What do you think?
Rate this book
MEILING: Fashion Designer
MEILING: Fashion Designer is the second in a series of books about Trinidadian women artists.
Fittingly, Meiling opens with the chapter "Let There Be Light", which recalls Raymond's visit to Meiling's studio during pre-show fittings. The author's descriptions of Meiling's pieces sparkle, with mini lessons in fashion history seamlessly woven through the narrative. Raymond's knowledge of, enthusiasm for, and research into her topic shine through the prose, yet in many cases she eschews her own conclusions in favour of a simple recolle tion of Meiling's words or those of the designer's longtime collaborators. Among these are musician Wendell Manwarren, jeweller Jasmine Thomas-Girvan, and model Wendy Fitzwilliam. Flies on the wall, we buzz into fitting rooms and through Meiling's studio, where half-naked Amazons stand, then onto the stage and back again. In addition to the comprehensive yet obvious photographs from shows and shoots, Meiling charms the reader with a treasure trove of images from the designer's personal and professional past, as well as numerous behind-the-scene shots and reproductions of ephemera. If you ever wanted to know what Meiling looked like as a baby or during her "freedom" days of the 1960s, get this book. Likewise, if you ever wondered what goes on behind the curtain, what a fitting looks like, what a marked-up contact sheet looks like, what Meiling's workspace looks like, or have wished to review her various collaborations with masman Peter Minshall. Also reproduced here are several press clips dating from the late 60s, as well as invitations to shows and fittings that also span the decades. Images are laid out on a simple grid; a neat structure is favoured.
More info about Meiling:
Very few people in the Caribbean are automatically known by their first name and Meiling (Esau) is the tour de force behind the premier fashion house, not only in Trinidad but throughout the Caribbean and South America.
Meiling is also known for designing and dressing celebrities in the region; from Miss Universe 1998 Wendy Fitzwilliam, Rapso artistes 3Canal, Soca artistes Machel Montano and David Rudder and C in Barbados. International celebrities such as celebrity chef, Wolfgang Puck wears her classic white shirts on a regular basis.
Since 1983, Meiling has worked closely with Emmy Award-winning costume designer, Peter Minshall on his Carnival productions and other artistic presentations. This collaboration has won her accolades, notably for her involvement in the opening and closing ceremonies of the1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta, She has also helped raised the bar in her work with the Miss Universe Pageant, which was held in Trinidad in 1999.
Meiling is also a recipient of the several Cacique Awards, her latest in 2012 was for costume design.
In November 2007, Robert & Christopher Publishers launched Meiling: Fashion Designer, the second book in a series on local, female artists.
Achievements:
2013
- National Icon of Trinidad & Tobago
- Invited as one of the top global designers to Women of Influence Summit
- Ocean Style Award
2012
- Meiling was honoured with the Women of Influence Award The Association of Female Executives of Trinidad & Tobago
2010
-Meiling was one of only two designers in the English-speaking Caribbean to be invited to show at Plataforma K in Colombia. This is the most prestigious fashion trade for Latin America and in 2011, she was the only one invited back
2008
- Chaconia Silver Medal for long and meritorious service to Trinidad and Tobago’s business sector
-“Grand Master of Fashion Design” award at Caribbean Fashion Week in Jamaica..
2005
- Absolut of Sweden commissioned Meiling to design uniforms for the Absolut bar at 51 Degrees, a local nightspot. This collaboration proved so successful that the company concocted an “Absolut Meiling” martini.
- Designed the Opening Ceremony uniforms for the Trinidad and Tobago team at the Commonwealth Games held in Melbourne, Australia.
Fittingly, Meiling opens with the chapter "Let There Be Light", which recalls Raymond's visit to Meiling's studio during pre-show fittings. The author's descriptions of Meiling's pieces sparkle, with mini lessons in fashion history seamlessly woven through the narrative. Raymond's knowledge of, enthusiasm for, and research into her topic shine through the prose, yet in many cases she eschews her own conclusions in favour of a simple recolle tion of Meiling's words or those of the designer's longtime collaborators. Among these are musician Wendell Manwarren, jeweller Jasmine Thomas-Girvan, and model Wendy Fitzwilliam. Flies on the wall, we buzz into fitting rooms and through Meiling's studio, where half-naked Amazons stand, then onto the stage and back again. In addition to the comprehensive yet obvious photographs from shows and shoots, Meiling charms the reader with a treasure trove of images from the designer's personal and professional past, as well as numerous behind-the-scene shots and reproductions of ephemera. If you ever wanted to know what Meiling looked like as a baby or during her "freedom" days of the 1960s, get this book. Likewise, if you ever wondered what goes on behind the curtain, what a fitting looks like, what a marked-up contact sheet looks like, what Meiling's workspace looks like, or have wished to review her various collaborations with masman Peter Minshall. Also reproduced here are several press clips dating from the late 60s, as well as invitations to shows and fittings that also span the decades. Images are laid out on a simple grid; a neat structure is favoured.
More info about Meiling:
Very few people in the Caribbean are automatically known by their first name and Meiling (Esau) is the tour de force behind the premier fashion house, not only in Trinidad but throughout the Caribbean and South America.
Meiling is also known for designing and dressing celebrities in the region; from Miss Universe 1998 Wendy Fitzwilliam, Rapso artistes 3Canal, Soca artistes Machel Montano and David Rudder and C in Barbados. International celebrities such as celebrity chef, Wolfgang Puck wears her classic white shirts on a regular basis.
Since 1983, Meiling has worked closely with Emmy Award-winning costume designer, Peter Minshall on his Carnival productions and other artistic presentations. This collaboration has won her accolades, notably for her involvement in the opening and closing ceremonies of the1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta, She has also helped raised the bar in her work with the Miss Universe Pageant, which was held in Trinidad in 1999.
Meiling is also a recipient of the several Cacique Awards, her latest in 2012 was for costume design.
In November 2007, Robert & Christopher Publishers launched Meiling: Fashion Designer, the second book in a series on local, female artists.
Achievements:
2013
- National Icon of Trinidad & Tobago
- Invited as one of the top global designers to Women of Influence Summit
- Ocean Style Award
2012
- Meiling was honoured with the Women of Influence Award The Association of Female Executives of Trinidad & Tobago
2010
-Meiling was one of only two designers in the English-speaking Caribbean to be invited to show at Plataforma K in Colombia. This is the most prestigious fashion trade for Latin America and in 2011, she was the only one invited back
2008
- Chaconia Silver Medal for long and meritorious service to Trinidad and Tobago’s business sector
-“Grand Master of Fashion Design” award at Caribbean Fashion Week in Jamaica..
2005
- Absolut of Sweden commissioned Meiling to design uniforms for the Absolut bar at 51 Degrees, a local nightspot. This collaboration proved so successful that the company concocted an “Absolut Meiling” martini.
- Designed the Opening Ceremony uniforms for the Trinidad and Tobago team at the Commonwealth Games held in Melbourne, Australia.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
6 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
No one has reviewed this book yet.