After going back to the drawing board, Virgin Islands designers Kristin Frazer and Florence Phillips have each submitted another version of their submissions for territorial cultural dress. Both designs were unveiled to the public yesterday, and elected representatives will choose the winner at their next sitting July 24, said Brenda Lettsome-Tye, acting director of culture.
“This is based on the public’s feedback,” Ms. Lettsome-Tye said.
Mses. Frazer and Phillips worked together in updating their designs after unveiling them during a June programme. Both women said they are happy with the new looks.
“We listened to the different comments that were made, and we had meetings together,” Ms. Frazer said. “It’s something that I’m proud of.”
Ms. Phillips agreed. “We worked night and day,” she said.
Whichever design is chosen, the women’s skirt and man’s shirt will be made using a VI-themed print designed by Keiron Harry, Ms. Lettsome-Tye said. She added that several other Caribbean countries have a national fabric print used for everything from cultural dress to tablecloths.
The fabric is highly identifiable, and will eventually become something people will visually associate with the VI, she added.
The print is white with clusters of colourful depictions of items with close ties to the VI, including a Tortola sloop, soursop, oleander, a turtledove, a map-like picture of the territory, and the words “Virgin Islands.”
“It has everything but a bowl of red peas,” joked Eileene Parsons, head of the ad-hoc territorial song and dress committee.
The fabric will be for sale locally as soon as it can be printed. Ms. Parsons said she plans to use the fabric to make the next round of BVI Heritage Dancers costumes.
“I’ll be proud to wear this anywhere. I’ll be buying yards and yards of it,” she said.
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