BAVINA SOOKDEO
Smart and stylish is how people with Down syndrome also want to be seen as. It's a statement they will make in a fashion show – Fashion with Us – at the Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain on Wednesday.
Richard Young is the production designer and creative director for the Down Syndrome Family Network’s fashion show, which features models from the NGO. They will be styled in the creations of six designers – Claudia Pegus, Radical Designs, Charu Lochan Dass, Lisa Faye Sarjeant, Ecliffe Elie and The Cloth.
“The designers who are featured are all elated to be part of a life-changing practice, in terms of fashion show production, more so to foster empowerment motivation and to serve the cause of tangible ‘diversity and inclusion’ mandates that we all feel must dictate our transactions in the modern human living space,” said Young.
Prior to the show, a casting day was hosted at Hyatt and Young and the production team bonded with the models of the Down Syndrome Family Network, encouraging them to be courageous enough to walk on the runway.
Questioned on how the production will adhere to this year’s World Down Syndrome Day theme, Young explained, “The theme for this year is 'with us not for us' – which essentially means that people with disabilities have the right to be treated fairly and have the same opportunities as everyone else, working with others to improve their lives. So we decided to include the willing participants, our advocates, to be included in the charity benefit in a meaningful way by actually modelling in the show. We came up with the name – Fashion with us, utilising fashion as a noun as well as a verb to emphasise the active and intentional nature of our inclusivity. We feel honoured to do our part to change the narrative and break down barriers for all the contributing stakeholders.”
Young’s responsibilities are to sequence the show, create the music score, fit the models, choreograph, stage manage and script the presentation. He also works with a team which includes Lisa Ghany of the Down Syndrome Family Network, Diane Hunt and Giselle Laronde-West, Dominique La Roche for model and wardrobe management, Stephen Doobal of OMG Media publicity and social media, Miss World TT for most of the model cast, Sacha Cosmetics will be responsible for makeup and Ashvin Bally and his team will be responsible for hair. Broadcaster Jessie-May Ventour will be the host for the event. Partners for the event are the Hyatt Regency Trinidad, Media 21 and DH Maison.
On casting day, Laronde-West did some demonstrations and she, Hunt, and Young had pep talks with the families and willing participants. Rehearsal sessions were then held for them to prepare for the show.
Asked how he feels being so involved in this production, Young stated, “Co-ordinating the components of this unique presentation fills me with great pride. I feel Lisa and I are changing the paradigm for staging events nationally. Everybody came on board so willingly and enthusiastically
