The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Reporter

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

AFTER years of hiding, Dandreia Bethel stepped out in confidence and launched for the first time publicly her Stripe My Shoe collection.

The young Bahamian designer was a participant during Fash|Art held over the weekend, an event aimed to uncover Bahamian talent and present individuals with the opportunity to launch their careers.

Dandreia was among several fashion designers vying for the Harl Taylor Emerging Fashion Designer Award during the event.

The Stripe My Shoe Collection was birthed several years ago after Dandreia saw clearly in a dream designs for the collection. Since then Stripe My Shoe has taken on a life of its own.

The collection affords fashionistas an easy transition from day time to evening; they can be paired with a pants suit for office attire or with a body contouring knee length dress for an elegant night out in the town.

“Stripe My Shoe collection was inspired by a pencil pin stripe skirt that I was supposed to wear to an event. Sometime in that week I was trying to find the perfect pair of shoes to go with the skirt and I could not. I went to sleep and dreamed about some shoes to match the skirt. [Then] I came up with a load of other designs,” she told Tribune Arts. Dandreia presented eight of those designs during Fash|Art.

After graduating from the College of the Bahamas in 2006, as an art major, Dandreia searched for a niche in the industry. She found work for a brief period, but subsequently changed paths.  

“I started to work on a job and it became really irritating so I said I have to find something that I love to do. I always loved shoes and always loved art so combing the two only made sense to me,” Dandreia said.

As Fash|Art also combines art and fashion, it was the perfect platform for her shoe collection to be launched Dandreia said. Although she was not the recipient of the Harl Taylor Emerging Fashion Designer Award she treasures the experience.

“I entered Fash|Art because I was tired of hiding. I have been hiding for a long time. My first set of samples were produced in 2008, but I really got tired of keeping this passion bottled up inside of me and I thought Fash|Art was an awesome opportunity to put myself out there for people and let them know that Dandreia is here and shoes by a Bahamian designer are here. It took me out of my comfort zone and it took me out of not wanting people to see my designs. So it was the perfect opportunity for me given that the event is all about fashion and all about art. And that is what I am about,” she said.

Dandreia believed the training she got while studying in Milan is what fully equipped her for the new undertaking.

“At first it was a bit nerve wrecking because I am like ‘oh my gosh’, I am one of the only Bahamian shoe designers and there is no one who would have led the way for me. But after taking steps like going to Milan and being equipped by fashion designers, and being around friends who are also fashion designers and manufactures, my confidence was built so coming back home was easier,” said Dandreia.

“The experience was exciting and invigorating. I was a little bit nervous because I did not know how people would respond to them, but I just bit the bullet and did it. I said, ok Danny you have to put yourself out there. You love you and everyone else will love you too,” she said.