We’ve been huge fans and supporters of Roger Alexis’ “Santana” shorts so as soon as we found out the badbwoy Trini puppet and viral video sensation was getting his own full-on feature film, we knew we wanted to be involved in some way. We’re excited to announce that Flatbush Film Festival organizers CariBBeing will be bringing I’m Santana to New York for its U.S. debut this month. LargeUp is the official media sponsor for the screenings, which will be held at the Rerun Theater in Dumbo, Brooklyn, on April 17 (9 p.m.) and 18 (6 and 7:45 p.m.); Pulse 48 (formerly CPAC) in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, on April 19 (6:30 p.m.) and 20 (7 and 8:45 p.m.); and the Maysles Cinema in Harlem, on Sunday April 22 (3:30 and 5 p.m.). Get your tickets here and stay tuned for more details here on LargeUp, and on CariBBeing’s Facebook. In the meantime, keep yourself occupied with the trailer and our interview with creator Roger Alexis!
PRECISION PRODUCTIONS established and run by KASEY PHILLIPS and NIKHOLAI GREENE , TRINIDADIAN born production duo aged 24 and 25.Antilles Riddim
MUSICAL RESUME: PRODUCING, MIXING, MASTERING for MORE THAN 10 YEARS... PRODUCING A WIDE RANGE OF GENRES LIKE SOCA, REGGAETON, HIP-HOP, RAP , R&B & REGGAE.
*Nikholai Greene, after just one year of training with Kasey Phillips was able to produce the very successful TearDrops Riddim and Mista Vybe's - Up [Remix].
Having just completed the audio engineering course at IAR (Institute Of Audio Research, www.audioschool.com) in Manhattan, New York, he is currently working with hip hop artistes in Brooklyn, as a producer and engineer.
*Kasey "KC" Phillips son of legendary producer, guitarist and engineer Mr. Kenny Phillips of Trinidad and Tobago has been producing & engineering since the age of 12 years after practically growing up and living in his Dad's music studio from infancy.
He currently works with most of the top Soca artistes of Trinidad & Tobago , producing, mixing, mastering & engineering.
Has your win sunk in yet?
It's getting there. For Trinidad, where I'm from, this has been the equivalent of the World Cup. One of the first congratulatory e-mails I got was from the prime minister saying what it means not just for the country, but for the entire Caribbean region.
Last year, Gretchen Jones was blasted for winning over fan favorite Mondo. What reactions have you seen?
Ninety-five percent of the comments out there are positive, with that small dissent of, "Well, Viktor [Luna] was a great tailor," or that I didn't show enough range in my collection. And I one hundred percent agree with all that. But the reality is, I can't sew that range yet. It's not that I can't design it, but I wasn't going to try to sew things I knew I couldn't pull off on my own. So I went with my strengths.
You didn't have any finished garments to show Tim Gunn during your home visit. What on earth were you doing during those five weeks?
I landed in Trinidad and was completely overwhelmed. Suddenly, the entire country knew I was on Project Runway, and there was so much anticipation. We're a country of only a million people, so it sat very heavily on my shoulders that everyone expected me to do well. It really got to me.
In September, Anya Ayoung-Chee sent her island-chic collection down the catwalk to garner a from-behind win. Here, the season nine champ talks about procrastination, sewing skills, and the legend of "Reggae Jesus."
So you suffered the designer's equivalent of writer's block?
Absolutely! I'd blast music trying to inspire myself; I'd drape fabric on the form and rip it off; I'd go up to the roof to have a beer or wine, and then back down again. Nothing was working.
Was Tim's visit a reality check?
Yes. He wisely told me to lock myself in a room, ditch the sketches, and start making clothes. In the end, I came to New York with 10 pieces — I didn't love them, but at least I had them.
Were you the kid who started her book report an hour before it was due?
[laughs] Oh, yes. I come from a last-minute culture, but I'm not going to pat myself on the back for that. It became such a workroom joke — when people needed to redo a dress last-minute, they'd say, "I have to pull an Anya."
Halfway through the season finale, were you convinced that you had lost the competition?
At that point, I ranked myself in last place. I felt so dejected because it wasn't my best work. There was no question Viktor's collection was strong; I really thought he would win.
Do you think that you would have won without that extra $500 at Mood?
No. I made four brand-new looks in a day — 40 percent of the collection.
A lot of people don't believe that you learned to sew just months earlier.
That's a roundabout compliment because that means I did it well. But I really did start sewing lessons in the four months leading up to the show.
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Inspired by the eclectic landscape of the Caribbean, Kaj Designs reflects an appreciation of the indigenous with contemporary boldness and unabashed sensuality.
In Kaj clothing and accessories, nature’s simple beauty mixes with a modern attitude of individualism and high personal style. Lines are daring, embellishments are chunky, and raw fabrics are touchable, all in rich vibrant hues.
The Kaj concept channels the dynamism of diverse cultures into classy, avant-garde designs that speak of confidence, self-respect and independence.
Launched in 2005 by self-taught designer, Kevin Ayoung-Julien, as a boutique operation producing custom-made one-of-a-kind pieces, Kaj Designs debuted its premiere collection, Chachalaca, another name for Tobago’s native bird, the Cocrico. Trademark pieces were featured at the 2005 Caribbean Fashionweek (CFW) in Jamaica and the 2005 Caribbean Fashion Rhythms in Barbados.
Other collections have included Eccensual: Shake Well & Stir and WILD THINGS which debuted at the 2007 CFW and the 2008 Fashion Week Trinidad & Tobago (FWTT) respectively. The label’s couture swimwear featured at the 2007 Miss World pageant as Grenada’s representative, Vivian Burkhardt, sought out Kaj’s work to complete her wardrobe.
As Creative Director of Kaj Designs, Kevin’s steely determination, meticulous nature and commitment to the highest of standards, have allowed him to carve a niche in both the local and regional fashion markets. The designer is driven to create. He exists to do so. It is his passion. He is the man behind the line of clothing and accessories embodying his appreciation for Caribbean culture and its diverse heritage, "I'm inspired by the Caribbean woman's innate expression of confidence and flair. Such expression lends true beauty to the colorful diversity of our landscape and provides much for inspiration."
In an effort to ensure the long-term viability and growth of his company, Kevin expanded his team to include his friend, publicist and business consultant, Liza Miller, as General Manager. With her signature style and as a leading marketing consultant for the Caribbean’s creative industries through her own firm Estuary Public Relations, Liza brings a plethora of marketing, PR, administrative, organisational and managerial skills to the label.
Equipped with a deliberate approach; a refocused vision; consolidated operations; and a diversified portfolio including promotional design conceptualisation, styling and resort wear, Kaj Designs is poised to become a local and regional leader in the design and production of avant-garde couture garments.
Kaj Designs
35 Friends Field Road, Scarborough
Trinidad & Tobago
(868) 761.1195
info@kajdesigns.net
