Fun and flirty ruffled minis, colorful crocheted knitwear, and loose baggy shirts graced the catwalk Saturday night at the Town Ballroom in downtown Buffalo for CariFest 2007.
Bright colors of red, green and yellow were in abundance, recalling the vivid colors of Caribbean fashion and national flags. The summer wear was light and breezy, with beach-style influences, but the only uniform fashion was confidence.
For men, bright colors and the classic t-shirt and jeans look were popular. Swinging and strutting, the guys struck sultry poses, showing off their custom outfits.
Several clothing lines were shown including "Empress So Divine," and "Riddem Driven," a tribute to Bob Marley. The "Islands in the Sun" line was made up of beaded, glittering bikinis, and feathers in colors coordinated to the flags of Caribbean nations. The female models paraded like colorful exotic birds in outfits that demanded self-esteem.
"The style was very conscious. It speaks of culture, of people, it sends out a message," said Ebilma Ponce, a communications major at Canisius College.
Roxann Julien, a human services major, and Leeza Walkes, psychology major, were two of the fashion designers for the show. Both were participating in a fashion show for the first time.
"I like the fact that the models had fun," Julien said. "That's what we were working for."
The festival also included a pageant to determine the Caribbean Student Association (CSA) royalty for 2007-2008. The contestants, each representing a Caribbean nation, were judged on the basis of fashion, talent, and a question and answer session. Ashley White, representing Guyana, won the CSA Queen title.
The second part of the Carifest evening was a party and concert featuring DJ Skerrit, the Ghetto Life dancers, and "king of dancehall reggae," Beenie Man.
The ballroom was packed with over 800 people, and DJs and dancers' performances churned up the stage with a nonstop torrent of energy. However, the noise of the crowd's enthusiasm filled the room when Beenie Man took the stage.
Beenie Man, with his long trademark dreads and goatee, wearing all white, commanded the room with star power and charisma. Versatility and stamina marked a high-energy performance that was largely freeform.
He explained how he began a professional music career at the age of five, and met success early in life. Such a prodigious start was due to his sense of being driven to music.
"From the day I was born, it was given to me by God," Beenie Man said. "I just used it."
His inspiration came from within, he said.
"I was born to the music. I don't need to do anything to get inspired, I am inspired," he said.
Beenie Man pursued his calling despite the wishes of his parents.
"If my parents never recognize me as an artist, that's fine. It's my thing, not theirs," he said.
Beenie Man said that he thinks that American music is different from Caribbean music because it is often marked by class differences.
"Caribbean music is a cry from the people of the Caribbean, not rich or poor," he said. "The music is a culture, a lifestyle."
He has no target audience - "just reach people, no territories." And his advice for aspiring musicians is simple.
"The most important thing is yourself," he said. "As an artist, know yourself and what you want to do. It's for you to pursue whatever you want to do and dedicate yourself."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
