Some of the faces behind the reconstituted Fashion Industry of T&T (FATT), LEFT: Heather Jones. RIGHT: Coline Baptiste-Mills, ABOVE: Christopher Nathan.
After learning last week from Finance Minister Winston Dookeran, during his budget presentation, that government remained committed to developing the industry, FATT executive member and well-known fashion designer Coline Baptiste-Mills is confident that the tide is beginning to turn. She says the organisation hopes to establish Port-of-Spain as an international fashion centre and position T&T’s fashion industry as the eighth non-energy economic sector of the Ministry of Trade and Industry. With an official launch for FATT carded today, at the Carlton Savannah, Cascade, Baptiste-Mills says the organisation is ready to make a significant contribution to T&T’s future economic growth.
Fashion diversification
Although FATT has existed since the 1970’s, Baptiste says the industry was “too fragmented” and eventually became stagnant. “That’s why we’ve been meeting for years as a board and discussing ways to move forward. In 2009, we were officially reconstituted in terms of documentation...We want to strengthen and promote Caribbean fashion within and beyond the region.” The managing director of Millhouse Company Ltd says FATT strongly believes that if the fashion sector is revitalised, it can significantly assist with diversifying the economy away from its dependence on the energy sector.
“We have the wealth of creativity and talent but we don’t have all the opportunities to channel it in the right direction. There has been sporadic success with designers such as Meiling, Heather Jones and Claudia Pegus, who have understood this through trial and error,” she says. “Government has committed to the establishment of a fashion chamber, so we hope that things will improve.” Baptiste says while the establishment of the Caribbean Academy of Fashion Design at the University of T&T was a step in the right direction for the industry, there’s still need for more government support if the sector is to realise its full potential and develop into a viable and sustainable industry.
40 billion dollar industry
Even though some may still view fashion as something to do in your spare time or as a mere hobby, Baptiste notes that it is a lucrative, credible career option. In fact, she says it’s a 40 billion dollar industry with endless opportunities. “Historical data from the Central Statistical Office (CSO) confirmed that there was a vibrant fashion/garment industry in T&T during the period 1960-1985. A 1978 CSO report stated that 130 garment manufacturing firms were registered with 7,000 persons being employed in the sector.”
But while many successful designers emerged in the late 1970’s and throughout the 80’s and 90’s, the sector took a nose dive in the following years, with an estimated 3,700 persons currently employed in the garment/fashion industry. But there is good news. The Morvant resident says when it comes to fashion designing, some of the best talent resides right here in sweet T&T. FATT, she assures, is working assiduously to hone this talent and revive the sector and has been conducting fashion seminars and workshops in secondary schools throughout the country.
Fashion district
In the short term, Baptiste says FATT aims to create its own size chart catered specifically for the Caribbean. Simply put, this means no more skinny, size zero American and European model structures in clothing stores, since Baptiste says they did not adequately reflect the body types of the majority of Trinibagonians. Also high on FATT’s agenda is the standardisation and classification of the industry as it relates to wages.
What about the long term goals?
She said: “We want to see some kind of harmony between fashion week, the association and the academy and all similar sectors, working together as a fashion district, where we have our own space to design, produce and sell locally, as the first option for consumers. “We also want to capitalise on the 13 million tourists who come to the Caribbean annually. “With dedication and support we can do it.”
FATT Board of Directors
Fashion designers:
Coline Baptiste-Mills
Dianne Hunt
Ecliff Elie
Heather Jones
Meiling Esau
Peter Elias
Robert Young
Professionals/technicians:
Christopher Nathan
Camille Pierre
Courtenay Williams
Michele Reis
Individual members:
Nigel Eastman
Shurnel Oliviere
