Fashion + Blog: December 2011

The Decorated Relish Restaurant at the Carlton Savannah Hotel

The Carlton Savannah's Relish Restaurant and poolside were transformed on Friday night to accommodate the first of a series of very exclusive parties called "Maharaja Nights"to be hosted by SMAKS West Indies. Located at the Carlton Savannah Hotel and Valpark Shopping Plaza, SMAKS WI is a notified brand of bespoke teas and fine goods, including luxury dinner services, stemware and decorative items from Russia, Sweden, Germany and France.

Beautiful decorative pieces by Smaks Trinidad

The decor and ambiance of a Smaks store, let alone event, is reminiscent of a Maharaja's palace, making suitable the event's title "Maharaja Night". The explosive Maharaja Night was an exotic exhibition of various art-forms and tasty treats including presentations and promotions from local mobile carrier B Mobile, who displayed their new Samsung Tablet; Artistic Jewelers, a jewelry company with all one-of-a-kind jewelry from around the world, American Airlines, and Trinidad fashion designer extraordinaire Claudia Pegus who wowed the crowd with her new collection.

Models at the Poolside Fashion show
displaying designs by Claudia Pegus

Models in designs by Claudia Pegus

Papita Alwani, owner of Artistic Jewelers kept busy all evening as attendees crowded tables holding her precious jewelry pieces. "I've been a jeweler all my life, jewelry is in my blood" she gushed as she discussed just why her pieces are so admired. Her jewelry, she explained, are all one of a kind, some even made or altered exclusively for her. Many of her pieces were included in Claudia Pegus' runway show.

Artistic Jewelers owner Papita Alwani
shows off her one-of-a-kind jewelry

Beautiful pieces by Artistic Jewlers

The event was attended by many dignitaries and local socialites including Miss Universe 1978 Penny Commissiong, popular local fashion photographer Calvin French, TSTT Executive Vice President Lisa Agard, Caribbean Academy of Fashion & Design Programme Coordinator Christopher Nathan, Head of dance at UTT Carol La Chapelle. Also in attendance were Government officials and Ambassadors including German Ambassador Stefan Schluter.

Smaks Trinidad owner Kiran with
TSTT Executive VP Lisa Agard

Ms. Universes 1978 Penny Commissiong
at the poolside awaiting the fashion show

From left: Carol La Chapelle, Danielle Delon
& wife of German Ambassador Stefan Schluter
enjoy each other's company in a poolside booth

The exciting mixer came to an end with a second presentation by Claudia Pegus, a few good drinks courtesy of Patron and a very generous gift from Smaks.

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Che Lovelace (left) greets his guests at the launch of his new collection of work

Trinidadian artist extraordinaire Che Lovelace, celebrated the unveiling of his latest collection of paintings and drawings at the Medulla Gallery on Fitt Street Port-of Spain on Thursday evening. Studio Swap 2011, as the highly anticipated event was called, was well attended, so much so that the crowd of excited supporters and art lovers filtered on to the outside of the cosy two story gallery.

The new pieces feature the human body captured in various positions ("Figure on the Wall"), events ("Man Wining on a Wall") and situations ("Overreacting Madman at the Independence Day Parade"). Lovelace, who is extremely passionate about his craft, has been working with a series of self portraits that he captured while moving around his studio, which he used as inspiration to develop the featured projects. Here are a few photos of the collection.