Masquerade — CreativeTT’s Fashion Showcase for Vogue Italia
Client: Trinidad & Tobago Creative Industries Company Limited
We managed the full scope of event coordination and branding for Masquerade, CreativeTT’s inaugural fashion gala. The aim was to spotlight Trinidad and Tobago’s emerging and established fashion talents in front of Vogue‑Italia’s editorial team.
Design Approach
Our creative direction blended Vogue-worthy aesthetic with unmistakable Caribbean flair. Drawing from the grandeur of fashion capitals like Milan while celebrating our own design heritage, we developed a clean, bold event identity anchored by the striking “M” monogram. This was deployed across the 20×7 ft entrance banner and all event materials, creating a consistent visual language from invite to runway.
The show was staged in the garden courtyard of the Normandie Hotel, transformed into an open-air fashion theatre. The backdrop, banners, and floral colour palette were inspired by a modern Caribbean gothic sensibility. A custom-built 60ft runway was raised and flanked by 400 white garden chairs, framed by ambient lighting and dramatic draping. A costumed performer on a swing, styled as a hummingbird, greeted guests at the entrance, a nod to sponsor Caribbean Airlines and a whimsical cue to the show’s theatricality.
Role & Execution
We led full event management, branding, and production design, overseeing everything from layout planning and décor to fashion coordination and stage flow spearheaded by Technical Director Aaron Rocke. The transformation of the Normandie’s open-air courtyard into a high-end fashion venue was executed in coordination with Sasha-Ann Lawrence of Audaz Eventz, bringing the design to life with rich textures, soft uplighting, and defined guest zones.
Our team ensured the event stayed on schedule despite tight timelines. From the first planning session in early January to showtime on January 26th, 2014, every detail was delivered within three week, on-brand, on-brief, and on time.
Featured Highlights
Calvin French played a pivotal role in facilitating the relationship between CreativeTT and Vogue Italia, laying the foundation for the event’s international relevance. The guest list included industry leaders, fashion stakeholders, and government representatives, with editorial presence from one of the world’s most prestigious fashion magazines.
Designer showcases featured the work of Rhion Romany, Peter Elias, Meiling, and standout pieces from graduates of UTT’s Fashion Design programme. Model and talent coaching was led by Nigel Celestine, helping sharpen presentation and walk consistency for both seasoned and emerging talents. Public relations and protocol were executed by Tenille Clarke, now Managing Director and Principal Publicist at Chambers Media Solutions, who coordinated front-of-house experience and high-level guest engagement with seamless polish.
Though digital presence was still nascent in 2014, the event maintained a social footprint through its dedicated Facebook page, led by Marketing Lead Yvan Mendoza, which carried updates and brand visuals before and after the show.
Outcome
The live show generated immediate buzz in fashion circles, a limited‑invite event that was subsequently reported in multiple local outlets and acknowledged by fashion insiders as Trinidad’s moment in the Vogue spotlight. The discreet curation model and high‑profile turnout positioned CreativeTT and featured designers at the forefront of Caribbean style recognition.
Why This Matters
Masquerade demonstrated how creative industries can benefit from targeted presentation and strategic partnership. Our role helped bridge local creatives to global platforms through intentional branding and event production. For clients evaluating our process, this case underscores how deliberate event strategy, rooted in relationships, media access, and design execution, can elevate national branding, open doors internationally, and create long‑term impact beyond a single night.nel described the showcase as a bold “caribbean statement” in global style.