The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Reporter

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

Fash|Art, one of the biggest fashion and art events on the local entertainment calendar, is just one week away. Organisers promise, the year’s event will be bigger and better.

Fash|Art is a platform which aims to uncover Bahamian talents, and present them with the opportunity to launch their careers. The event is slated for November 1- 2  at Jacaranda House.

The two-nights at Jacaranda House will feature an art exhibit with work from emerging artists and popup fashion boutiques, with a silent auction benefiting the AIDS Foundation. Open bars will be presented by Absolut Vodka.

The second night of the event will feature a fashion installation by Harl Taylor BAG and “Mission Catwalk” runner-up designer David Rolle, a runway show over the pool top featuring emerging designers, live entertainment from The Illest, deejays and all-night after parties on property.

“As it has been with each year, we have changed the venue. We are particularly excited about Jacaranda House because it is not too frequented but it is an amazingly infamous home locally. Additionally, we have added multiple emerging musical talents throughout the event, providing equal opportunity of exposure as we have sought to do with our visual artists and fashion designers,” said Kedar Clarke, event creator/co-producer.

This year’s participants were selected from Abaco, Grand Bahama and New Providence.

Fashion designers vying for the Harl Taylor Emerging Fashion Designer Award include Kristen Cartwright, Rebecca Johnson, Dandria Bethel, Richie Shepherd, Alisa Watson and Olivia Russell.

The participants vying for the Jackson Burnside Emerging Visual Artist Award include Eulys Smith, Shawn Hanna, Lauren Glinton, Zyandric Jones, Katherine Rolle, Dominique Delancey and John Damas.

Prior to the grand finale participants are required to attend a month-long seminar series, sponsored by Scotia Bank Bahamas and the NAGB, with a focus on branding, marketing, business, merchandising and mentorship.

Fash|Art has been credited with launching and propelling to success many emerging artists. Since its inception, Mr Clarke said Fash|Art has had a great impact on the artistic community. He said many “new faces take a leap and showcase talents they may have kept as a quiet hobby for years”.

“Locally we are not provided much opportunity for exposure on a grand scale beyond small settings. Our intent was to do just that to take it beyond the artist community and show the Bahamas at large that the talent we respect globally, can truly be found locally.

“I love the fact that each year we get new and diverse talent. There is always something new to look forward to and that is why I would encourage more people to attend. It is rare that we are able to attend events of this calibre and it is open to the public,” he said.

The Fash|Art team includes Kedar Clarke, Nik Barnes and Scharad Lightbourne of Stylezine Magazine.