The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

THE GLAM Squad came out in full force as students from the Yodephy Dance and Modelling Academy took part in a recent Fierce, Fearless and Fabulous Christmas production.   

The models of Yodephy previewed the fashion trends and styles for the upcoming year.

Under the direction of Deborah Geear-Bethell and Phyllis Albury-Garraway of Yodephy, the fashion show was creative, artistic, bold, colourful, sophisticated and carefree.  

Ms Garraway told Tribune Woman the crowd filled the Rainforest Theatre to capacity.

“The fashion show was fearless and it was fabulous. We had models from the age of three to adults and they all did fantastic. They gave you fashion like you’ve never seen it before. They gave you from vintage to modern and traditions of yesterday to today; they gave it all. They carried you back to the 1920s and they gave you style because a fashionista is all about creating her own style, knowing what suits your body and knowing what to wear and when to wear it and how to wear it well,” said Ms Garraway.

Judges for the evening gown competition segment were well-known Bahamian Icons who have a keen interest in the advancement of the Bahamian fashion: Erica Meus-Saunders of Nu Woman Magazine, Brynda Knowles of the Fashion Group and Carol Brown of Cole’s of Nassau.

Ms Garraway said the fashion show was also dedicated to the late, great designer Percy Garfield Wallace of Garfi Designs with part proceeds going to the Ranfurly Home for Children

“The audience sat in awe, amazement and wonder at what they saw: fashionistas in all shapes and sizes. It was fashion with an attitude without being over the top. This scene was all about their personal way of dressing and how they wanted to express and present themselves to society. From bedtime to evening wear,” said Ms Garraway.

At Yodephy, Ms Garraway said they always instruct students to make a “dollar dress look like a million dollars, not a million dollar dress look like a dollar.” She said they have to walk the walk and make that dress talk the talk.

“We also had another scene that related to business attire for the younger generation, for the ones who want to work over the Summer and Christmas. We showed full figures and we showed that anybody can (be stylish),” she said.

Speaking about styles for full figured models, Ms Garraway said: “They can’t let the world or the saleswoman in the shop speak for them, because they want to make a commission. They have to know what suits their body, because the fuller woman needs to wear the jacket over the hip and not on top of the waistline that the slimmer models do.”

She said in the fashion segment of the show, the models chose their own designs. There was a session with Coles of Nassau, which presented a showcase of their fashion and designs.

“You had all shapes, sizes and colours in fashion that evening, because fashion is what you make it. The designer of the clothing can only create the fashion, but you have to create the look. One of us may have on the same dress, but we have to know how to accessorise it,” said Ms Garraway.

The first and second place winners of the evening gown segment included: Adranique Davis and Valrica Richardson in the age 5-8 category, Brazil Rodgers and Alliyah Wilkinson in the teens category, and Rockelle Joseph and Nicole Gate in the pre-teens category.