at the media registration I was handed that bright orange, zipped case with Moroccan Oil full size samples inside, my grimace became a smile.  The sponsor for MBIFW came through for me.  I then headed back to my place of stay to prep for the event.

Evening 3/4
The hall was dimly lit, jewelry and accessory vendors on the right side with sponsor lounges on the left decorated in white lounge chairs, ottomans, serving free organic drinks, wines and even Puerto Rican expresso.
First show of the evening  was a Jamaica Collective: POSHE by Camesha Powello, Julan by Juliette Dyke, two finalists from Jamaica’s Mission Catwalk Designers Challenge.

After a 15 minute intermission the Men’s Showcase began with designs from:
Mauricio Alberino, of Italy giving the classic, distinguished guayabera (a light weight man’s shirt with pockets and sometimes tucks or embroidery, worn outside trousers) a spring of colors such as blue, pink, yellow on the vertical embroidery of the shirt. Then daring to make a bold statement with a bright green blazer.

Bata Spacojevic winner of the Miami Moda International Rising Star, his line cleverly titled Individual (means the same in both Spanish and English).  I would’ve called the 1st half of his segment “The Future of Rock” as he trends a leather short suit, laxed yet appropriate for such a place as Florida. Then in keeping with light weight fabrics of linen, very unrestrained shirts in grayish tones, proving he can also come up with bona fide resort, island wear nicely drafted by relaxed cargo pocket pants. Introducing us to a convoy of blazers with shorts finished in zippered pockets through out. But it wasn’t over until “Today’s Mad Max” (I tweeted this one if you were following) in his satin blended trench coat stalks the runway covering a netted shirt. Bata proves that his design skills are truly diverse, that explains his win at MBIFW.

Robert Flores of Dominican Republic designs moved in with black suits, you could hear the ooohs and ahhhs…Suits of faultless tailoring, from the fine and precipitous lines of the pants to the adapted blazer. Also using red to make a point of it. In the likeness of the 80s he shows a leather bomber and satin pleated, tapered pant notably like the Cavaricci.

In my personal opinion, Marithe and Francois Girbaud of France, existing since 1964 were my most favored of the men’s showcase. Bringing a European insouciant style.  Layered sweaters, long sleeves and cardigans escorted by the notorious low rise denim.  Fedoras are still in cosmopolitan while pink, nude, red, blues with stripes and plaid prints all counterbalanced the get-up.  It reminded me of our prominent Lucky Brand exempt from a more keen hierarchy in men’s apparel as the type I witnessed on this catwalk.

The next part of the Fashion Shows would be Ladie’s Evening wear:
Opening, Rocky Gathercole from Dubai illustrates a complete chain dress, followed by feathers, lots of sequin detail and corsets attached to wings.  The designs compatible to a vegas show, yet beautifully crafted.

Franco Montoro, Venezuela exposed his quilt textured jackets, 2 piece suits and a super deep plunge cropped jacket all in an intense array of royal blue, hot pink, champagne and bronze. Every piece infused with linen. Each of the garments certain to be authentic.

Patuna Bushyhead, Rep of Georgia is one designer to keep an eye out for.  As I would name her line “Ethereal”, she was classified as another one of my favorites. Using sheer soft chiffon to make a dreamy flowing dress, A line, as well as off the shoulder commensurate to what a Goddess would wear. I believe the dresses to be a likely representation of the new caftan of 2011.  I was then more so perplexed with her cunning stone and bead embellished hooded gowns, curve hugging, 2 foot train built in.  If they weigh at least 5 lbs I say, “totally worth the work out”. One could imagine a Halle Berry, Jennifer Lopez, or Gwyneth Paltrow just floating accross the red carpet in any of her gowns.  In my eyes, Patuna Bushyhead is the most talented designer of MBIFW.

Damaris Rubio from Dominican Republic suddenly transports the audience to a Swedish number of styles in a radiant spring colors including those you’ve seen on all SS 11 trend reports.  Damaris is versed in ruffles,plus plenty of texture, while adding tassels as belts or drawstrings.  The frocks were seemly from a daytime wedding to a cocktail party. A feel for femininity and romance could not be ignored, given the funnel necklines, satin as well as sheer fabrics, short A line skirts.

Last designer/artist Baron Samianto Levon, US conveys Art in fashion to spectators.  Seen was a violin instrument attached to a metal vest, landscaped paintings on a wide circle skirted frame of a gown.  Yet Mr Levon constitutes a business suit for the 20th century that made me pleased to see on a more mature male model rather than the usual pinups. He’s a rare ingenious designer.

This culminates the night of shows on 3/4. Needless to say I was overwhelmed with fashion but already eager for the next day’s shows on Saturday 3/5, stay tuned…

Photography by: Wil Lugo
Robert Flores,Bata Spacojevic,Patuna Bushyhead