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Dancehall reigns supreme at FAT

Published:Sunday | May 12, 2013 | 12:00 AM
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Designer Lubica joins her models and dancers for the final walk as they all sang 'Happy Birthday' to the Jamaica-based designer
Hayley struts down the catwalk in this rhinestone-embellished bandeau top with high-waisted peplum leggings with a meshed side detail.
Christa wears a peplum tank top with a knee-length polka dot pencil skirt with stripe-sided panels.-Contributed photos
Juliana wearing a strapless, one-piece bathing suit embellished with large rhinestones.
Special guest model Terri Kaye Robinson captivated the runway in a black/pink two-piece bathing suit, which was one of the crowd favourites
Jesse stuns in this strapless romper with a mesh bolero jacket with studded/tassels shoulder detail.
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Garfene Grandison, Assistant Lifestyle Coordinator

Fashion Art Toronto (FAT) 2013 featured over 200 Canadian and international designers from April 23 to 27.

Opening the show's final night was the Slovakia-born, Jamaica-based designer Lubica Slovak, showcasing her dancehall-inspired collection. To kick off the show, Slovak treated the audience to her fashion film, Beyond, directed by Storm and Nile Saulter. Shortly after, the speakers exploded with the catchy and energetic rhythm of RDX's Jump, accompanied by a dance performance from Onika 'Neeks' Powell, internationally acclaimed dancehall choreographer, Teneisha Richards and Melonie Hamilton.

The audience went wild and were pumped and ready for the 16-piece collection modelled by Jamaica's very own Terri Kaye James, who gracefully took to the catwalk showcasing her svelte and toned physique. Also walking in the show was Myles, who was a FAT 2013 superstar.

Slovak told Outlook, "I had lots of fun designing this collection. I didn't worry about who would wear it and where, but instead, I just did it for fashion."

She continued, "I just made outfits that were fun, looked pretty and reflected the wild and creative dancehall culture utilising neon pink, orange and yellow - mixing it with blacks, whites, stripes and polka dots, [and] marrying these trends with embellishments - studs, rhinestones and fringes."

The designer took the patrons of FAT on a journey that started with Beyond, which set the mood, transporting each guest to the sunny Caribbean. The colours that were displayed in the fun collection also signalled the beginning of the summer season. As for the ode to dancehall, Canadian choreographer Neeks was elated at the leverage that was given to dancehall culture in Toronto via the runway.

grandison.garfene@gleanerjm.com