KajFAB models strike a pose in front of the Kaj Flagship Boutique. From left to right: Fertility tank dress; long sleeved evening dress; silk kaftan; and maxi dress with ring accent. Photo courtesy Kyle Keens-Dumas of Konsortium Studios. Makeup Makeup by Lyndy-Anne Parks of Gloss Productions.
Tobago’s Premier Fashion House Establishes Its First Branded Retail Space
On Saturday April 26, 2014, Kaj Designs opened its doors to the Kaj Flagship Boutique at the Buccoo Integrated Facility located at Buccoo Point in Tobago. Tobago’s foremost fashion house marked the momentous occasion with a private function for media and specially invited guests that was held during the high-profile Tobago Jazz Experience weekend.
View of the interior of the Kaj Flagship Boutique where the Koko Karibi Designs line of jewellery and accessories is now available.
In his address to long standing clients, friends, members of the management committee of the Buccoo Integrated Facility and media including Caribbean Runway Magazine, Metro Magazine, the Trinidad Guardian, the Tobago News and Synergy TV, Kaj’s President and Creative Director, Kevin Ayoung-Julien reflected, “We’ve had, and continue to have severe challenges in carving our brand’s image, but by your contributions the world continues to know us. Kaj Designs is a reflection of me; the brand represents a symbol of integrity, authenticity, passion, resilience, and unwavering tenacity, but most importantly a reflection of our team and everyone gathered here.”
One of the highlights of the programme at the recent boutique launch was The KajFAB Anthology, which presented the evolution of the Kaj aesthetic showcasing select pieces from Kaj collections dating from 2007 to present. Guests were treated to show-stopping pieces from the collection, Eccensual, which made its runway debut at the 2007 Caribbean Fashionweek (CFW). Eccentric combinations of wild animal prints followed with the 2008 collection, WILD THINGS, which was first seen at the inaugural Fashion Week Trinidad and Tobago (FWTT). Next up was the penultimate collection with the vibrant pieces of Kaj’s first resort offering from 2010, Shore Culture. The presentation closed with the luxuriously simple designs of the current Kaj Resort 2014 collection, Tribu Sauvage.
A proud moment as Kaj’s President and Creative Director, Kevin Ayoung-Julien (fourth from the left), and the brand’s CEO, Liza Miller (third from the left), cut the ribbon officially launching the Kaj Flagship Boutique.
The store officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony and trunk show featuring limited edition pieces of Trinidad and Tobago’s leading jewellery and accessories brand, Koko Karibi Designs. With a minimalist design aesthetic, Koko Karibi offers modern contemporary creations in an array of precious and plated metals accented by precious and semi-precious gemstones and natural elements including shells and bone. “There is a natural synergy between Kaj and Koko Karibi Designs that hinges on a similar aesthetic approach. We are pleased to now be one of Koko Karibi’s stockists and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship,” disclosed Kaj’s CEO, Liza Miller. Additionally, tourists visiting Tobago, fashion enthusiasts and KajFABfemmes can look forward to the extended Kaj Safari Sale offering a storewide 40% off the entire Tribu Sauvage collection.
Eager shoppers view what the Kaj Flagship Boutique has to offer.
The brand welcomes this new chapter gratefully as it maintains a strategic focus on growth. Despite operating under severe constraints imposed by limited resources, Kaj is poised to be the region’s foremost source of exquisite clothing and accessories with the finest raw materials, an impeccable finish and a distinctive flair for detail and texture. In 2013, Kaj blazed a trail as the first Caribbean brand to exhibit and show at BLUEPRINT during Singapore’s fashion week, Asia Fashion Exchange (AFX). That year, it was also the first of its counterparts to show at the exclusive Fashion Festival in Bali’s celebrated Legian region. With a continued objective to gain an international market share, last month the fashion house launched its resort line at a London-based online boutique, Global Runway.On the horizon, it eagerly looks to incite the catwalk at Color Revolution from May 29 to June 1, 2014 in St. Maarten. Visit Kaj on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kajdesignslive or on Twitter and Instagram @kajdesignsLIVE to stay in the KajFAB know. For more information email info@kajdesigns.net or call (868) 639-6KAJ(6525).
WHAT: Kaj Flagship Boutique
WHO: Kaj Designs
WHERE: Buccoo Integrated Facility, Buccoo Point, Tobago
HOURS:
Thursdays to Saturdays 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sundays 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Outside of store hours, email info@kajdesigns.net or call (868) 639-6KAJ(6525) (please leave a voice message) to book an appointment.
All photos courtesy Kyle Keens-Dumas of Konsortium Studios for Kaj Designs.
Makeup by Lyndy-Anne Parks of Gloss Productions.
Distressed denim bodice and chiffon skirt from the 2007 Kaj Couture collection, Eccensual. Makeup by Lyndy-Anne Parks of Gloss Productions.
Collared snake peplum top and skirt from the 2008 Kaj Couture collection, WILD THINGS.
Collared chiffon safari print lounge dress from the 2008 Kaj Couture collection, WILD THINGS. Makeup by Lyndy-Anne Parks of Gloss Productions.
Folded envelope tunic and Bermuda shorts from the 2010 Kaj Resort collection, Shore Culture.
Strapless Bohemian lounge dress with wooden beaded fabric accents from the 2010 Kaj Resort collection, Shore Culture.
Fertility tank dress from the 2014 Kaj Resort collection, Tribu Sauvage.
Silk kaftan from the 2014 Kaj Resort collection, Tribu Sauavge.