Cayman Front and Center at Adrian Alicéa’s New York Fashion Week Runway Show

 Adrian Alicéa is an award-winning American designer who has been deeply immersed in the fashion world for decades, having established invaluable working relationships with the industry’s leaders like Giorgio Armani, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood and Hermès. He has also had the coveted privilege of dressing many A-list celebrities, including Zoe Saldaña, Nick Cannon, Harry Connick, Jr. and Daddy Yankee.

Alicéa’s New York Fashion Week Runway Show, which was held earlier this month at the iconic La MaMa Theater, paid homage to the Cayman Islands. He attributes the inspiration for his Spring/Summer 2024 collection, titled “Arena Blanca” (Spanish for “white sand”), to the natural beauty of Grand Cayman that surrounded him, during his week-long visit to the island, after accepting an invitation to showcase his past collection at Cayman InStyle Fashion Week’s Runway Show (which took place on April 1st, 2023 at the Ritz-Carlton).

CEO of Cayman InStyle Fashion Week, Norma Ebanks, was amidst a full house that viewed the debut of the Arena Blanca collection which included cocktail dresses and couture gowns made of exotic feathers, intricate lace, delicate mesh, voluminous netting and fine silk fabrics, ranging from sand-colored neutrals to muted shades of coral to vibrant flora hues of greens and yellows.

A special runway appearance was made by the 2nd Runner-up of the 2023 Miss Universe Cayman Pageant, Tracey Campbell, who was styled in a pink and black island-print long-sleeved belted dress. She was the recipient of the Adrian Alicéa award (for best walk) which was announced at the night of the pageant.  Another representative of the Cayman Islands was Veronika Fankina who modeled a two-toned blue evening gown adorned with pinwheel feathers and pearl accents.

Also gracing the catwalk was Caymanian model, Alana Tooker, who closed Alicéa’s show in his showstopper ensemble, consisting of a golden yellow high-neck feathered top and a burnt orange ruffled skirt, with a sweep train - the colours depicting Cayman’s coastal sunsets (one of its many scenic attractions).