The Origins: Guyana Fashion Festival 2026 took place over the weekend in Georgetown, marking a significant event in the celebration of Guyana’s 60th Independence Diamond Jubilee. The festival was themed “A Diamond Legacy: Fashioning 60 Years” and featured a variety of activities aimed at showcasing local and international fashion talent.
The three-day event attracted a large audience, including international investors, local retail leaders, and artisans, all contributing to a vibrant atmosphere of creativity and style. The festival included high-fashion runway presentations, technical workshops, panel discussions, and interactive showcases aimed at engaging the diaspora.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, officially opened the runway events on Friday evening. She emphasized the importance of the festival in building a sustainable fashion industry in Guyana, stating, “Origins is far more than a simple seasonal event; it is about systematically building, fashioning, and growing Guyana’s fashion industry while providing a permanent platform for our creatives.” Rodrigues also highlighted the government’s investment in the country’s “Orange Economy,” which aims to create long-term job opportunities for young professionals in creative fields.
The festival received support from various sectors, including high-level state representatives such as First Lady Arya Ali and Second Lady Mignon Bowen-Phillips. ExxonMobil Guyana served as the primary corporate sponsor, promoting economic diversification beyond the oil sector. Nakisha Burns, the Public and Government Affairs Manager at ExxonMobil Guyana, expressed pride in supporting the festival, noting its role in fostering an alternative economy.
First Lady Arya Ali expressed optimism about the festival’s potential to enhance the visibility of local models and designers on an international scale. She remarked on the importance of showcasing Guyanese creativity and the future of the fashion industry.
In addition to the runway shows, the festival featured a Fashion Marketplace where attendees could purchase garments, accessories, and art directly from local entrepreneurs, highlighting the potential of Guyana’s creative sector to contribute to national development.
Source: hgptv.com
