By Justin Whyte, Entertainment Editor
THE RESUSCITATED A.J. Brown Fashion Follies 2000, which showcased Autumn and Winter haute couture, on Sunday presented masterpieces from Jamaican fashion leaders.
Admirers of fine, elegant clothes, who gathered at the Grand Ballroom Suite of Le Meridien Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, showed their appreciation of the collection of creative garments and entertainment package.
Against a background of a stunning set, featuring red and white headline, which read 'The A.J. Brown Fashion Follies', created by designer Leslie Kiddoe and Carrole Guntley-Brady, producer of the show, middle-aged and young models unveiled a pre-millennium fashion showcase.
Fashion designers, Beautiful Brides and Mr. Tux, Layne's, Signature's, Max Brown, Barry Moncrieffe and Chapeaux shared a billing, which comprised elegant expensive low-priced lines and futuristic creations. And the models Carmen Headley, Roxene Nichols, Michelle Williams, Heather Sykes, Marlon Atkinson, Gillian McCaulsky, Melanie Owens, Tricia Sutherland, Tanya Tomlinson, Omar Dawkins and Kirk Headley excelled in showing off the garments.
A pregnant Heather Sykes displayed the outfits with style, which were designed to show alternatives to the typical little black dress for special occasions.
The dramatic presentation was accentuated by members of the Stella Maris Dance Ensemble, who entertained well and had members of the audience in stitches.
Colour co-ordinated high-heels, broad-rimmed hats and other accessories took the audience on a fantasy journey.
In fact the show was presented as a package and not in segments to create a feeling of competitiveness. The predominant colours were grass green, sunflower yellow, roses red, as well as white and black.
Elegantly casual evening wear
The designs included gorgeous slinky evening dresses, bellowing ball gowns, attention-grabbing tuxedos, as well as sportswear and elegantly casual evening wear.
However, the highlights of the fashion extravaganza were the outfits, which fell under the theme 'Caribbean Wedding', designed by Barry Moncrieffe using bandanna, with an overlay of white organza, supported by crinoline, with matching head-dress for the bride and a well tailored suit, with white shirt accentuated by bandanna bow-tie and vest for the groom. It was a sight to behold.
The entertainment package was awesome, with eight-year-old Ayisha Ricketts, student of Sts. Peter and Paul Preparatory School giving a mature rendition of Summer Time; Judy Emanuel; Trinidadian comedian Paul Keen Douglas and the conceptualiser of the show A.J. Brown. Peter Ashbourne and Ashes, provided music for the entire night.
Mr. Keen Douglas was superb, sometimes bordering on risqué, but all in good taste. He caused the audience to scream with delight, when he dished out his Caribbean tales.
The toasts of the night were Judy Emanuel and A.J. Brown. Both artistes are blessed with vocal chords, which capture the emotions. They seemed always haunted by an insatiable appetite for memories and lyrics. They took the audience down memory lane and reminded them that ballads and love-songs were here to stay. And at midnight, those who had arrived for the 8:30 p.m. show did not want to leave.
A pleasing ambience was created by choreographer, Monica Potts-Lawrence, along with production co-ordinator, Alvin Campbell, with lighting by John Swaby, make-up by Anne Martin and fashion co-ordination by Weston Haughton, who made a smashing cameo appearance as a model.
A presentation was made by Mrs. Guntley-Brady, to Elaine Witter, of Layne's Boutique, recognising her involvement in the fashion world for over 20 years, and, in particular, her association with the A.J. Brown Fashion Follies since its inception.
Emcee Fae Ellington executed her duties well with the aid of a well prepared script.
The show came to a fitting climax with both models and dancers joining artistes and musicians on stage in a beautiful medley of gospel songs.
