On Saturday June 7th 2025, the Caribbean Academy of Fashion and Design (CAFD) of UTT decorated a stage and event for 3rd and 4th year fashion students within their program. The show was a diverse on-splash of cross-culture evolution of Caribbean fashion.
NEXT GEN GLOBAL
Pastel tones, voluminous elements, rich textiles from satin, to synthetic frill. Rococo and Haute Couture influences. The future of Caribbean fashion is culturized for globalization it seems. ‘
Here are some of our favourites:
[Are you the designer of this look? Please reach out and inform us at contactwiofthefuture@gmail.com]
This dewdrop Rococo moment makes fantasy meet modernity – mastery of pastel tones, and the deliberate romanticism woven into every thread. It’s an outfit that belongs on the grandest couture runways, designed not merely to impress but to enchant.
Look by Kayla Alexander winner of the ‘Adrian Foster award’
This structured cropped jacket balances sharp tailoring with modern flair, allowing the ensemble to exude both sophistication and edginess. From the designer’s perspective it’s is a blend of Indian drapes, stick fighting volumetrics elevated to a high concept avant-garde design that characterizes couture houses in France or Italy
[Are you the designer of this look? please reach out and inform us at contactwiofthefuture@gmail.com]
Focused patchwork for relaxed individualism in a standout male piece. It feels both handmade and intentional—a sartorial declaration that refinement can exist within disorder. It’s a look that could command attention on a runway but remain deeply personal in everyday wear.
The events thematic title was opulence where our Nostalgic elements reinterpreted with a contemporary lens were the true theme of the night.
Most refreshingly we see even as designers lean towards Western or European palletes, the inspiration of a cultural background finds it’s way into stitches.
Caribbean ethnic elements continue to invade and enhance modern ideas.
The students have been preparing the entire semester for this opportunity for public critique, reward and display of their work. Runway Academia is made up of daily sketching, sewing, fabrics sourcing, sizing and then testing and retesting through tedious trial and error before a final product can be achieved. Like most academic degrees fashion is very hands-on – Each designer having their own unique process with their own self-learnt tricks of the trade.
Are you a new gen designer that would like to share your process with us and feature on our page? Reach out to us via email at contactwiofthefuture@gmail.com. Whether it be with needle and thread West Indian creators who are shaping the future of Caribbean media are who we want to hear from. Introduce yourself!
