courtesy of: The Morning News
written by: Rosalie Klein
Island fashionistas and glitterati are counting down the days until ARUBA IN STYLE Fashion week officially opens for a weekend of famous designers parading their new collections on the runways and around pool decks for an exotic event boasting a number of celebrity models and observers.
AIS founders Ronchi de Cuba, Eva Wever and Damilice Mansur welcomed Ainsley Connell to Aruba this past Sunday; a veteran production manager, he will handle all the details and every aspect of AIS, making sure the event runs smoothly. After preparatory sessions on Sunday morning with local models and staffers, he sat with THE MORNING NEWS to offer some insights on the fabulous fashion shows and collections that will be on view for ticket holders from 3:30 to 9:30 PM at the Renaissance Convention Center Friday and Saturday, November 4 and 5.
A graduate of Nassau Community College with a degree in Marketing and Communications, he has been producing such events for the past 15 years and staged them in New York, Miami, Los Angeles along with a number of single designer shows in London and other locales.
How did you start producing Fashion Weeks?
I began working for a small designer in New York, and I decided I want to work more in production, so I went on to IMG, which is the AIS partner for this fashion week, and then after 5 years, went on my own and started my own company.
First time on Aruba?
Yes, and I am so grateful for this opportunity; I have fallen in love with Aruba.
What do you think of Aruba’s fashion scene? Who the people dress…the shops?
I think Aruba can really become the epicenter for Caribbean fashion, I think there are a lot of great things going on here already. With the advent of AIS there is great opportunity to expand more. I think this will help to bring more of a fashion presence to Aruba.
Do you think the Caribbean needs something like that?
Absolutely. Any type of awareness for people to come to the island is great, but there are certain people who are extremely interested in fashion, so events like this make it twofold for them. They can come and have a great vacation and experience fashion and see great designers and have a wonderful experience in Aruba.
A person on vacation to Aruba who has been to other islands commented she had never seen such fashion centers on other islands as here. Have you traveled the region, do you agree with that statement?
I don’t want to say from that perspective, but I will say I am pleasantly surprised by the number of designer stores to be found on the Aruba, and their absolute interest in being here, which I feel is very good for the island. It is a burgeoning situation here, fashion is obviously very important.
The nature of AIS is very much focused in regional designers, do you think it will spark interest in this?
It certainly helps the Latin, Caribbean and Dutch designers to show their work in such a venue, as it stimulates interest and awareness in their culture, design and their countries. Actually, it is very important.
Do you think there are certain characteristics that define regional designers over American and European?
For me, it is color. It is vibrant and something they take to further lengths. Their use of color is so incredible; for me the explosion of color is always something great.
I have noticed that at most gala occasions in the northeast U.S., the standard color is black…would you welcome more of this explosion of color-some new trends along that way?
Well, I think black can be a very safe color for people, and to step outside of that is sometimes difficult. However, we do have, thanks to Latin designers; we do have that happening, especially the shows this year, even for fall, you see a lot of bright colors. So I do think it is being carried over to the States as well. I feel giving the designers the distinct venues we have here in Aruba as a backdrop, will absolutely bring a positive light to what they are doing with their collections.
As an added value to the Saturday runway shows, AIS is offering Fashion Sessions beginning at 1:00 PM with fashion icons Nole Marin, a judge from “America’s Next Top Model” who has organized spreads for Elle Magazine and from Colombia, Pilar Castagno, former editor of Colombia Fashion Week. Tickets are available at the AIR IN STYLE office in Renaissance Mall.
