On her quest to make Guyana proud, Sonia Neol recently had the opportunity to showcased some of designes at the Prestigious Ivy League University

Source: Walter Greene of Carib News, NY

Brown University, the prestigious Ivy League University where the Kennedy family attended in Rhode Island was abuzz with activities surrounding Caribbean Heritage Month. The Students of Caribbean Ancestry (SOCA) hosted the events that was highlighted by an oral presentation and fashion show by the premier Guyanese fashion designer MS SONIA NOEL, who is also the founder and CEO of Guyana Fashion Weekend.

This was the first time a Caribbean fashion designer was invited as the featured guest at this yearly event and Sonia took the opportunity to address students on the development of the Caribbean fashion brand and the promotion of Caribbean talent in general, be it fashion, performing arts and culture. Sonia spoke about the ethnic mix of the Guyana’s population and how each of their individual cultural background has blended into a Guyanese signature aesthetic. Using the backdrop of Guyana’s famous flora and fauna, mixed with the complexities of the six races that make up the Guyanese population, Sonia emphasized the uniqueness of the nation.

It was great to see so many students from Caribbean parents who were very proud to have Caribbean ancesters.one student came up and introduce herself as being Guyanese and ask where in Guyana she was from and she said her mother is Guyanese but she regard herself as one

At the close of her speech, the talented young designer presented excerpts from her current collection that was inspired by the Low Carbon Development Plan to preserve Guyana’s rain forest. This initiative is a main focus of the country’s President Hon. Bharrat Jagdeo. Sonia was able to fuse that idea with a sizzling resort collection that also celebrated the undergrowth of the rain forest. "I used shades of greens and browns to signify the earth and leaves of the rain forest. It was called the `Hybrid Collection’ and all the fabrics were natural fibers in linens and cottons, including the treasured Sea Island Cotton," said Sonia a few days after the presentation.

Yanely Espinal, president of the Students of Caribbean Ancestry (SOCA) and a third year student, Brown University noted: "I found out about Sonia Noel while researching for Caribbean fashions on line. I looked at some of her work and loved it. I contacted her and she was very polite and responsive. She was excited to work with University students to educate the greater college community about Caribbean issues. The show had a great impact at this University and everyone is still excited about the events. Working with Sonia was an amazing experience and I know that she will continue to succeed in the future because she has a great personality, she’s dedicated and extremely talented."



Sonia used all members of the students body to model her collection which was a big hit with students. Amanda Kautz, a second year student who was one of the models in the showcase said: "Sonia was not judgmental or critical of people’s bodies. She had designs for all different body types. That was very cool. People were really happy with what they were wearing. She was very flexible, and it was much appreciated and made us really like her." Fedna Jacquet, a second year student at Brown also praised Sonia for her work that was displayed: "I thought her collection was extremely diverse. It ranged from fun to sexy and sophisticated."

Sonia has a very hectic year ahead of her commencing with the Guyana Models Search Designers portfolio on the 20th&21 of march at the Tower Hotel.This year female models will be eligible from size 2 to 14.

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