Cayman designer Ebanks makes big impression at fashion summit

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Caymanian designer Norma Ebanks ensured her homeland made an impression at the recent BRICS+Fashion Summit in Moscow, despite being among the smallest of the 60 countries represented.

The summit, held 3-5 Oct. at the Zaryadye Moscow Concert Hall, featured over 40 panel discussions. Ebanks, who is CEO of Cayman InStyle Fashion Week and owns a modelling agency, joined some of the biggest names in emerging global fashion markets as a panel speaker, leading conversations that included fashion industry principals, manufacturers, designers and creatives.

Among the topics covered in the panels were the changing gears of global fashion, new technologies such as AI in transforming retail and production, and the need for sustainable solutions in fashion, such as the recycling of materials and garments.

Norma Ebanks speaks on 'A Star is Born. A designer’s challenging path' panel. - Photos: Supplie...

At her session, ‘A Star is Born. A designer’s challenging path’, Ebanks shared her journey of success as a designer in Cayman, saying, “It was very hard work, and it is very hard work. I remember leaving my design school and returning home to the Cayman Islands. At the time, there wasn’t many jobs for me there. I wanted to find my niche in a dressmaking/tailoring establishment.

“During that time, I realised I needed fabric and from a small island, we don’t have a lot of fabric stores,” she said, which led her to open her own that has become one of the main such shops in Cayman.

The entrepreneur told the Cayman Compass she also had the opportunity to stress the importance of training, supporting young creatives and more collaboration.

“Looking ahead, I would love to foster greater awareness, training, and collaboration with designers and fashion week CEOs from different regions as we prepare for the Cayman Islands Fashion Week in 2025. This presents a unique opportunity to unite the global fashion community and celebrate creativity in our beautiful islands,” Ebanks said.

Her panel also explored learning in sync with the rhythm of the fashion industry, sustainable fashion and local solutions and retail transformation as well as how to create a successful footwear and accessories brand.

Other topics explored throughout the summit included cultural appropriation, usage of patterns, artefact of history, an insider’s perspective on the luxury industry, building relationships with Russian buyers, finding money to create a new fashion house, new flagships of the fashion market, fashion as a tool for cultural dialogue, specialists and skills in the fashion world, from factory to runway.

Along with conducting a masterclass workshop on pattern making and construction, Ebanks also took part in an international exhibition, ‘Heritage’, which showcased the powerful influence of national and cultural heritage of BRICS countries, as well as countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, on modern clothing design.

BRICS+ Fashion Summit International Exhibition. - Photos: Supplied

The exhibition followed Moscow Fashion Week, which showcased Ebanks’ creations including those of designers from Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa, Costa Rica and the United Arab Emirates.

“I had the pleasure of displaying my designs, [one of which] was inspired by the Cayman Islands’ flower, the banana orchid,” Ebanks said.

The summit culminated with the introduction of the BRICS International Fashion Federation, “an alliance aimed at fostering sustainability and improving efficiency within the industry,” she added.

“Leaders from fashion associations representing over 50 countries signed a memorandum to establish the BRICS International Fashion Federation. This new federation aims to create collaborative networks for fashion professionals from emerging markets, amplify diverse voices, and foster sustainable practices within the industry.”

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