strawberry margarita ever so often. While proud of her curves, she said she put on a few pounds during the Christmas holidays and will be changing her diet and starting an exercise programme soon.

...tea time biscuits are life."

Trinidad born and Bajan raised (she was brought here when she was seven) she stressed that she loves her body, particularly how each part works together, “even though my size tends to fluctuate a lot my hour glass figure stays on point,” she mused. “I wouldn’t want to change anything about my body. I have come to a place in my life where I’m comfortable with me.”

And that includes what she described as her “crazy, whacky, funny” personality. “I consider myself to be both an extrovert and an introvert but my personality regardless of either would always be fun loving. I am like that with everyone I meet. I wouldn’t change that about myself.”

What Chanta would like see changed however, is how curvy models are still being perceived.

“Some curvy models like myself still find it a bit frustrating because we are neither petite nor full plus size we’re simply in a category called curvy. The outfits or either too small or too big but when we do find that garment that was made for us we slay the hell out of it.”

For now, she will continue living her passion for modelling while working on another one of her dreams - owning a spa. “I love massage therapy. I’ve done the course and I still try to get in some practice from time to time, to keep me sharp. One day I intend to have my own mobile spa.”

From her portfolio.

Image by Charles Phillips of Imagin.

She is not giving up her day job either as a waitress at a small bar & restaurant in Bridgetown.

“I make the best of my life and everything I do. Whatever I do I want to leave my mark on this world,” she concluded.

Page 13

Regional seamstresses under heavy threat from online shopping A preference for online shopping is threatening to make the Caribbean seamstress extinct.

That concern from St. Lucia’s 2018 Seamstress of the Year, Lisa Barton - Volney.

Speaking ahead of Bridal Couture, the Caribbean Expo of fashion designers held in Barbados in January, Ms. Volney said regional shoppers are opting for clothing which is cheaper both in quality and cost.

According to the annual Business 2 Customer or B2C e-commerce volume in the Caribbean from 2005 – 2011, the annual, overall e-commerce sales in the Caribbean in 2011 amounted to 2.75 billion U.S. dollars, up from 1.9 billion U.S. dollars in 2010.

Those figures are estimated to be higher eight years on.

The owner of the De Kloze Line and De Zip Code said it is extremely difficult for designers and seamstresses to compete. “They don’t want to pay for the work we are doing. They say it is too expensive and they can get it online for less money.

They don’t mind that they can only wear the item a few times,” she said.

Mrs. Barton-Volney who received the award from the St. Lucia Industrial and Small Business Association noted, “It is the only industry that you cannot leave home without but there is no respect for garments produced in the Caribbean.”

She warned that seamstresses no longer have the luxury of catering to a niche market. “You have to diverse, you have to cater to everyone,” she explained.

St. Lucia's Seamstress of the Year 2018, Lisa Barton-Volney

...we have to share knowledge and support each other.

To reduce production costs, she suggested the region should look towards creating its own fabrics and utilise materials readily available from agricultural produce.

“I heard once that someone was experimenting with making fabric out of banana straw. I am sure there are other things in agriculture we can use.

We have to educate the public about the possibilities and help them realise them.”

With regards to moving the entire fashion industry forward she called for ‘objective’ people to get involved. “Creative people are passionate, sometimes they do not hear. We need objective people who will keep us focused and who will drive home the point. We have to work together to a common goal. We have to share knowledge and support each other,” she said.

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