Guyana’s tourism minister applauds discipline, collaboration at Origins Fashion Festival

During the launch of Origin Fashion Festival 2026 on July 3, Guyana’s Minister of Tourism Industry and Commerce Honorable Susan Rodrigues applauded participants for the discipline and collaboration displayed across every level of the country’s ecosystem.

“That is a structured fashion industry,” Rodrigues said. “It is emerging now before our very eyes as we celebrate our Diamond Jubilee under the theme A Diamond Legacy Fashioning 60 years. We are reminded that Guyana starts as a defining moment.”

“Origins Fashion Festival has just been inspiring to me,” she told Caribbean Life at the Railroad Courtyard, event space in Georgetown, adding, “I am inspired when I hear the stories from the designers to the supporting staff, the makeup artists, the models, stylists, the coaches, all of these people you see on the runway, it is not only about the designers.”

Rodrigues added: “It is a development journey. As His Excellency President Dr. Mohammed Irfan Ali has consistently articulated, the richness of our ancestral heritage meets the limitless potential of the Orange Economy. That vision challenges us to move beyond celebrating culture. Building industries from creativity, creating jobs from talent, and positioning Guyana as a competitive force in the global creative economy is our focus.” 

“President Ali has also outlined a clear direction for Origins to evolve beyond a single annual showcase, into a year-round platform, one that continuously builds skills, and exposure, and create structured opportunities for designers.”

“Guyana has that story. And our responsibility is to ensure our creatives are fully empowered. That is why, we continue to prioritize the development of Origins as a key pillar of national diversification,” said Minister Rodrigues.

Through a process that ensures fairness, transparency, and opportunity grounded in talent, the festival presented $250,000 grant to support the development of select creators. 

Five award categories received monetary prizes for Best Fashion Designer: Best emerging designer, best storyteller, best innovator, best female model, and best male model. 

The Best Fashion Designer received GUY$1M, while each of the remaining categories were awarded GUY$500,000 each. 

Minister Rodrigues also presented First Lady of Guyana Arya Ali, and Prime Minister Mark Phillips’ wife, Mignon Bowen-Phillips, with the 2026 glossy of Origins Guyana Fashion Festival during the opening.  

Thirty-one designers participated in runway shows over a three-night presentation. 

Brooklyn-based Guyanese Roger Gary put on a commanding display of his inspired collection, Holly Golightly, the iconic character from the movie “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” portrayed by Audrey Hepburn.

The collection traces a journey around the world to places that the designer has either visited or hopes to visit. 

“As she tours, she implements her own fashion aesthetics into each outfit highlight and celebrating each city, country, and place,” said the couturier.

Some of the other designers included Andrea Braithwaite, Cherisa Samuels, Amanda Brown, Faaizah Hackim Sapphire Rose, Maxi Williams, Dexter Garner Ashanti Davis, Vibert Dummet Carol Fraser, Katia Fitzpatrick, Derek Moore, Heshim & Melicia Ali, Sharon Sobers-Christopher, Sandra Debbie Sammy, Sazie Rahaman, and Joshua Aaron.

Others included Marie & Me, Isaiah Luther, Trianna Barrow Olympia Small-Sonaram, Neilson Nurse, Lydia Hinds Carl Peterkin, Natalya Thomas, Keisha Edwards, Phelicia Adams, Delayna Scott, Andrea Wilson, and Mwanza Glenn.