The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

AFTER the massive success of its initial Independence-inspired launch in July, the Bahari Bahamas label is back with a new fall collection.

“Since July, we’ve been designing and manufacturing this fall collection”, said Bahari creative director Morgan Fernander, who views the brand as “style enculturation” and an amalgamation of life in the Bahamas.

“The stakes were much higher this time, so we really wanted to make sure that it was perfect. We went through multiple sample approvals and revisions to ensure that this collection lived up to consumer expectations.”

Within just weeks of launching the Independence collection in July of this year, the words “Sold Out” appeared all over the company’s Facebook page and website, as Bahamians wasted no time in supporting the home-grown designer label and purchasing Bahari’s version of Independence T-shirts.

It was an overwhelming experience, said Mr Fernander.

“We knew we had created a unique product, but we couldn’t have imagined or anticipated the amount of positive feedback and support we received. We literally sold out within two weeks. Bahamians from all over the world were ordering online. Bahamians residing in the US, London and even China were patronising the Bahari brand. It was amazing to see Bahamians support a Bahamian product in such a passionate way,” he said.

The one thing they should have done differently with their first collection, Mr Fernander said, was to make sizes available for children ages 3-10.

“That was definitely an oversight on our part based on consumer feedback. Parents wanted their kids to wear Bahari, and we’re definitely going to ensure that we accommodate that request moving forward,” he said.

With this new fall collection, Mr Fernander said they were very conscious of the fact that they had to meet the standard customers now expect based on the Independence collection.

Of this, he said, they were very mindful throughout the design and manufacturing process. He also said they were very adamant about creating apparel that would not only exceed expectations, but create a new standard for the industry as a whole.

“With this we wanted to create an exclusive line, with very limited quantities, that captured Bahamian symbols, icons and culture, all the while maintaining a luxurious aesthetic with international appeal,” he said.

“We went for a regal look for our fall collection; an array of unique, detailed, focused designs that evoke the innate regality in us all.”

The Bahari experience has been a dream come true for Mr Fernander. He said it is exciting, nerve-wrecking at times, and there a lot of late nights, but he enjoys every single moment of it.

“I’m a workaholic dreamer, so to be able to work on my dream and have it come to fruition is complete bliss for me. We’re planning an amazing series of events for our spring release, but we can’t disclose any details right now. We can only say that it’s going to be epic,” said Mr Fernander.

The collection will be available for purchase online as of 6pm today at www.shopbahari.com and as of Saturday at retail locations YNG on Rosetta Street and Bahari Bahamas in the Circle Mall, Freeport.