Explore the exchange story of designer Iridescent Fashion from St Kitts and Nevis and artisan Neisha La Touche from Grenada and find out how they created their look for The Commonwealth Fashion Exchange, 2018.
The Exchange: St. Kitts and Nevis x Grenada
For The Commonwealth Fashion Exchange 2018, designer Iridescent Fashion exchanged with artisan Neisha La Touche to create a look that was inspired by Caribbean culture. The look was unveiled at Buckingham Palace on February 19, 2018, and later moved to the Australian High Commission, London, where it was open to the public in the run up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit, April 2018.
St. Kitts and Nevis: Designer Iridescent Fashion
“It’s time for the world to know that the Caribbean can produce the next Alexander McQueen.” So say Keeanna Ible and Shavaniece Lake, a pair of young female designers behind Iridescent, a fashion brand based in St Kitts. Keeanna and Shavaniece had a very good year in 2017, when they were asked to create an Oscar gown for Nevis native Petula Skeete, the award-winning hair stylist.
Grenada: Artisan Neisha La Touche
Neisha La Touche is a Grenadian born designer, stylist and artist, renowned for her effortless designs in fashion and carnival costume design. Neisha inspired and advised on the design of this “Sugar & Spice” look, representing the carnival culture of both islands through the flamboyantly embellished bodice.
The story behind the look
'Sugar and Spice': This Fashion Exchange gown was a meeting of minds and cultures.
Iridescent Fashion's sketch by Keeanna Ible and Shavaniece LakeCommonwealth Fashion Council
Illustration of the dress
Iridescent Fashion's look at Buckingham Palace (2018)Commonwealth Fashion Council
Keeanna, Shavaniece and Neisha explored their overlapping cultures to create “Sugar and Spice”.
Iridescent Fashion's look at Buckingham PalaceCommonwealth Fashion Council
Caribbean traditions
The theme relates to a two day carnival in each country that showcases the large troupe costumes for the festivals of Sugar Mas and Spice Mas.
Iridescent Fashion's look at Buckingham PalaceCommonwealth Fashion Council
The gown is an explosion of colour – pink, red, orange and yellow, with gold highlights.
Iridescent Fashion's bodice embellished with Swarovski upcycled crystals by Keeanna Ible and Shavaniece LakeCommonwealth Fashion Council
Swarovski upcycled crystal embellishments
These bursts of bold colours are represented with Swarovski upcycled crystals which feature across the bodice.
Iridescent Fashion's look at Buckingham PalaceCommonwealth Fashion Council
The look was complete with a plume of feathers.
Iridescent Fashion's look at Buckingham PalaceCommonwealth Fashion Council
Iridescent Fashion's look at Buckingham PalaceCommonwealth Fashion Council
Final look on display at Buckingham Palace, 19 February 2018
Iridescent Fashion's look at Australian High Commission, London by Keeanna Ible and Shavaniece LakeCommonwealth Fashion Council
Final look on display at the Australian High Commission, London, 22 February 2018
Behind the Scenes of The Commonwealth Fashion Exchange 2018Commonwealth Fashion Council
This content has been specifically curated for the Google Arts & Culture platform on behalf of the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange exhibition that launched on the 19th of February at Buckingham Palace in partnership with Swarovski, The Woolmark Company and MATCHESFASHION.COM.
The project, created and managed by Eco-Age, with the support of The Commonwealth Fashion Council and The British Fashion Council.
More information about the images is available by clicking on them.
Read more about the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange at http://eco-age.com/commonwealth-fashion-exchange/
