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of sculpture, art, photography, music and cuisine. It is a model Noel seeks
to duplicate across the Caribbean, “we are too small to be insular, we
need to see beyond each individual island state and recognise we are one
Caribbean.”
Noel has started to bridge the gap of regional penetration and exports
her extensive line to Barbados, Jamaica, St. Lucia and Trinidad with an
exclusive line called ‘First Resort’ retailed through a boutique in Tobago. The
accomplishment has come on the heels of attending Caribbean Fashion Week
(CFA) an opportunity the designer thanked Caribbean Export Development
Agency for. “I couldn’t have gone without Caribbean Export. The line was
well received and CFA increased the visibility of Mariska Designs locally and
regionally.” Noel called for the support demonstrated by Caribbean Export
for the creative industries to be duplicated by other regional partners who
needed to follow the remarkable example set. “Visitors to the Caribbean are
hungry for unique pieces, Caribbean retailers need to be more receptive,
accepting and supportive of this fact.”
The Guyanese fashion designer extended appreciation to Caribbean Export for
also being able to attend London Engage, an initiative designed by the Agency
to expose regional designers to buyers and a captive audience gathered in
London for the 2012 Olympic Games. “This opened new opportunities,” says
Noel, who was able to dress a British talk show host during the European
tour. The SNFCA founder noted that key connections were made and “seeds
were planted that will grow in the future.” While noting that she is still
seeing results from the exchange, Noel says follow up is required and suggests
repeat visits are necessary to cement relationships and seal agreements.
“What now needs to materialize is for the Caribbean to produce our own
version of London Engage. A regional showcase that we take internationally
to the diaspora, buyers, media and investors.” It is a challenge Noel hopes
her Caribbean counterparts will readily accept and one that she hopes will
become a reality. Her vision is one obviously shared by Caribbean Export. The
Agency developed a branded intervention titled “Caribbean Essence” which
seeks to bring designers and buyers together through showcases.
In an effort to bridge the borders of the Caribbean countries, Noel works
tirelessly to create new opportunities for regional integration. The designer
turned publisher recently released the first issue of the magazine Makin’ Style
as “a new platform for the creative arts and a celebration of Caribbean style.”
Guyana Fashion Week will boast the addition of instructional workshops and
Noel serves as a mentor and inspiration for imprisoned women. Noel aims
to further develop this latter initiative into creating a factory for women in
prison, “it is a way of rehabilitating women, giving them a renewed sense of
pride, they are providing a service towards creating something beautiful.”
Her efforts have not gone unnoticed. The Mariska Designs owner was the
first Caribbean designer to be invited to host a lecture at the acclaimed
Brown’s University in Rhode Island. Noel was selected by Caribbean Export
to represent Caribbean fashion in the thriving economic milieu of the 2012
Olympic Games in London. Celebrity recording artist Michelle Williams
of Destiny’s Child fame wore a piece by the Guyanese designer during a
televised interview. The piece featured Noel’s signature interlocking fabric
design, which according to Noel is inspired by the latticework, windows and
architecture of the Caribbean.
Accomplishments such as these keep Noel motivated and when asked about
her future plans, the list is long. She continues to work with diligence,
allowing her natural talent and passion to be presented through her many
endeavours. “I want to be remembered as someone who contributed to
society.”
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