‘Folk Lure’ to show off Afro-inspired style | Local Features

A FASHION FORWARD exhibition of Afro-inspired style will be on display at the Queen’s Hall today from 5pm: Ewa Afrika 24…The Folk Lure.

Produced by the Emancipation Support Committee of Trinidad and Tobago (ESCTT) for two years, this year’s fashion show will take place inside the Queen’s Hall rather than as usual outdoors at the Garden Theater. The show is part of ESCTT’s efforts to produce the largest pan-African festival outside of Africa.

The production promises to utilize technical, scenographic and theatrical effects for a spectacular fusion of fashion, performance and beauty arts.

Local fashion guru Richard Young will once again direct the production. He shared:

“This year we are paying homage to African style under the name The Folk Lure. Indeed, at first listen, the subtitle sounds like folklore. This is intentional, as it evokes a mythological essence intrinsic to our artistic expressions (and) rooted in our postcolonial individuality, just as it speaks to the magnetic appeal of our collective style philosophy.

Ewa Afrika will feature 20 fashion designers and a cast of exceptional models as well as performances from drummers Wasafoli, Charmaine Forde, Ataklan and Deon Baptiste.

Abeo Jackson and Conrad Parris are the show’s commentators, or “griots,” to quote Young, who scripted a fashion story for the show. Celia Wells is the lighting designer.

The Creative Entrepreneurs Prelude begins at 4 p.m. Designer collections begin at 5 p.m., while the post-show buyers gallery begins at 7 p.m.

• TICKETS: Please visit the Queen’s Hall box office.