Celebrating Designers
of Belize
By Alanna Fairey
Commonwealth Fashion Content Editor
While Belize does not have a manufacturing facility, Belizean designers are making an impact in the industry.
“The fashion industry in Belize is not as big compared to our neighbors, and certainly not as big as other commonwealth countries, but I would say we are growing and maturing in positive ways,” Kim Simplis Barrow, activist and philanthropist, former first lady of Belize and board member for The Commonwealth Fashion Council (CFC), said in an interview with The Commonwealth Fashion Council. “We have a number of emerging Designers who do great designs.”
Adds Simplis Barrow: “Fashion is part of the Arts which plays a crucial role at the centre of science, technology, engineering and mathematics; moving STEM into STEAM fosters creativity, innovation, and economic growth. Fashion is a billion-dollar business –– it certainly has the potential to contribute to Belize’s economy.”
The Challenge
One of the challenges that Belizean designers face, according to Simplis Barrow is that designers need retailers, to find a way to attract great talents in branding and marketing, as well as making contact with manufacturers on a larger scale to satisfy the demand.
“Local fashion event organizers also need to lift their standards to an international level.
The fashion world is a chain of stakeholders that must work in-sync,” Simplis Barrow says.
Adds Simplis Barrow: “It’s definitely not a one man –– or woman –– show.”
Ronelli Requena is the founder and fashion designer of Zayvha Saraia, a fashion brand that focuses on custom bridal and event dresses. While having been in business for six years, Requena shares that she recently discovered a new passion for fashion consulting.
Requena is also the product designer for Xe’il Belize, a clothing brand that fuses traditional Maya embroidery and weaving with modern fashion.
In addition to leading her own brand, Requena had also been collaborating with Kichpan Kananten Women’s group to develop an incubator that will be able to redefine the Belizean fashion industry by providing services for production outsourcing and product enhancement for designers and artisans.
“I believe that the designers and artisans in Belize have a lot to offer to the world, with the right resources and opportunities we will be able to fine-tune our products and expose ourselves to new markets,” Requena explains.
“One of my end goals is to gain as much knowledge in the business aspect of my work where I can make people that aspire to be in the industry that will get there,” Requena says of her future aspirations to bring awareness and recognition to Belizean designers.
Simplis Barrow recognizes that Belize has not yet reached international recognition for their fashion designers. However, Simplis Barrow has a message of hope, which is evident when she says, “I believe Belize has potential for growth.”
