The curtain has come down on yet another successful Cayman InStyle Fashion Week after a packed schedule of events saw designers, models, influencers and fashion students show off their creative skills to audiences from around the island and on social media.
This year’s extravaganza was launched at a welcome party and swimsuit and resort wear show at the Holiday Inn Resort on Thursday, 10 April. Hosted by America’s Next Top Model alum Victoria Henley, the audience was treated to a beach-side catwalk show under the stars featuring models wearing fashion by four different designers, including Megan Marie and Melody Trice.
The celebrations continued with the Red Carpet Gala and Trailblazer Awards at the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort on Friday, 11 April, which honoured fashion excellence and recognised the achievements of local talent.
Awards were handed out to creatives across the Cayman Islands, who were being recognised for their contributions in various categories, including fashion, beauty, modelling, media, photography and involvement in the community.
However, part of the event didn’t go as planned. Model and actor Jeremy Meeks, who was scheduled to attend the annual show as co-host alongside Yendi Phillips, former Miss Jamaica 2007, was denied entry to the Cayman Islands on Thursday due to his criminal record.
This year, the event also featured a special display of art pieces created by students from various local schools and the Sunrise Adult Training Centre, showcasing the creativity and talent from across Cayman.
Among the award winners of the evening was Shiiannte Sterling, 17, who was awarded Youth Model of the Year and was first runner-up in the Youth Trailblazer award.
“Winning this award pushes me to keep going and keep inspiring people,” Sterling told Compass TV. “I love to inspire young people to use their voice, to speak up and follow their passion. I’ve served over 400 hours in the community since 2023, we live on a small island, and we should take good care of it.”
Melisha McField is the director of Dreamchasers Cayman dance company and was awarded for excellence in the performing arts.
“It feels great to be nominated and recognised and I was humbled by it,” McField told Compass TV. “There are a lot of artists who put their blood, sweat and tears into their work. In the future, the world is going to need a lot of creatives, a lot of artists and it really makes a difference in the world.”
Runway shows
The centrepiece of Cayman InStyle Fashion Week was the runway show on Saturday, 12 April at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, with kids and teens up first, followed by the adult models.
More than 20 kid and teen models donned the latest styles and casual wear from several designers, including Who’s Styling Who by Khaliah Clark, Bella Dream Dolls, Tiara Donyale, Kaylee Doctor and Savvi Kids, and representation from John Gray High School and Cayman Prep and High School.
Kaylee, 12, was among the emerging designers returning to CIFWK for the third time at the Kids/Teens Runway Show. Kaylee presented seven pieces of her collection.
She told the Compass she fell in love with designing at the after-school fashion summer camp.
“I just got interested in it. I always like trying new things. I do many other [things] and fashion is one of my favourite things to do,” she said.
Kaylee, who has been designing for three years now, hopes to make her own brand in the future.
During the evening runway show, strutting down the stage, adult models donned fashion ranging from streetwear, demure gowns, elegant suits, sporting wear, wedding dresses, swimwear and resort wear, showcasing the creativity of local, regional and international designers.
As customary, the fashion show celebrated various forms of beauty from different ages, ethnicities, body types and abilities.
Many designers were involved, including Tizrah by Athaliah Samuel, Stefan Justin Sealy of the Sealy Brand, Tiara Donyale, Al Ebanks, Prince Prajjé Oscar Jean-Baptiste, Brillianaire, Shameless Opinion, Oh La La, Karen Connolly, and the show’s CEO and founder, Norma Ebanks.
Models from Sunrise Adult Training Centre were perhaps the highlight of the evening, gracing the catwalk with confidence, as they showcased the art pieces from various local schools, focused on creativity and sustainability.
Attendees gave their loudest cheers and applause as each came to the end of the runway, striking their unique pose for the flashing cameras.
Fashion in motion
Fashion lovers were offered a glimpse into the unique designs of local photographer, artist and designer Al Ebanks.
Ebanks prepared some 40 pieces of his collection, making his presentation more than just fashion, but a walking art exhibit.
Ebanks told the Compass, “It was my intention to have an amazing collection, so I took my time for the past two years to do this. I wasn’t ready but we decided to do it this year, and [Norma Ebanks] spent a lot of time sewing the pieces for me.”
Ebanks, who has been creating since a young age, said being a part of the show and this moment is like coming full circle for him.
“I [always] wanted to be a full-time artist. It takes me back with growing up with my mama, every day cutting fabric. She made all of our clothes, so I remember doing that and was inspired by her. She was my hero. She told me whatever I desire to do, go for it.”
“Most people would tell me to go overseas, but I’m from Cayman and I want to conquer Cayman. I don’t want to go to some other place; I want to make a stamp here, so that is my intention to stay local and contribute. It’s a passion for me,” Ebanks added.
Caribbean representation
Among the international designers to grace CIFW this year was Athaliah Samuel from Tizrah, out of Trinidad and Tobago. Samuel is a designer, model, and former Miss World Trinidad and Tobago.
She designed about 20 pieces, including afro-centric designs to represent her mother, as well as designs representing body positivity and celebration of womanhood.
Samuel told the Compass, “It’s always a good vibe being here in the Cayman Islands, being that it’s my fourth or fifth time coming here now.”
Designing since she was 9 years old, Samuel said she’s always conscious of redefining what it means to lead with style, purpose and passion.
“Most of my clients are full-grown ladies or ‘thickums’. My curvaceous know how they want to feel. For me, when they say they finally fit into something, when I see them feeling sexy, confident, and she walks out of a place feeling good … I’m good and that makes a difference, and it defines my purpose. That’s why my slogan is simple, sexy styles.”
Compared to the other shows she’s attended in the past, Samuel said CIFW “needs a lot of work”.
“In the sense of communication, organising and putting things together. It’s kinda heartbreaking not knowing that the international designers aren’t even getting recognised for being here and knowing the amount of money we spent on our own to get here, and the will power to still go through with the show regardless of the treatment and everything else behind it … you know, God is good.”
She added, “With or without everyone’s validation, we showed out and showed off what we are made of, especially when it comes to our vibe, our design. We brought our energy, our country representation. I know we made a good stamp when it comes to the fashion show here in Cayman.”
Those in attendance were fashionistas, social media influencers, local and international media, ministry officials, and special celebrity guests, including Yendi Phillips.
Phillips, the former Miss Jamaica 2007 and Miss Jamaica Universe 2010, gave brief remarks at the show on Saturday night. She offered encouraging words to those who desire to be a part of the fashion industry.
Interwoven in the fashion extravaganza, the show included performances by local dance company Dreamchasers and international singing artists Taylor Fangman and Josephine Joy Orleans.
A private sailing experience on Sunday, 13 April concluded the three-day fashion extravaganza, offering attendees a day of relaxation and opportunities to network.
Proceeds from Cayman InStyle Fashion Week will benefit the Creative Fashion School, a non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing the Cayman Islands’ industry by providing education, workshops and training programmes for aspiring designers and models.
Additional reporting by Shanda Gallego