Afefe collection unveils at PoS Fashion Week

TOBAGO'S House of Abeje is among 24 fashion designers who will showcase new collections at the upcoming Port of Spain Fashion Week (PoSFW) next month.

The Scarborough fashion company founded by designer Dayle Angus will showcase its 2020 collection, Afẹfẹ –the Yoruba word for air– to the virtual runway in the Resort Showcase titled Cadence of Caribbeanness on November 7.

Explaining the concept behind the collection Angus said in a media release, "(Afẹfẹ) came out of serendipity. The dye-extracted fabrics I used for this collection really came from me learning something new and wanting to incorporate it.”

Learning from her dye work mentor in Tobago, Angus found an outlet for her new-found passion and poured it into Afẹfẹ, combining it with her signature, breezy style. Seizing the opportunity of a virtual runway at PoSFW, Angus chose the Bamboo Cathedral in Chaguaramas as her setting. She had been envisioning a photoshoot of this kind since 2016.

“Everything in its due time,” she noted. “The setting in the Bamboo Cathedral, seeing the trees with the fungus on them and how those shapes tied back into the dyed clothing was really coming together for me. The locations that we get to shoot in, we would never get to do a runway in. So, people have a chance to see it and feel like a part of the experience."

Known for her fresh and youthful fashion brand Linkage, Angus heeded the call to position Afẹfẹ with a more mature fashion shopper in mind. This realisation came when, despite her intent to market to younger fashionistas, more mature customers seemed continuously drawn to her work. Angus aims to pivot toward making something special just for this market, the release said.

"I think Tobagonians are a little bit more earthy and we have a lot to offer with clothing," she said. "I think my inspiration is 'the natural'. Most of my stuff is very earthy. Normally everybody knows me for my brand Linkage, but we wanted this new collection for the launch of the House of Abeje brand; to do something for a more mature, easy-to-wear crowd.

"In Tobago, we have a different body type as well. For me, I like to make clothing that is very comfortable and roomy so it can fit different people; it doesn't matter what size you are, you feel very sexy in it."

In anticipation of its fifth anniversary in 2021, House of Abeje has welcomed the PoSFW experience as an important lead up to the company's celebrations next year. While she may not interact with the city of Port of Spain often, Angus had some advice to share for city dwellers, not just in PoS, but anywhere in the Caribbean.

"I'd like to see people wearing more breathable clothing when going to work. I hate to see people very hot and uncomfortable. Either the clothes are too tight, or it doesn't fit well. We live in the Caribbean, why don't we dress for our climate?"

"While this is resort wear, the different lengths of the garments can be adjusted for a business outfit. I also love to see clothes go from day to night. If you are living in a city and are on the (Ariapita) Avenue in Port of Spain after work, you want to be able to wear something that can be used for multiple occasions – that you can dress up, or dress down."

Angus has also invested in upgrading to a digital business model which will include a brand-new website and facilitation of international orders.

"Currently we operate exclusively out of Tobago, but we do (delivery via) TTPost and are shipping internationally as well. Once the collection is ready, everything will be up and ready to run, so everybody can order online."

With this digital trajectory for her brand, participating in the PoSFW 2020 was a natural fit for House of Abeje.

"I'm very grateful that (PoSFW) decided to actually go forward and do something virtually instead of just not having anything. I think it gives all the designers an opportunity to be even more creative with their offerings and portrayals, and we get to market the island as well.

"It's not the best situation but I feel like we can create better out of it, and it helps us push the envelope on our creativity. I think it's something that's going to be positive for the industry."

PoSFW 2020 is the world's next virtual portal into Caribbean fashion and is supported by Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre, Advance Dynamics, DHL, WiPay, FashionTT, Carefree Breathe, Schick, Lee Designs and Black Collar Creative Ltd.

To see Afẹfẹ, the collection by House of Abeje, all designers showcasing at PoSFW, and for more info: posfashionweek.com, @posfw on Instagram.com and @posfashionweek on Facebook.com, or contact info@posfashionweek.com.