Photos: African Rhythm Fashion Extravaganza

May 22, 2016

The Black Collective [Celebrating Our Unique Culture], a group of five women, staged the first ever African Rhythm Black Expo and Fashion Show Extravaganza at the Pembroke Community Club on Saturday [May 21].

Models for the fashion show included Shoshana Williams, Damarion Stewart, Tianna DeSilva, Shatonae DeSilva [daughter of Tiona], Ebony Lightbourne, Lee Lambert, Justin Binns, Ashanti Caesar [Princess Black] and Kole Gibbons.

The hair stylist for the models was Shani Clarke while make up was done by Takeira Trott, and Mistress of Ceremony for the event was Leolla Stovell. Entertainment through the evening included a dance solo by Zen Joseph, a performance by an African Dance Troupe and a musical selection by Lloyd Williams playing the flute.

The event was held under the distinguished patronage of Dr. Leonard Teye-Botchway, Honorary Consul of Ghana in Bermuda. All of the fashions that were modeled have been crafted in Ghana and designed by Bermudian Lynelle Furbert, who also has a home in Ghana.

The group previously said, “The genesis of The Black Collective originated from a book sale that was organized by Peggy Burns, Maxine Esdaille and LaVerne Furbert on December 12, 2015 which we called ‘Selling Our Stories’. The book sale was such a success that we thought that we should do more, as a group, to promote our unique African culture to Bermudians.

“Initially we talked about having an event where Blacks could not only share their stories, but also their art and it evolved into the Black Expo and Fashion Show. Later on Lynelle Furbert and Ashanti Caesar joined us.”

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