Left: Ali Lue's entry for the 'Tropical Glamour' Avant Garde designer of the year award.Right: Schnel Francis' entry in the Saint International and Appleton Genesis 'Tropical Glamour' show held on the east lawns of Devon House, Hope Road, on Sunday.  Center: The winning entry from Yola Gray, dubbed 'African Genesis'. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Alicia Roache, Entertainmment Coordinator

Yola Gray's 'African Genesis' entry into the Avant-garde Designer of the Year competition on Sunday quietly stole the spotlight and the coveted title.

The show, put on by Saint International and Appleton Genesis, was held on the lawns of Devon House to a substantial audience. Many in the audience were wowed by the ballooned, tiered gown designed by another Avant-garde contestant, Ali Lue, the samurai meets sci-fi theatrics of Carlton Brown and Michael Miller and the airy fantasy gown by Melissa Dunkley.

However, while many regarded Gray's design, a long, white skirt with metallic detail and a peacock-like train worn with a barely-there jewelled top and sleeves made of multicoloured accents, it did not receive the customary animated cheers from an audience impressed with the item.

Clearly impressed

Nonetheless, the judges from Parsons, The New School for Design, Carmela Spinelli and Marsha Tonkins, were clearly impressed.

It is the first time in the competition's three-year history that Yola Gray has won the award. She also won a cash prize of $100,000 courtesy of Appleton Genesis.

Gray says of the win. "I didn't expect it at all. It was very unexpected." So 'unexpected' was her win that while the finalists in the competition were being announced, Gray sat in the front row awaiting the announcement with the the audience.

Gray, whose designs have stayed clear of the theatrics, says she feels validated in her win. "There was a lot of politics at play. But the people from Parsons came to judge and all the politics went out the window," she says.

The winners in the top three also came as a surprise to many. Gillespie Fashions, who completely missed the theme of blue and white, instead opting for a brown and black split mini and strapless ensemble, placed second. Ray Lindo's box-cut jacket and white pants, which barely raised a nod from the audience, placed third.

It was enough to prompt Deiwight Peters, Saint CEO, to announce to the patrons at the show that he had nothing to do with the judging.

He later told The Gleaner, this is why the 'professionals' should judge. "The people from Parsons said they chose Ray Lindo because of the way he used the stitching, it is amazing what they are looking for," Peters said.

Gray says she was surprised, not just for herself but for Gillespie.

"I did not expect Gillespie because of the theme that was specified ... I was kind of surprised and happy because these are the people that are the underdogs."

Gray's win is one of a series of accomplishments the designer hopes to see this year. Her website HouseofFlava.com is linked to the Chicago fashion week's website.

Following her showing on that stage, she says she has received a lot of attention. She also has a photo shoot scheduled for later this year for persons in Chicago's entertainment scene and actress Robin Acuri will again wear her items in a movie to be released later this year.

The movie, Totem, is being shot in New Mexico. Gray has promised to come with a menswear line later this year as well.

"You can't keep a good woman down," she says.