Soufriere, Montserrat.
Photos: Sean Nero

Even though the bikini-and-beads trend features glaringly in its Carnival 2010 portrayal Tesoro del Caribe (Treasure of the Caribbean,) mas band Wee International scores major originality points for its thematic media launch, held last Sunday at Crews Inn, Chaguaramas. The venue was ideal for the private unveiling and kudos should go out to the sound design team for the choice repertoire models got to dance to, during the world premier.
There was clear indicators that extensive thought went into production when the models took the spotlight.

The only blemish was seeing workmen scurry into the venue an hour after the scheduled 4.30pm showing—smack in the middle of cocktails—carrying the lights required for the actual presentation, as well as fog machines. While guests mingled metres from the stage, the technical crew were in a mad rush to reposition equipment for the show. Wee International’s depiction took on-lookers on a journey across the isles of the Caribbean, extracting and showing many of the eco-tourism and artistic treasures.

The 12-piece collection making up Tesoro del Caribe were: Sultry Spice (Grenada); Irie (Jamaica); Splash (The Caribbean Sea); Legend of Yuquiyu, (Puerto Rico); Valley of Desolation (Dominica); Ramajay (T&T); Soufriere Aglow (Montserrat); Sting Ray City (Grand Cayman); Taste of Paradise (Antigua & Barbuda); Black Beauty (St Vincent and the Grenadines); Sulphur Explosion (St Lucia); and Sunset Romance (Barbados). With the cool Caribbean breeze blowing in from the Gulf of Paria, models—some a lot more confident that others—took centre-stage as the master of ceremonies Fabrice Francois described the much-touted beauty and splendour of the Caribbean.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Sultry Spice, Grenada., A Taste of Paradise, Antigua & Barbuda., Splash, The Caribbean Sea., Sting Ray City, Grand Cayman.