Local fashion designer launches ‘Storyteller’ collection

Cayman Islands vogue designer Isy B. has recently introduced Storyteller, a 10-piece capsule selection of swimwear, apparel and extras intended in Cayman and motivated by local folktales.

There are a few distinct hand-drawn prints in just the assortment, and each style tells a story based on a fable written by Cayman Islands storyteller Nasaria Suckoo-Chollette. These tales have been tailored into the standard African storytelling type – a tribute to Isy B. founder Isy Obi’s have heritage – with a message to inspire proprietors each time they don a piece from the assortment.

“To me, there is a unique energetic change involving garments we dress in that activates a feeling of amazingness in just us, as opposed to clothing as a patina,” spelled out Obi, who channels her gift as a medium into her get the job done. “My purpose is to structure pieces that evoke a deep recognizing inside of the wearer that they are incredible, with no needing validation from the rest of the environment, and each individual of the stories within just the assortment inspires you to know that.”

The a few prints that make up the collection, and the stories guiding them, are:

• ‘How the Butterflies Acquired Their Colour’: A tale about the metamorphosis of a wonderful butterfly that evokes wearers to be assured in their personal skin.

• ‘Mekaya’s Song’: The tale of a youthful musician who overcomes adversity, reminding wearers that they, much too, can arise from complications stronger than right before.

• ‘Una’s Wish’: An enchanting fable about embracing imperfection – a self-discovery on how our personal features are what make us distinctive.

Obi made the assortment from her Cayman Islands house throughout the island-broad COVID-19 lockdown.

“I like to journey and discover the planet,” she stated. “Pre-pandemic, I’d bring back again inspirations from my activities and mix them with my Cayman perception of color and my appreciate of the organic globe. When COVID-19 hit Cayman difficult, I preferred to hold developing but also uncover a way to aid and engage the creative group.”

The style designer collaborated with Suckoo-Chollette and Stephan Cotterell, proprietor of the regional manufacturing corporation Maintain Kreative, to carry the stories to everyday living through unique audio and videography, which wearers can listen to and observe via a special QR code that comes with just about every style.

Various of the items were being also concluded on-island by Caymanian seamstresses, and the designer applied local types, photographers, and marketers to shoot and start the selection.

“I’ve liked the imaginative system of operating on this selection so much,” Obi explained of collaborating with nearby partners. “They’ve helped me to convey my vision to life in so numerous a lot more means than just the clothing and add-ons I developed.”

The selection pre-introduced in December 2021 at The Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa with a thirty day period-prolonged brand name activation that gave spa company the option to immerse them selves in Isy B.’s world.

The total collection is now obtainable online at www.isybdesign.com, with local and worldwide shipping and delivery offered, and decide on goods are also stocked at The Countrywide Gallery of the Cayman Islands and The Kimpton.

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