International Model Coach Alva L. Page, seen here working with local models for Summer Sizzle BVI back in 2014, explained that patrons can expect a lot of energy from the models and a lot of local designers at Summer Sizzle BVI 2017. Photo: VINO/File

Patrons can expect a lot of energy from the models at this year's Summer Sizzle BVI. Photo: Summer Sizzle BVI

The annual event is spearheaded by Terry T. Donovan, Summer Sizzle BVI founder and will kick off on Thursday, July 20, 2017 and runs through Sunday, July 23, 2017 at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Road Town. Photo: Provided

Roger Gary, Designer, stated that he has been participating in Summer Sizzle BVI for about 20 years as well as assisting with production. He also noted that his swimwear collection, Aqua Couture was inspired by a dream that gave birth to a Southeast Asia collection. Photo: Facebook

The annual event is spearheaded by Mr Terry T. Donovan, Summer Sizzle BVI founder, and will kick off on Thursday, July 20, 2017 and runs through to Sunday, July 23, 2017 at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Road Town.

The show will feature designers such as Aqua Couture by Roger Gary, Nikini Resortwear and local designers: The Islander by Andrea Wilson and Duo Collection by Nadia Winter and Natalya Thomas.

Expect lots of energy- Page

In an exclusive interview with Virgin Islands News Online, International Model Coach, Alva L. Page explained that patrons can expect a lot of energy from the models.

“A lot of the local models will strut the catwalk just like professional models because I am their runway coach. You can expect beautiful collections from local designers, emerging designers as well as some of our international designers. You will get to see a lot of colour, what to wear for swimwear and resort wear.”

Mr page, who is no stranger to Summer Sizzle BVI, further stated that the preparation for the 2017 Summer Sizzle BVI has been a very easy task for him because he has worked with some of the Virgin Islands models on previous shows and the new model were quick learners.

“They really caught on to the training and the lessons. They attended practice and the models were very punctual and on time and they were serious. So, whenever you have a model that is serious about getting the teaching, it makes my job easier. The attitudes are there. The confidence is there and people from the Virgin Islands are really in for a treat,” said Mr Page.

Meet Roger Gary

Virgin Islands News Online also caught up with Roger Gary, a Guyanese Designer, who stated that he has been participating in fashion shows for some 20 years as well as assisting with production. He noted that his swimwear collection, Aqua Couture was inspired by a dream that gave birth to a Southeast Asia collection.

“I had a dream one night that I was on a beautiful beach some place texting my friends and I’m saying hi guys I’m in Phuket. I woke up and I was like Phuket and it never really registered where Phuket was, so I went and I googled it and it was in Thailand. I dreamt about it twice, so I had to go to Phuket.”

Mr Gary points out that he prays that he does not “become jaded about being in the industry” adding that he does not want to get “burnt out”.

To date his collections have been showcased at numerous prestigious events worldwide, including during New York Fashion Week, Brooklyn Fashion Week End, Caribbean Fashion Week, Style Week Jamaica, Barbados Fashion Week, St. Kitt’s Fashion Week, Virgin Islands Fashion Week, Summer Sizzle BVI, Guyana Fashion Xpo, The International Designer’s Show, Cayman Island Fashion Week and Kingston Bridal Week.

Mr Gary was presented with the Caribbean Style and Culture Award in 2011 for his contribution to the Caribbean Fashion Industry.

He disclosed to Virgin Islands News Online that he enjoys the work that he does. “I don’t think I could live a proper life without being able to design. It was a part of what my hobby was made up of as a child and probably even before I was born. I was meant to do this and I embrace and love it.”

“I got teased a lot about it because when I was a little kid, there were not many male designers, so at that time, it was seen as a female occupation but I was a very confident kid and it didn’t really bother me,” said Mr Gary.