I am CARIFESTA XV: Belted and Booked

I'm not just showing up to CARIFESTA XV - I am CARIFESTA XV. I'm your Caribbean culture cousin, your belted-up Bajan sister, your behind-the-scenes multitasker, and yes, the Programme Director for this festival. So from backstage to budget from sound checks to the Youth Village, im in it like Bennette. And while l'm hustling across every inch of this 10-day celebration, one thing remains constant: I will be serving fashun!

My label, Okoye by Kim, won't be hitting the runway for CARIFESTA but trust and believe I'll be strapping on one of my signature belts with pride and intention, pairing it with my CARIFESTA polo and some serious spf because Barbados hot ! Let's Talk About the Fashion If you know anything about Caribbean people, you know this: we dress with purpose. Always to impress. We love to be sweet off from funerals to fetes we are making a statement. This year's Fashion Emporium is about to serve looks. Every day, it will come alive with the work of designers and makers from across the Caribbean and diaspora and I don't mean fast fashion.

I mean crafted and intentional pieces that could never be mass-produced because they weren't meant to be. Whether you're into minimalist linen with edge, carnival couture, or upcycled denim with there's something that's going to call your name and as this is CARIFESTA - so your name in English, Spanish, French and Dutch. What you can expect: Fashion With a Point of View At CARIFESTA it's not just clothes, it will be conversations. You'll hear from iconic regional names like Anya Ayoung-Chee from Trinidad & Tobago, bringing her design dialogue to life with bold ideas and bold fabric.

You'll catch Alanna Doherty from Barbados, style infl uencer turned entrepreneur helping us reimagine careers in fashion that honour creativity and sustainability. Blac Flamingo and Killuh Pieces are repping hard with their featured looks in a celebration of street meets soul, style meets storytelling. And Jamaica? Whole heap of energy. Cooyah, Purple Jade, Reve they're all touching down and touching the runway with Gianna Fakhourie pulling the vision together. Panama is coming in too, with Love For Upcycling reminding us that sustainability is also style. There are panels, runway moments, and unexpected fashion drops you'll want to catch in real time. No schedule could ever do this justice, fashion will be walking around in the people. This Is Your Invitation to come through - Walk with a bag and leave with a look.

At CARIFESTA XV, fashion is front and centre. You'll see it in the Grand Market, yes. But you'll also see it on the sidewalks, in the line for Legendary fi shcakes, in the audience at Frank Collymore Hall, under the fairy lights in Queen's Park. Fashion will be in the energy, in the movement. In the mash-up of textures and stories and people. Come shop something that speaks to your spirit and if you are anything like me as you land you coming ashore with the new outfi t. And if you spot me? Compliment the belt. Because this is CARIFESTA and you didn't come to blend in.

#carifestaxv #voicenotesfromthevillage

Written by Kim Butcher

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