Bahamas Hosts its First Fashion Week

We were on the scene for the grand opening of Bahamas Fashion Week (BFW) in Nassau, Bahamas at the Melia Hotel and Resort. With so much culture and fashion in that part of the Caribbean, we don’t know why it hasn’t happened sooner but we definitely know it will be around for years to come.

The inaugural BFW was co-produced by Cardell McClam and Joe Stubbs. BFW wasn’t just a weekend full of fashion shows. It also included empowering panel discussions about men and women and the progression of the creative arts in the Bahamas.

The first night of the BFW consisted of designs from Emerging Bahamian Designers. The designers were Chic Bahamas 242 (Cassandra Johnson, Eleuthera, Tonique Farrington) and Julie Bernart (Yuliya Bulychouva).

Day two of BFW included educational and cultural workshops and designer showcases. The designers who presented were Reve Swimwear (Racquel Barr), Vernique Shaunasse (Vernique Chandler), Estreja Designs (Keisha Pratt, Kenney Moxey), Hardour Collection (Anthea Bullard), and Raphelta (David Rolle).

Men’s Style Panel

Day three of BFW included the Men’s Style Panel and Women’s Style Panel. The Men’s Panel discussion featured a medley of fashionable and highly recognizable young black men (Mickey Freeman, Stevie Boi, Joey Gaskins, K. Darron Turnquest and more), with different backgrounds and professions but one common factor – they all love fashion and believe that men should be fashionable.

Women’s Style Panel

The “Women In Style” panel discussion that followed delivered just the same. The conversation featured powerful, fashionable black women (Claire Sulmers, Wendi Lewis, Loretta Butler-Turner, Mary-Ann KaiKai and more).

The following designers closed the show; Pisces (Jamall Ferguson, Jaressa), FreeMen By Mickey (Mickey Freeman), Madam Woke (Maryann Kalkai, Sierra Leone Africa), Cardellicious (Cardell McClam, Christopher John), and Stevie Boi (Steven Strawder).

Here are some photos from FreemenByMickey’s collection.

Check out my interview with Cardell McClam and Joe Stubbs after the show.

During the shows, there was also live performances by Rashad Leamont.

All in all, Bahamas Fashion Week was a huge success! We look forward to next year’s BFW!

#BahamasFashionWeek #Fashion