Front row at Islands of The World Fashion Week, Nassau Bahamas

To this day, my favourite fashion event was the launch of Islands of the World Fashion Week in Nassau, Bahamas. It was the people, the place and the friendly atmosphere that has remained in my mind. When designer Karen De Freitas Fraser who showcased her label Soka contacted me to update me on her progress, it brought back fond memories and also reminded me of the motivated people I meet throughout the event. I asked Karen what she has been up too and I was impressed by her determination to pave her way as a big designer coming from the small island of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Karen receiving her applause at Miami Fashion Week

KC: So What have you been up to since we met a few years ago in Bahamas?

KF: Bahamas was my first introduction into the fashion world and it gave me a desire to continue with fashion design.  When I returned back home to St. Vincent I started to put my plan into action. I couldn’t just enrol onto a fashion course like in the UK and US so I shadowed seamstresses to learn how to sew and get from them the kind of advice that you can’t find on Google. To help market and promote my brand SOKA, I put myself in the limelight by showcasing at Miami Fashion Week and Nolcha in New York. It was a great experience and I wanted to do the same back home so I put together my own fashion production called genX which promotes art and fashion through the eyes of the next generation. I felt it was necessary to provide a platform for young designers on my island because established designers across the Caribbean regions receive repetitive exposure. Although I was passionate about it, I needed to pay my bills so I decided to follow my dreams and broaden my horizon by enrolling to Parsons the New School for Design in New York.

KC: How have you adapted to studying and living in New York and how is it different from your hometown St Vincent and the Grenadines?

KF: It was a culture shock when I first arrived. I didn’t have any friends or family in New York so it was lonely at times so I thank God for Skype! It took some time but I have fully adapted to the pace of life because I am a natural workaholic. I love being in the city because it’s so alive 24/7. You can get food from all over the world at anytime and anywhere. To get my curry goat and mauby fix, I just ride down to Brooklyn. There is art everywhere you look in NY, in the galleries, museums, statues, skyscrapers, street performances and in the way people dress. I love people watching because it gives me a wealth of ideas.  Most importantly I love the endless opportunities that I am surrounded by every day.

KC: Has moving abroad helped you creatively?

KF: Back home I worked independently. I had to be self driven and to keep that motivation I made close ties with experienced designers on the Island. But there wasn’t much financial support for the arts because the creative industry is still undeveloped in St Vincent. Parsons has cultivated my creativity because it pushed me out of my comfort zone. I am also able to network with a lot of creative’s which has helped me to gain much more confidence. I’m now exposed to a life where fashion is a lucrative market and this encourages me to develop my brand into a strong business and not just a hobby.

KC: What are your plans for the future?

KF: I’m not sure if I am going to stay NY.  I love it, but I don’t want to restrict myself. I want to travel because I think seeing the world contributes to your success as a designer.

Check out some designs from Karen’s label Soka

Photographer: tonga pictures, Mua: amanda rae negro, Hair: chantel george, Styling and wardrobe: Soka, Model:lorianna swain