This week’s “Blank Canvas” takes a look at fashion in The Bahamas, with studio guests including cultural producer Owen Bethel (left) and Bahamian designer Renaldo Geumm (right). Both are in the studio to talk about the upcoming event, “Islands of the World Fashion Showcase,” (ITWS) which is now in its seventh edition and will take place in the lush tropical outdoor setting of Graycliff’s Humidor Piazza on Saturday, 20th May 2017.
Bethel describes the birth and aim of the ITWS, which is open to designers from any small island state and provides a platform for creatives to reach a larger, global market. Over the course of its history, ITWS has represented 72 designers, from 17 island nations, several of whom have been successful in having their products purchased by boutique stores in the United States and mega-stores such as Top Shop in the United Kingdom.
Mr. Geumm (aka Renaldo Geumm Dexter Johnson), a budding local designer, describes his path into fashion and discusses the ups and downs of committing to a fashion career in The Bahamas. He was chosen this year to launch the premiere of the “Haute Arte Couture” collection, which fuses fashion and art, challenging the designer to interpret a piece of visual art and translate that into a unique fashion garment. Mr. Johnson selected art pieces by Bahamian artist John Edward Cox and Cuban artist Alberto Lago.
The “Blank Canvas” is hosted by Amanda Coulson, Director of the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, and airs every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. on Guardian Talk Radio 96.9 FM
