‘This is my first win’
Karlene ‘Nina’ Levy happy for SAINT’s Avant Garde Designer of the Year title
IN FASHION, the term “avant garde” connotes new and daring designs that push the boundaries of the industry and leave in their wake, inspiration. For Karlene ‘Nina’ Levy, her inspiration lays merely in the weaves of thread waiting for her to create something from them.
Last Saturday, Levy was named the victor of Saint’s Avant Garde Designer of the Year competition. Announced on the same night that the model house named their male and female Fashion Faces of the Year, the competition had Levy going up against veterans like Kadian Nicely and Andre Shirley.
Lauding the efforts of her competitors, Levy told Living, “It feels good because I’ve been doing this for a few years and this is my first win. So it’s exciting because I’ve seen all of these great designers and they create great pieces so when they win I am happy for them. They put out their effort and everybody puts out effort but it’s just what strikes the eye at that moment is what gives you the win.”
While Levy explained that she is a veteran in the competition, this is her first win.
Of the 13 entrants, Levy’s interpretation of the theme ‘Glamour is the heartbeat of the moment’ based on the Jamaica ‘62 was the only one to pull in Jamaica’s music for inspiration.
“It’s more of a dancehall, reggae, futuristic kind of vibe,” she began. “I sew but I’m not a big fan of sewing. This is what I’m good at. I love looking at the whole thread and trying to decide where I go with the whole thing and what it’s gonna produce for me in a week or two. That’s what inspires me, to see what comes out of that bunch of thread.”
Modelled by Shemonie Butler, the all-white crotchet piece is comprised of two sections: an elaborate mini-skirt and an even more elaborate top.
Though Levy is not yet sure what she will be doing with the $124,000 prize, she is very clear that this will not be her last involvement in the competition.