Forty designers. Three days. One fashion-forward mission.
From May 2–4, Georgetown will take centre stage as the inaugural Origins Guyana Fashion Festival brings together thirty-one local designers and nine international creatives for a dynamic showcase of Caribbean fashion excellence.
Spanning a range of styles—from African and Indian-inspired garments to Indigenous wear, contemporary couture, fine jewellery, and other specialty lines—the festival is shaping up to be a culturally rich and visually arresting celebration of regional talent.
Ahead of the event, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Hon. Oneidge Walrond, M.P., met with participating designers at the historic Railway Courtyard. Her message was clear: Origins is about more than aesthetics—it’s about legacy.
“Guyana is brimming with untapped talent and creativity. The Origins Fashion Festival is a platform to elevate our designers, empower creatives, and spotlight Guyana as a serious player in the regional and international fashion industry,” the Minister said.
She emphasized that this isn’t a one-off showcase but a strategic step toward something much larger.
“We are not just hosting a fashion show,” she noted. “We are laying the foundation for a resilient, professional fashion industry—one that generates sustainable livelihoods for our designers.”
True to its mission, the festival’s programming doesn’t end at the runway. Attendees can expect a full slate of workshops and developmental sessions, curated to build industry capacity and future-proof creative careers. Topics will range from fashion illustration and design to artificial intelligence in the creative economy and professional makeup artistry.
Keisha Edwards, designer, event consultant and recently returned Chevening Scholar, underscored the educational value of these sessions.
“These workshops are essential courses that provide the technical foundation and business insights our creatives need to thrive in an evolving global industry,” Edwards explained.
Anticipation is already mounting among designers, many of whom see the festival as a career-defining opportunity. Roberto Teekah, fashion illustrator and designer, expressed pride in being included in the debut cohort.
“To be able to share the stage with both emerging talents and seasoned designers who have worked tirelessly to sustain and evolve Guyana’s fashion industry is inspiring,” Teekah said.
For others, like Salina Cruickshank, founder of Sally’s Stitch Fix, the moment is deeply personal.
“This is the first event of this scale that I have ever been a part of, and I’m truly honoured,” she said.
With rehearsals already underway and discussions ongoing about bringing in more models to support the robust designer lineup, Origins is shaping up to be more than just a fashion festival—it’s a cultural moment. Access passes can be booked here.
Images courtesy The Ministry of Tourism Industry and Commerce- Guyana
