CFW First Full Concert Effort Goes Well

It took the wit of Tanya Stephens and Mavado's melody to bring energy to what was a drawn out staging of Caribbean Fashionweek on Friday night at the National Indoor Sports Centre.

After another of the many long breaks between the segments, Tanya Stephens took the stage and immediately started to thrill the audience with songs like Don't Gaggle and Nuh Ready Fi Dis Yet. Boom Wukwas a hit among the women and it got them dancing.

"I didn't realise this song was so x-rated," she said laughing. "I want to see all the hands of the men who have a long ding dong." And, continuing on the topic of sex, she sang Good Ride.

While singing After You, she got the audience laughing when she jokingly said, "tek half a everything like Audley Shaw." That was followed by a slew of her lyric-filled songs like Damn You, Cherry Brandy, Still Ago Lose Him and To The Rescue. She had the people eating out of her hands when she finished off with These Streets and It's A Pity.

While it took a little more effort from Tanya Stephens to get the patrons moving, Mavado had them standing and even giving gun salutes when he came out singing So Special and Gal A Mad Ova.

"Mi have whole heap a song but not enough time and unnuh know seh a bare hit songs, don't," he said, before singing Stulla.

During his performance he was 'accosted' by a 'fluffy' female patron who didn't want to stop dancing with him. She gleefully continued to dance and caused quite a stir in the audience. Come Into My Room was a hit among the women and Star Bwoy was well received.

He took the time to 'big up' Gully and Gaza fans, before singing songslike Messiah and Love My Life. After singing I Know You Want Me, he introduced his new song Delilah by saying, "this one that I'm going to do is about di money grabber dem."

Earlier in the evening, there were significantly fewer people at the event than in previous years, as quite a bit of the runway seats were empty. Nonetheless, the show eventually began at 8:30 p.m., despite being scheduled for a 7 p.m. start time, with Shaco. The line started with mostly black and white pieces but eventually there was a dash of bright colours like fusia, pink and lime green. There was also a fashion forward piece that had black and gold with matching shades.

Janoos was next and there were colours, prints, plaid and stripes. But the plus-sized collection, Pheline, had an impact with the metallic and black outfits with trendy cuts. They also went a little daring with a see through piece.

Known for their bathing suits, Mushroom started off with swimwear in bright colours like pink, green and orange. This line also had metallic pieces, as well as sequin, fur and leopard prints. The men were not left out as there were trunks in different colours and prints.

Drenna Luna had simple, sophisticated pieces that were in soft colours. There were a few high waist pants with crop jackets, as well as layered and straight, formal dresses. Hope Wade followed with coat dresses. There were also a few pieces that had white bottoms coupled with the Jamaican plaid or a leopard print. The line ended with two ball gown looking pieces with cowl necks; one that was wine red and gold and another that was white.

Despite the Rastafarian and Jamaican colours, Jahtaxtreme was not very impressive with the male and female denim and army green outfits. Mutamba, however, went for loose-fitting pieces in earth tones, animal print and colours. The line ended with some army green and brown striped pieces.