The BVI Summer Sizzle Experience

It was a night filled with laughter, chatting, and fun. But it was also a night that included a runway where models strutted down the center dressed in a kaleidoscope of colors from various designers, some of whom had flown down just to present their collection.

All of them stood out in their own unique way. A night to remember or a night to never forget. Summer Sizzle once again entered its twelfth showcase. The BVI has always been known for the prestigious five-day event. Over the years, Summer Sizzle BVI has seen a series of celebrity hosts, performers and designers, not limited to the likes of Taraji P. Henson and Nigel Barker. 

On its grand night, many designers showcased their bold creations. International and local designers set the tone for what Summer Sizzle has always been about: travel, fashion, and lifestyle. 

This Summer Sizzle event was hosted by actor, Joel Stiengold.

The Designers

ARK by Treflé

A key takeaway from the show is the opportunity it gives to local creatives. I managed to secure an interview with a local artist, Alexia Penn, who collaborated with local and internationally renowned designer, Kristin Fraser of Treflé. 

Alexia’s interview explained her collaboration with designer Kristin, and artist Roma Osuwo in creating an artistic collection that highlights British Virgin Islands beauty. 

Alexia stated that ARK Capsule Collection included six beautiful designs with their art printed on the garments. She describes the capsule collection as “from canvas to fashion”. 

Photos taken by Kamaal Lettsome of Epic Designs & Photography Studio

Her love for bright and vibrant colors could be seen throughout the pieces in the collection. Her print named Sunset Boulevard was created with a painting technique using strings to get the lines. She felt at her happy place when painting this unique artwork, and was excited to show it on the runway.

“I don’t think I’ll get to see it down the runway,” she joked, as she talked about her experience backstage, “but I’m excited.”

Coral Castillo

However, Summer Sizzle didn’t just include local designers, but international ones as well, including Coral Castillo, Project Runway Season 19 finalist, who told me that it was her first experience in the BVI showcasing her designs. 

Coral’s overall collection focuses on her background as a Mexican, who was thrilled to share the story of each garment piece and its connection to Aztec culture, in particular, the duality of Aztec goddesses. 

Photos taken by Kamaal Lettsome of Epic Designs & Photography Studio

Most of the pieces she showcased featured hand-made macramé dresses in either bright colors to represent femininity or black for strength.

Her signature piece featured the embroidered work of indigenous people from Mexico. The type of embroidery done on this statement piece is called otomí, and I got a chance to look at it close up and admire the labor-intensive skills of indigenous people, which Coral says took many hours to hand make.

Photos taken by Kamaal Lettsome of Epic Designs & Photography Studio

Jaer Cabán

International designer, Jaer Cabán, hailed from the neighboring island of Puerto Rico, and told me that this wasn’t his first time showcasing in Summer Sizzle, though the last time he’d been a part of the show was eight years ago.

The majority of his collection featured laser-cut-outs that gave an edge to the garments he designed. In this particular collection, he wanted to explore the laser-cut technique. A few of his garments pulled inspiration from Islamic architecture found in mosques.

Photos taken by Kamaal Lettsome of Epic Designs & Photography Studio

His runway looks featured details that focused on clean-edge cuts, keeping the silhouette simple. A few looks experiment with acrylic shapes and texture also laser cut and sewn onto the garment. 

Yumi Katsura

Paulette Cleghorn of Yumi Katsura described her collection as bringing eastern fashion to the western world. Yumi Katsura, a Japanese-based brand, focuses its aesthetic mainly on east-Asian styles. Paulette said that the highlight of Yumi Katsura was their all-natural fabrics, staying true to Asian roots when it comes to fabrication. Silks and cottons are staple for Yumi Katsura.

Photos taken by Kamaal Lettsome of Epic Designs & Photography Studio

Carlton Jones

Another designer not foreign to the BVI is Carlton Jones, known for his relaxed silhouette and comfort-clothing.

I’d previously volunteered for his brand in 2018 during New York Fashion Week. Carlton expressed that he found inspiration for a new type of jumpsuit during the COVID pandemic and inspiration took off as he built upon this look for both men and women. 

Photos taken by Kamaal Lettsome of Epic Designs & Photography Studio

Sergio Hudson

Sergio Hudson described his collection as Beverly Hills goes to safari. His collection focused on bold colors, tailored pieces, and statement looks that do indeed scream Beverly Hills.

Photos taken by Kamaal Lettsome of Epic Designs & Photography Studio

Caesar Galindo

International designer not foreign to Summer Sizzle BVI was Caesar Galindo. His bold and preppy style once-again graced Summer Sizzle’s runway. One of Caesar’s biggest merits in his aesthetic is how much his own personal style melts into his runway looks.

Photos taken by Kamaal Lettsome of Epic Designs & Photography Studio

The Models

I’d taken the time to not only get the designer’s perspective of the show, but the models as well. I interviewed four models: two international and two local. One of them was a male model who recounted Summer Sizzle being his second time modeling, and his first experience at Summer Sizzle.

J’Adon George expressed how much he enjoyed modeling and sees himself doing it more often in the future.

Two international models, Jennifer Liu and Ashley Varner said that it was their very first time in the BVI, describing their experience as a vacation. Ashley, who is signed with a modeling agency in Los Angeles, told me that modeling in LA was quite different from her life growing up in Indiana. She described LA as being high fashion.

Photos taken by Kamaal Lettsome of Epic Designs & Photography Studio

Jennifer Liu recounted her experience as a model in New York. It was her first time in the BVI. She mentioned that her experience in the BVI felt like part-vacation and part-work. She talked about ’island-time‘, which she pointed out differed from her experience in New York.

Photos taken by Kamaal Lettsome of Epic Designs & Photography Studio

J’Nae Demming, current Miss Teen BVI 2022, describes her modeling experience as quite different from her experience in pageantry. This would be her first time modeling—and luckily, she is modeling in one of the BVI’s hottest seasonal events. She describes her training as difficult, but an experience that she enjoys and learns from.

Photos taken by Kamaal Lettsome of Epic Designs & Photography Studio

Behind the Scenes

Hakeem Gravesande also was at the Summer Sizzle Event working as a photographer for the Ark Capsule collection. Hakeem explained that he saw himself more of a videographer, but had worked with Summer Sizzle BVI in the past as an intern for a local news media.

Lastly, I was able to interview the creator and founder of Summer Sizzle BVI, Terry Donovan. Mr. Donovan‘s love for fashion, travel, and culture led him to create this prestigious show that has gained international recognition. He enjoys providing an opportunity for young creatives, seasoned designers, artists, and local entrepreneurs to shine, and he does so through Summer Sizzle BVI.

This is one event where you can find aspiring photographers, upcoming models, local designers, and international designers all coming together for fun and laughter.

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