Indigenous fashion has become one of the most important aspect of life in Guyana and the world at large. Fashion has become central to modern life.
While people utilize fashion as a way to look good, feel good, express themselves, set trends, or to stand out in a positive way, local designer, Vanda Allicock uses fashion as way to embrace and showcase her Indigenous culture through her designs and outfits.
When Guyanese think about indigenous fashion they think about sacred prints, hand-burnished leatherwork, beaded appliqués, feather headbands and skirts made from branches or the outfit that Lenox Shuman, the deputy speaker, wore at the Supreme Court in 2020.
About the Designer
+ However, the 37-year-old designer, who was born and raised in Surama Village, North Rupununi, region 9 is using her traditional knowledge, skills and talent to move forward and create appropriate hand painted apparels for men, women and children.
Allicock has been in this field for about 5 years, and has been apart of many local fashion shows and events including Guyana Fashion Week.
I first noticed Vanda and her work in 2020, at the “592 Fashion Fiesta” where she showcased her designs along side many other designers; she was the only designer with an indigenous fashion line out of 26 or more local top designers.
I got the privilege of strutting in one of her pieces which I fell in love with at first sight, it was a red two piece swim wear and over all with an indigenous touch, and it went with a natural fibre hat. This piece made me feel so confident and bold, but yet cultural.
The designer expressed that her journey thus far as an indigenous designer has been a journey of growth, learning and identifying her strengths as a creative.
She further mentioned that one of the biggest challenge is the fact that there aren’t much materials to work with here in Guyana.
In my eyes and the eyes of others, Vanda is one of the most talented and most creative designers who plays a vital role in preserving our indigenous culture in such a unique way- through fashion.
As contrasted with time, Indigenous fashion is not just something you see in the month of September anymore, you see it everyday.
You see it on shirts, dresses, skirts and more. Vanda’s designs and hand painted apparel varies from themes of nature, animals, and more that captures the indigenous culture.
Vanda stated that her joy not only comes from her culture but also satisfying her customers and giving them exactly what they want.
Her advice to young indigenous youth who aspire to follow her footsteps is “Just do it, you never know who you may inspire or who’s life you might touch.”
I, personally would love to see more indigenous designers take space like Vanda.
Being an indigenous is hard, being a creative is hard, being a designer is hard. Being all three combined must be a real challenge, but Vanda stands out and continues to flourish.
She continues to grow against all odds and I know the indigenous community is beyond proud of her and her work.
We need more indigenous representation, and I hope that women like Vanda Allicock and other indigenous people who are making strides in various fields continue to inspire us and our future.
For persons who are interested in learning more about Vanda Allicock and her designs you can follow her on Facebook @VandaDesigns or contact her on (592) 670-5038
