Hollywood actor Will Smith made a special appearance at the band costume launch of Trinidadian designer Anya Ayoung Chee, winner of Project Runway. Anya launched her sexy costumes for a specially designed section of the popular Trinidad band `Tribe.' Her exclusive section is called `Take Me To The Runway'. The Tribe Organization is know for producing colorful Carnival bands with thousands of players in various costumed sections.
The launch party/presentation took place at the Scott Street venue in St Claire, Trinidad and attended by Trinidad & Tobago Ambassador of Sports Brian Charles and Dwight Yorke, who, along with Will Smith saw an energetic display of Anya's section, performed by the island's top models, along with former `Miss Trinidad & Tobago' winners including: Gabrielle Walcott `Miss Trinidad & Tobago Universe 2011' and `Miss World 2009' 3rd place winner; Jenna-Marie Andre' a former `Miss Trinidad & Tobago Universe' Valene Maraj, a `Miss Trinidad & Tobago' runner-up, Soowan Bramble, Brianna Trim and Anna Rosa Banfield.
Anya herself a former `Miss Trinidad & Tobago Universe' joined forces with Tribe bandleader Dean Ackim for the costume collaboration which is already a big hit in the band's Carnival presentation for the Caribbean's biggest party come February. Ackim told the Trinidad Guardian newspaper; "We seek to find the people who have Carnival in their veins and a passion for excellence in their being. It is in this spirit that Tribe is proud to announce a new association, partnership so to speak.
This merger of an emerging International designer with the Tribe brand, which too enjoys worldwide recognition is a win - win scenario for both parties." Speaking of Carnival and Anya's contribution to the Tribe brand, Mr. Ackim emphasized; "Anya is the definition of a proud national with a talent that can propel her brand to international acclaim and we are honored to have her as part of the Tribe family.
The Carnival industry provides a very tangible and creative platform for emerging designers, and as bandleaders we have a responsibility to harness new talent and give them the outlet to express their vision. Carnival is an explosion of creative passion and we are at a time when the market is clamoring for the `what's next, what's new' factor while looking for something unique....Tribe perpetually sought new talent with a love and passion for Trinidad & Tobago culture and mass, which Anya Ayoung Cee epitomized.
" Carnival in Trinidad & Tobago happens February 20 and 21, but its the festivities that lead up to the grand two day event and parade that fuels the fire, with numerous competitions for Calypso King; King & Queen of the Bands; Kiddies Carnival and Road March competitions among the Carnival events. Tribe is uniting fashion with the colorful `mass' that is called Carnival. They will parade and compete for major prizes against dozens of other Carnival bands including: Trini Revelers, Harts, Brian Mac Farlane, Pulse 8, Genesis The Word, Showtime Mas, Fantasy, Salt Cure For The Mas, Yuma, Bliss, Explosion and Sobeit among them.
