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Shakad Designs takes on a life of its own

As we continue to celebrate women this month, the National Cultural Foundation is highlighting the journey and work of artist and designer Shanika Burnett in the final of this two-part feature. We first featured her mum Ayissa Burnett who is also an artist and designer.

Young Shanika Burnett has always been interested in many areas of the cultural industries and has been active part of it for the past 23 years.

Primarily, she is best known in the fashion industry through her design label, Shakad Designs. Her creations include both formal and ready-to-wear clothing as well as accessories with a creative style which meshes both traditional and contemporary elements.

Initially, she began designing around the time of her secondary school graduation in 2004 while trying to find fabrics for her dress. She had the desire for something unique and African print was not as easily available then as it is in current times. Therefore, she came to the conclusion that she would need to create the fabrics to have the aesthetic she wanted.

The artist got more serious about designing while attending the University of the West Indies in 2008. That year, Burnett had the opportunity to create for Caribbean Fashion Week and this is when everything took off for her. Her brand officially launched just a few weeks earlier at the Barbados Manufacturers’ Exhibition (BMEX).

Her design inspirations have been heavily credited to her everyday surroundings. Typically, the colour schemes used are the direct influences of the colours, nature and vibrancy present in the Caribbean.

“My brand Shakad is mainly built on Caribbean sophistication and trying to illustrate the opulence of the Caribbean through the use of the colours and the handmade textiles which my mother creates,” she said.

Burnett explained the extent to which her environment plays a crucial part by highlighting a collection she created around the time of the ash fall incident in 2021 that would have occurred during the pandemic.

“My palette completely shifted… it was a complete divergence from what I am accustomed doing so I guess that even showed me how influenced I am by my surroundings,” she stated.

Another important source of inspiration is her upbringing. Coming from a supportive family of creatives, she is the daughter of Ayissa Burnett, the textile and fibre artist behind the creations of Ayissa Textile Designs with whom she often collaborates.

Recently, they participated in the NCF’s Wearable Art Exhibition.

“I grew up in a Rastafari family. We would have been very big on ethical practices and being ecofriendly, using natural materials, utilising the things that are around you, so that would have inspired a lot of my work as well. My father is a calabash artist…my mum is a textile artist… I try to utilise elements of their work in my accessories and some of the smaller pieces I do as well,” she explained.

Burnett has done numerous projects through the NCF. These include the Barbados Networking Consultation Conference Creative Industries Showcase, Carifesta XIII, Caribbean Style and Culture and as previously mentioned, the NCF Wearable Art Exhibition. Additionally, she has worked with the NCF during National Independence Festival of Creative Arts andthe Crop Over season.

“Throughout my career, I can say that the NCF has been very supportive,” she stated.

Additionally, the designer was a recipient of the NCF’s COVID Grant. In 2020, she won the Award of Excellence in Fashion Design from Karib Nations’ Caribbean Style and Culture Awards and Fashion Showcase.

Due to the pandemic, the event was held virtually and she was required to produce a video of her collection for the presentation. The funding allowed her to carry out the necessary production. She found it very helpful and motivating during that time as COVID had left a lot feelings of uncertainty especially for creatives.

She expressed her appreciation to the business development officers at NCF who assisted her at the time.

“I was able to put together the team in a relatively short space of time. I must say that Ramona and… Andre…everybody really came through and pushed to make it happen in the time that I needed it because it was kind of a quick turnaround.”

Furthermore, she added that the NCF has been a good place to turn to as a creative as other places had not seen creative work and businesses as viable.

“Definitely, if something is happening, there is someone in the NCF we can reach out to, to at least point us in a direction… I must commend them for the consistency over the years and I can definitely see that as an institution they keep up with the times. I can see the Instagram and the social media so I appreciate that.”

For the future, Burnett hopes that she can produce her products on a larger scale and push Shakad Designs and Ayissa Textiles to a wider platform. Also, she wants to retain the Barbadian culture and keep it alive through her works. You can find Shakad Designs on Instagram at shakadecolifestyle. (PR)

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Remembrance Day Parade On November 10, 2024

Barbados will remember the servicepeople who lost their lives during World Wars I and II, with the customary Remembrance Day Parade and a short inter-denominational service at the Cenotaph, National Heroes Square, The City, on Sunday, November 10.

The parade will commence at 8:00 a.m. and will be broadcast live on national television and radio.

Several armed and unarmed uniformed groups will be on parade, including the Barbados Defence Force, The Barbados Police Service, the Barbados Legion, the Barbados Fire Service, the Barbados Prison Service, the Boy Scouts, and Girl Guides.

