by Genea Noel Ferguson

 

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He’s clearly not a slave of trends and fads ... fiercely imaginative, creative and resourceful. 

 

Bahamian fashion designer Theodore Elyett; now soaring to icon status, has brought international recognition to the Bahamian fashion industry as the season three winner of the popular television show – Mission Catwalk. 

 

The Caribbean version of the US hit reality show Project Runway, brought together designers from various Caribbean countries to compete for some coveted prizes in Jamaica – chief among them – a chance to showcase their designs at London Fashion Week in spring 2014.

 

Affectionately called “Theo”, Elyett stitched up the competition with his eye-catching, unique and distinctive pieces week after week. He threaded his way into the hearts of judges through his uncanny personality, letting his designs standout.

 

The 28 year-old brought about a renaissance of fashion with his inimitable style, edgy cuts and meticulous finishes, leaving his competitors with no other choice but to follow his stitch work. 

 

He tells Bahamian Escapes that it all began years ago when one of his friends encouraged him to enter a competition

 

“My high school best friend was a professional model at the time and had entered a local modeling competition. She knew of my passion for the fashion industry so she encouraged me to create a garment for her to compete in. This collaboration launched my fashion career at 13-years-old. My debut as the youngest professional fashion designer in the country garnered lots of media attention and my fashion career has grown by leaps and bounds since then.”

 

He was also commissioned to design two costumes for the Miss Bahamas Pageant, both of which captured third and fourth place finishes in the national competition.

 

At 14-years-old, Elyett became the country's youngest fashion designer to win an award within the prestigious competition. Between 1998 and 2008, he managed to build a portfolio that extended to the Caribbean, North and South America, Africa and Asia.

 

Elyett’s aha moment came in 2010 when he re-launched and rebranded his fashion label as Theodore Elyett.

 

But the young designer is not hanging up his scissors just yet. In fact, he says throughout the competition he was always focused on scoring the scholarship to the London College of Arts and the chance to showcase at London Fashion Week.

 

“I began with the end in mind and that was my only focus throughout the competition. It was a journey I started in 2003. But after completing only two years of college, I was forced to take a leave of absence due to financial constraints. Since then, that has really been one of my biggest goals. Having a solid education is paramount to me, so the thrust of everything I have done since leaving school has always been geared towards returning to the classroom to complete my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fashion Design, with a Masters in Fashion Business,” says Elyett – who this fall – plans to head back to Jamaica.

 

The rising star in design plans to take his love for crafting women’s ware with fine fabrics, precise tailoring and sophisticated details to the Jamaican market.

 

For the next three months Elyett will be engaged in a training course on manufacturing, hoping to hone his skills to ensure that he is able to mass produce quality products for the international market.

 

His Mission Catwalk win also affords him a contract with one of Jamaica's leading boutiques.

 

“This means a lot of effort on the road ahead will be geared towards designing and producing garments for retail sale in Jamaica. Aside from those ventures in the region, I head to London in February 2014 for London Fashion Week and then I return to London again in June 2014 to begin my courses at London College of Arts.”

 

But the reality of having his masterpieces on display in his home country is something that Elyett remains hopeful about.

 

“When I walk into a Jamaican retail chain and can purchase a Jamaican designers product, I think to myself, ‘what is my country doing to support and invest in it's own?’ ”

 

Elyett says it’s the first question that comes to mind when he thinks about his award winning styles that have brought him international recognition and respect in the fashion industry.

 

“I don't have much to say on this subject [except to say] that no matter what is shared, the common practice of ignoring artists in The Bahamas will persist. C'est la vie. A pat on the back for the Jamaican and Trinidadian governments and corporate entities that see the importance of supporting and growing its local fashion industries,” he says

 

Nevertheless, this fashion genius – who just seems bound for greatness – remains humble and true to the craft. He encourages those pursuing similar dreams to never to give up. He preaches that preparation plus opportunity will equal success.

 

“Never tire of researching and learning your craft,” he says. “Make it your life! Preparation for this opportunity took me 15 years. Overnight success never lasts. Persevere, be determined, surround yourself with people that are a few steps ahead of you, be your own biggest critic and only compete with yourself! Always aim to be better than your last best act!”

 

While his last act received a standing ovation, Elyett is focused on the Oscars of Fashion!