“This is Bartica” beckons

Nov 09, 2008 News

– designers’ Quest et al await

Reminiscent of the Bartica Trade and Tourism Expos, “This is Bartica” is an event highlighting all aspects of life in Bartica, Essequibo River, which will be hosted in the beautiful and exotic location shortly.
Regional Chairman Holbert Knights and the Bartica Regatta Committee are spearheading an ingenious tourism, entertainment and leisure programme of activities, culminating in a three-day event, slated for November 28 to November 30 at Bartica and including some of the riverain locations.
This phenomenal showcase is slated to feature a grand opening, a creative exhibition focusing on mining and tourism, a massive party with Mingles Sound Machine, a special lineup of tours to noteworthy tourism spots, a strategic information booth set up two weeks in advance, and the climax of the event, dubbed ‘Bartica’s Designers’ Quest’.

A view of a beautiful Bartica beach

Designers’ Quest is a fascinating component of “This is Bartica”.
The quest aroused unprecedented interest in design talent, and 17 aspiring young men and women, aged 16 to 25, came forward to display what might have passed before as “hidden talent”.
These individuals responded to a call to present illustrations and concepts within an overall theme that will showcase five elements of designer pieces, inclusive of beachwear, swimwear, cocktail outfits, working attire and national costume.
Having participated in workshops conducted by celebrated Bartica-born regional designer Sonia Noel and renowned Caribbean stylist and production designer Richard Young, the 17 designer debutantes, proudly asserting their talents, were confronted with a self-reflective proposition.
They were asked to ‘Immerse themselves in their personal history and come up with designs which are relevant, representative, and moreso revealing in their culture’
Noel reinforced the need for appreciating ‘self’ when she spoke of her own enterprising spirit and her belief in self as motivational factors in one’s choice of a meaningful career path.
After the interactive sessions, ten budding designers remain to present their collections at the month-end extravaganza.
The winners will be given opportunities, since the designer with the most marketable yet creative collection will be awarded a place in Guyana Fashion Weekend 2009. The designer most promising as a costumer will be awarded the opportunity to design for Region Seven’s Mashramani 2009 presentation.
Indeed, this promises to be a spectacular, innovative experience on the national calendar of events.