Wreaths will be laid at the Cenotaph by the President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason; Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Chief Justice Leslie Haynes, members of the diplomatic corps, and other dignitaries.

The service will be followed by an informal inspection of veterans and a march-past by uniformed groups. Members of the public desirous of attending the event are asked to collect tickets from the receptionist at Government Headquarters, Bay Street, St. Michael, from Monday, November 4, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

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Key Reminders When Considering Investment Opportunities

The Financial Services Commission (FSC) is reminding the public to exercise caution when considering investments in Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) schemes. While MLMs may present themselves as legitimate business opportunities, some can be risky or even illegal, leading to significant financial losses.

Here are some key things to consider before making any investments:

1. Research the Company/Person(s): Thoroughly investigate the background, business model, and reputation of any of the company or persons involved. Verify whether the company or persons associated with the investment are registered and regulated by relevant authorities like the Financial Services Commission.

2. Understand the Business Model: Genuine businesses generate revenue primarily through the sale of products or services, not recruitment of participants. Be wary of models that emphasise recruitment over product sales.

3. Check for Red Flags: Promises of high returns with little effort, emphasis on recruiting others, or pressure to make large upfront investments are warning signs.

4. Consult with Experts: Seek advice based on your financial goals and wherewithal from regulated individuals or companies set up to provide such guidance.

The public is urged to approach all investment opportunities with caution and conduct their due diligence to safeguard their financial well-being.

It is an offence for persons not registered or licensed with the Commission to offer investment advice, sell financial products or deal in securities.

The public is encouraged to notify the Commission of any situations where entities or individuals engage in these practices without being duly registered and/or licensed. (PR/GIS)

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Barbadians Continue To Benefit From UNESCO Training In Cuba

Barbadians continue to benefit from UNESCO training courses in Cuba, despite the country experiencing an island-wide blackout from Friday, October 18.

Three Barbadians are currently in Cuba participating in the Caribbean Cultural Training Hub of the UNESCO Programme Transcultura: Integrating Cuba, the Caribbean and the European Union through Culture and Creativity, which was organised by the UNESCO Regional Office in Havana, and funded by the European Union.

Historian and Genealogical Researcher, Stacia Martindale, is participating in the course Designing Small Businesses in Heritage Tourism Destinations, while Landscape Architectural Technician, Kodi Husbands, and Assistant Coordinator and Researcher of the Barbados National Register of Historic Places, Rhianna Smith, are participating in the course Introduction to the Management of Integrated Development of Historic Centers.

They shared their experiences of being in Cuba and about the courses they are studying.

Ms. Martindale said: “So far, the experience has been very amazing. I’ve been loving the culture of Cuba and the general experience in class.

It’s really been exciting for me. It’s my first time in Cuba. I think I know quite a bit about Cuba just because I’m really interested in History. I’m actually a History teacher, so to come here, where that history has happened, is really, really exciting for me.”

Mr. Husbands, who is on his second visit to Cuba, shared that the first time he visited was on a vacation. “It really resonated with me. I got to understand the culture a lot more [and] I was able to identify with the people after speaking to them about their experiences and how they live. That’s what inspired me to continue working in sustainable architecture and design, and cater for society and the people, rather than doing it for money.

“So far, I’ve found different methods or techniques and practices which can be useful for back home in my field of architecture. And different ways I can further develop my country, whether it’s towns like Bridgetown, Speightstown, or Oistins. Or even smaller communities like in the East Coast, or in St. George or more rural areas as well,” he remarked.

It is also the second time for Ms. Smith, who previously benefitted from a course in June, this year, at the prestigious International Film and Television School of San Antonio de Los Baños, on the outskirts of Havana.

“This experience has been a lot different compared to when I was in San Antonio. Havana is a lot more active and has a lot more to see. And so, I’ve been able to immerse in the culture in ways that I was not able to the first time around,” Ms. Smith said.

She added: “We have been having some tours where we have been seeing examples of not only the restoration of historic sites and buildings, but also the repurposing of those buildings for uses that really fit the community. For instance, earlier this week we visited a daycare. But it was a day care for the elderly which doubles as a day care for babies, and so on.

“And so, what they are trying to do is to integrate those two generations and, of course, develop a consciousness of caring for the elderly. Things like that have led me to conclude that it’s been nothing short of inspiring so far, and I’m just looking forward to seeing where things go.” (PR/GIS)

Caption: From left to right – Rhianna Smith, Barbados’ Ambassador to Cuba, Dr. Sharon Marshall; UNESCO Director Anne Lemaistre; Stacia Martindale; and Kodi Husbands pose for a photograph