Janay Reymond, a young Anguillian, with a passion for fashion and designing, and well-known for her swimsuit designs, will present a fashion show on Sunday, July 1.
The CEO of her own company, Feelo’je – The Experience, MsReymond wrote in her brochure: “This will be the first year our event will be on an international level with designers from all around the world, places such asNew York,Mexico,Guyana,Barbadosand other islands in the region. This will in effect give much-needed attention to our island, always keeping a keen eye to good taste and refined style.”
By profession, Ms Reymond is a Cosmetologist, but her passion is designing. Asked about her interest in design, she replied: “My grandmother owned a store, Millie’s Boutigue, as everyone knows, and we grew up at the store as she was our main caretaker when my mom was working. She always had a love for clothing and was also a seamstress.”
The local designer began her designing work at the age of 12, when her cousin entered the Miss Anguilla Pageant and she (Ms Reymond) designed her dress. “I have done over 20 fashion shows throughout theCaribbeanregion and almost every local fashion show from 2007. I have dressed numerous pageant entrants such as Miss Venus and Miss Anguilla,” Ms. Reymond stated.
She is excited about her upcoming fashion show inAnguilla, at the beginning of July, and explained her company’s reason for selecting the name Feelo’je. “In travelling to the various islands to representAnguilla, our island is usually looked upon as one that isn’t really involved in the fashion industry and I want to somehow change that outlook,” she told The Anguilllian.
“As I travelled I met different designers and I wanted to bring that aspect here because there are a lot of talented people on our island, but we do not get the recognition that we deserve. First, and foremost, it will be a fashion show for all local designers and we are incorporating other designers from around the region so that we can get some spotlight, so to speak, onAnguillain the fashion industry.
“We are also incorporating young talent such as Deanna Mussington, and Shereena Richardson, who sing with different dance academies on the island. I want it to be representative of as much Anguillian talent as possible so that we can show exactly what we are capable of here inAnguilla. There are so many out there who doubt us because we are small.They see us as an island that is just beautiful and nothing else, so I want to change that.”
The local designs will feature various types of clothing including church wear, elegant and casual outfits and, in her own words, “basically anything that someone would like to wear – we will have it to showcase.” She added: “This is the first year that we will be incorporating men’s wear in our fashion show and it is very exciting.”
