Carifesta Designer Profile – Alexis Ryan [Anguilla]

Mr. Alexis S. Ryan made a start in the world of fashion as teen, covertly sketching portraits with various styles of clothing and accessories. He was discovered by his textile teacher who encouraged him to share his talent with others

His first sketch came to life at age sixteen, when he designed a prom dress for his twin sister. In 2002 he was commissioned to design two dresses for the Miss Anguilla pageant; the dresses were subsequently awarded second and third place in the evening wear segment.

To date his designs have been featured at Essence of Style, Taste of the Caribbean, Virgin Islands Fashion Week as well as in Shabeau Magazine, Caribelle, and ITZ Caribbean.com among others

Alexis has started his own clothing line, TheoChris Designs with his mother Marilyn Ryan as a partner and co-designer. The motto for the line says it all, ‘ TheoChris – Dare to be noticed – Clothing for individuals who like to stand out in the crowd.’

Alexis’ believes that that the clothes you wear have a lot to do with how you feel as a person, TheoChirs he says is about you being able to express yourself how you want to.

Designs By Alexis Ryan

TheoChris1TheoChris2

Carifesta Designer Profile – Janay Reymond [Anguilla]

JanayFrom a very young age nineteen year old Janay Reymond was imbued with a flair for the art; she designed her first dress at age twelve for a cousin who was participating in the Miss Anguilla Pageant. She has always aspired to own a clothing line and that dream became a reality with the launch of the independent label Feelo’Je.

Janay chose the name as both a dedication to everyone who inspired and encouraged her to follow her dream and to capture how much designing is a part of her life. Feelo’Je means Feel-of-Jay: the feel being her passion for the art of fashion and her love of designing, the Jay being what she is affectionately called by her family and friends.

Since the official launch of her swim line on July 1st, 2007, entitled, ‘Feelo’Je’s Traffik Jam’, Janay has created waves. She has showcased her pieces at: WMM’s ‘Show Me Your Body in St. Kitts, the Nevis Fashion Weekend, Virgin Islands Fashion Week and many fashion events in Anguilla and St. Maarten. Her designs have placed in the top 5 at the 2007 Miss Earth Pageant courtesy of Miss Je T’aime Cerge; won best swimsuit at the 2007 Miss Venus Model Pageant, and won third runner up Miss Caribbean Culture courtesy of Miss Latoya Hughes.

Its Janay’s belief that a woman has the ability to be whomsoever she wants; a woman is strong, sensual, stylish, beautiful and ultimately powerful and throughout her designs she brings to life that factor.

Designs By Janay Raymond

Janay2 Janay1 Janay3