BAVINA SOOKDEO
Trinidad and Tobago's Shane Ramnarine is making a significant impact on the international fashion stage with his brand, 11 Threads Roma.
Ramnarine, originally from Marabella, had his designs featured during New York Fashion Week which was held September 7-13. He presented at Sony Hall, 235 W 46th Street, Manhattan, New York, NY, on the opening night of Runway 7 Spring/Summer 2024 Collections showings on September 7..
His collection embodied sophistication, edginess, and a distinct Caribbean/Trinidadian flair with its vibrant colours, tropical prints, and playful accessories.
While he always loved fashion, Ramnarine’s fascination with the industry deepened when he relocated to Miami in early 2020 due to his job with a sugar trading company. He now manages its Caribbean operations.
In Miami, a city he says is known as the fashion capital of swimsuits, he was determined to expand his fashion skills and eagerly learned to sew.
“This new-found knowledge combined with my background in (Trinidad) Carnival design propelled me towards creating swimwear collections that perfectly captured the essence of the beach, sun, and luxury,” he told Newsday in a phone interview.
He poured his heart and soul into crafting a swim and resort wear collection that would turn heads and make a lasting impression. This dedication led to his debut at NY Fashion Week, where he showcased swim and resort wear as well as Carnival costumes. Appearing at NYFW, was the fulfilment of a dream.
“As a creative soul with a passion for fashion, attending this prestigious event has been a dream come true for me.
[caption id="attachment_1037586" align="alignnone" width="719"] Stephanie shows off one of the resort looks from Shane Ramnarine's 11 Threads Roma brand. -[/caption]
“Stepping into the world of NYFW was an experience beyond words. The atmosphere was electric, buzzing with excitement and anticipation. Everywhere I turned, I found myself surrounded by fashion icons, designers, models, and influencers who shared the same passion for the art of style. It was awe-inspiring to witness the creativity and innovation that unfolded on the runways. Each designer’s unique perspective showcased a kaleidoscope of colours, textures, and silhouettes. I couldn't help but feel humbled and motivated to showcase my own collection, eager to contribute my creative voice to the vibrant fashion landscape.”
Ramnarine designed his first piece six years ago for Caribana in Toronto, an event, he says, that is close to his heart. He went on to design carnival events in Trinidad, Jamaica, and St Lucia.
[caption id="attachment_1037583" align="alignnone" width="687"] Leila closes the 11 Threads Roma presentation with one of the Carnival designs. -[/caption]
When the time came for him to present at NYFW he was both excited and nervous.
"A wave of nervous anticipation washed over me. Would my designs be well-received? Would they resonate with the audience? These questions swirled in my mind, but I knew that my dedication and passion would
