The SHE Caribbean team in Trinidad (Anya 2nd from right and Mae Wayne front seated) last year for the making of the Autumn issue.
Trinidadians have been watching closely season nine of the Lifetime Reality TV show Project Runway with good reason. Their very own Miss Trinidad & Tobago 2008 Anya Ayoung-Chee is among the featured designers who week after week has had to compete in challenges in the hopes of becoming America’s top designer. But it also seems now SHE Caribbean right here in St Lucia has a great reason to tune into the show. Anya has worked very closely with SHE Caribbean magazine before. In fact she styled the Autumn 2010 issue which featured on the cover Trinidadian model Soowan Bramble. At the time SHE
Anya competes on Project Runway
Caribbean, produced by the STAR Publishing Company, had launched a search for Trinidad’s hottest model.
SHE Caribbean cover styled by the Trinidadian designer.
After choosing Soowan, Anya got to work on the edgy look SHE Caribbean publisher Mae Wayne wanted to achieve. It’s still one of our favourite covers to date. In fact Mae reminded us that even before Anya styled the cover she had been named in a previous issue of the magazine as ‘one to watch!’ “I first met her when she was going up for the Miss Universe to represent Trinidad and one thing that hit me right off the bat was her sense of style. She was unique,” explained Mae. “Two years ago she launched her own fashion line.” The SHE Caribbean publisher now realizes that her own purchase of one of Anya’s jackets from her line ‘Pilar by anya’ was a very good idea! “She is very edgy and that is what we wanted for the cover she styled,” said Mae who has also been tuned to the show. “What has amazed me is how she learned to sew so quickly because she used to design and not necessarily sew.” The judges on Project Runway, that include model Heidi Klum, Marie Claire fashion editor Nina Garcia and designer Michael Kors, have also remarked on Anya’s sewing ability after learning only four months ago. Anya has already won a challenge on the show and is always in the top when it comes to challenges. “She is smart, gifted and very artsy,” said Mae. “It has been exciting watching the show and seeing someone out of the Caribbean do so well. She could win this!” SHE Caribbean wishes Anya best of luck! Project Runway airs on Lifetime on Thursdays at 9pm.
by Nicole Mc Donald
