Cool Jobs: 3 Fashion Heavyweights Sparking Tobago’s Fashion Awakening

We have good news for you. You can have a cool career and make a good living. No need to choose between loving your job and paying your mortgage. The following profile, part of the BlackEnterprise.com Cool Jobs series, offers a peek into the nuts and bolts, perks and salaries behind enjoyable careers.

This Cool Jobs is a special feature on the who’s who of Tobago Fashion Weekend.

Tobago often gets overshadowed by Trinidad, its more metropolitan and diverse sister nation, well known for events frequented by millions such as Carnival. However, the Ministry of Trade and Tobago House of Assembly is working with a small group of fashion’s who’s who help put Tobago on the style map. The brainchild of these innovators is Tobago Fashion Weekend, which kicked off this past Memorial Weekend at Pigeon Point Heritage Park. The unique event allowed designers from around the U.S., Caribbean and  UK to showcase and sell their pieces to potential buyers and spectators alike. Black Enterprise was on the scene to witness what planners are projecting to become a global event within the next few years.

Take a look at three key players who are critical in TFW’s success and are Caribbean fashion stars to watch in 2012.

Ashley Christmas, TFW Producer/Director

Power: The Tobago native realized he wasn’t as passionate about his initial career in real estate as he had hoped. About six years ago, he decided to switch gears, traveling to cities including Los Angeles and New York to learn the ins and outs of the fashion business. He would eventually build experience in fashion and began working with Trinidad Fashion Week. In 2010, he was enlisted by the Ministry of Tourism to help produce Tobago Fashion Weekend, which launched in 2011.

Passion: “What’s unique about the whole entire production is that Tobagoains are going to be exposed to something that’s not the normally part of the culture, [which is] to have fashion shows on the island,” Christmas says.  “Where else in the world can you do an open-air fashion show, have people come to enjoy it right on the waterfront and at the same time experience the exposure to international media? The whole concept within itself is to bring Tobagonians on an international level so that we can interact with the rest of the world.”

Process: While working in real estate, Christmas felt the

urge to pursue his true passion: an interest in the world of fashion. “I’m self-taught,” he says. “I walked the streets of California and New York City and learned the business, met the right people and the rest is history.”

Motivation: “When you want something bad enough you can make anything happen. Our goals for next year is to have more retail opportunities for all the designers with more sponsors; to have more designers–not just local and regional, but international; to have a lot more foreign press, a lot more foreign buyers and more production, so that we can get more exposure, because we have a lot of talented people here.”

Romero Bryan, Designer

Power: The London-based designer knew he wanted to be in fashion after watching his mother work as a buyer. At age 12, Bryan began making moves to launch his apparel company, and now he’s an accomplished adult. His apparel his been worn by celebrities including Alek Wek and Kelly Rowland.

Passion: “I was always around fashion and I’d see samples coming in when my mum was working with designers, and I was always inspired by that. So, it has always been in my genes to want to do something fashion related.”

Process: “It’s been a long road. I always tell young people that they will hear so many more ‘no’s ‘than ‘yeses,’ so just take it inside your head as ‘Not yet,’ and don’t get discouraged or heartbroken,” Bryan says. “It’s been a long road, but with a lot of support from friends and family, I’m still going.”

Motivation: I like to bring fresh, funky, new and a little but of fantastic with an edge to my designs. The woman that wears Romero Bryan has to be confident, obviously because I have these daring costumes, and its not about being a size zero or size two. She has to have sexiness radiating from within, and be confident.”

Danielle James, Model, Fashion Buyer

Power: The Florida native whose parents are from Trinidad dove headfirst into fashion after college. She moved to New York after graduation and landed a shoot with Essence Magazine via an open call. While working as a plus-size model, James began to learn the business side of fashion and landed at Macy’s as a buyer. In this year’s TFW, James modeled designs by Stacy Herbert of Ink Ideas, as well as hosted informational workshops on how designers can perfect their craft and get their pieces sold in retailers.

Passion: “The Caribbean has so many creative designers and talent within the retail industry,” James says. “The industry is quickly burgeoning, and I see Trinidad & Tobago as becoming the epicenter of fashion within the Caribbean.”

Process: For modeling, people would comment how I should be a model. At the time, I didn’t even know there was a plus size model industry,” James recalls. “For buying, my company found out about me through a friend. They liked my style, my business acumen, and my ideas, so they hired me.”

Motivation: “My advice for upcoming designers is to stay true to their uniqueness and focus on the market they are trying to serve. Know the retail industry and have a strong business acumen. Realize that while fashion is fun and entertaining, it is a business so, treat it as such.”