Dear readers,

Today, my beautiful island in the sun Grenada, celebrates 40 years of independence. To express my patriotism and pride I wore our national colours yesterday and today. Red characterises the people, who are passionate and courageous, gold symbolises wisdom and warmth and green represents the fertility of our land. With my internal sunshine I hopped down the streets of London while the wintry corporate herd looked on in disbelief.

My banana dress and lemon skirt was designed Karen De Freitas from the neighboring island St Vincent and the Grenadines. I met Karen at Island of the World Fashion Week in the Bahamas and I’ve been impressed by her drive and determination ever since. We had a quick catch up to find out what’s new with her fashion label SoKa.

KC: What have you been up to since we last spoke?

KF: Last year I re-launched my website MadebySoka along with a diffusion line called CharlesOlive. It’s for a younger, cheekier, cash strapped buyer.

It’s still a work-in-progress, but my aim is to catch the attention of the global fashion market by investing in Internet shopping functions. I want Soka to have a strong virtual presence as well as being stocked in boutiques in Brooklyn, California, Miami and throughout the Caribbean.

I’m in my last semester at Parsons, so all my energy is being poured into completing my degree and making my mother proud. I’ve also been interning and learning as much as possible while in New York. Balancing school and running my own business is taxing, but I look at it as sowing my seeds for a fruitful harvest in the future.

KC: What are you currently working on?

KF: I’m working on my pre-fall 2014 thesis collection, which is inspired by the Dancehall scene. I want to create a sense of nostalgia associated with old school dancehall music so I’m drawing inspiration from 90’s artists like Shabba Ranks and Patra. It incorporates the sexual liberation expressed by dancehall queens, the vibrancy of the dress code and flashy artwork seen on dancehall album covers.

KC: Are you going to return to St Vincent when you graduate?

KF: At this present moment in time, I think I can do more for my country outside of the island. I started my young label in St Vincent and the lack of resources and support was a major challenge. For me designing is not just a hobby, I am building a business. My hope and dream is that my success will allow me to return to start a design program for young people like myself who are not fortunate enough to leave the island to pursue their dreams in fashion. So not now, but I won’t say never.

www.madebysoka.com | development 

Style portrait by Frederique Rapier