Nyzinga Onifa, Simon Foster, and Derek and Anna Went
Generations of visitors have enjoyed Barbados’s sun and sea, but the island’s designers are not so well known-yet. Barbadian designers use a range of techniques-hand-painting, dying and applique, layering, batik and beadwork-to produce highly distinctive fabrics and garments.
Featured here are four leading creators of formal and casual wear. Nyzinga Onifa favours an Afro-Caribbean look, while Simon Foster creates a striking “ragged” effect. Carol Cadogan‘s garments are almost architectural, murallike; while the Wents (Derek paints the fabric yards at a time, Anna designs the clothes) use unique stitch treatments and beadwork to create seductive Caribbean fashions.
These exclusive creations were specially photographed for BWee CARIBBEAN BEAT at the Ocean View Hotel on the south coast, Barbados’s oldest operating hotel.
Photography by Steven Cohn