Accessories After The Fact

Caribbean designers are creating beautiful jewellery, scarves, bags and belts from indigenous materials. An exclusive photo feature by Sean Drakes

By Caribbean Beat | Issue 13 (Spring 1995)

Hand-painted leather earrings in floral design by Leah Gordon (inset). Hand-painted earring and brooch sets by Patrice Stollmeyer (main photo). Photographs by Sean Drakes
Hand-painted leather earrings in floral design by Leah Gordon. Photograph by Sean Drakes
Sterling silver earrinqs with figure motif on a sterling silver chain with turquoise stones by Michele Lopez. Beach wrap by Karina Howard Perez. Photograph by Sean Drakes
Copper and brass necklace, arm-band and ear-ring set with flamingo motif by Christopher Anderson. Loungette by Island Casuals. Photograph by Sean Drakes
Hand-painted earring and brooch sets by Patrice Stollmeyer. Photograph by Sean Drakes
Sterling silver necklace with hematite stones and cylinders and African mask pendant by Michele Lopez: Body wrap by Karina Howard-Perez. Photograph by Sean Drakes
Ivory and metallic leather and kidskin belts by Heriene Tyson. Photograph by Sean Drakes
Hand-carved copper earrings, with African mask and steel pan motifs by Kenneth Forde. Photograph by Sean Drakes
Banana woven accessories by Deserie Guy Jones - hat, purse, hand-bag - with hand-painted blue-and-white silk scarf by Karina Howard-Perez and hand-painted silk- scarf by Anna Serrao. Photograph by Sean Drakes
Seashell and leather necklace by Christopher Sheppard, with jacket by Greer Jones and black bikini swimsuit by Island Casuals. Photograph by Sean Drakes
Leather Ruk-Sak by Galt, with hand-painted cotton scarf by Karina Howard-Perez and donkey-eye earrinqs with ixora stem by Branker. Jumper by Greer Jones. Photograph by Sean Drakes
Copper earrings by Morgan, with hand-dyed calabash earrings by Banfield. Photograph by Sean Drakes
olive green cowhide belt and brown suede leather belts by Herlene Tyson. Photograph by Sean Drakes
Leather shirt cuffs with antique coin by Galt. Photograph by Sean Drakes
Sterling silver rings with vine scroll by Michelle Lopez. Photograph by Sean Drakes

Hand-painted leather earrings in floral design by Leah Gordon (inset). Hand-painted earring and brooch sets by Patrice Stollmeyer (main photo). Photographs by Sean Drakes

Hand-painted leather earrings in floral design by Leah Gordon. Photograph by Sean Drakes

Sterling silver earrinqs with figure motif on a sterling silver chain with turquoise stones by Michele Lopez. Beach wrap by Karina Howard Perez. Photograph by Sean Drakes

Copper and brass necklace, arm-band and ear-ring set with flamingo motif by Christopher Anderson. Loungette by Island Casuals. Photograph by Sean Drakes

Hand-painted earring and brooch sets by Patrice Stollmeyer. Photograph by Sean Drakes

Sterling silver necklace with hematite stones and cylinders and African mask pendant by Michele Lopez: Body wrap by Karina Howard-Perez. Photograph by Sean Drakes

Ivory and metallic leather and kidskin belts by Heriene Tyson. Photograph by Sean Drakes

Hand-carved copper earrings, with African mask and steel pan motifs by Kenneth Forde. Photograph by Sean Drakes

Banana woven accessories by Deserie Guy Jones - hat, purse, hand-bag - with hand-painted blue-and-white silk scarf by Karina Howard-Perez and hand-painted silk- scarf by Anna Serrao. Photograph by Sean Drakes

Seashell and leather necklace by Christopher Sheppard, with jacket by Greer Jones and black bikini swimsuit by Island Casuals. Photograph by Sean Drakes

Leather Ruk-Sak by Galt, with hand-painted cotton scarf by Karina Howard-Perez and donkey-eye earrinqs with ixora stem by Branker. Jumper by Greer Jones. Photograph by Sean Drakes

Copper earrings by Morgan, with hand-dyed calabash earrings by Banfield. Photograph by Sean Drakes

olive green cowhide belt and brown suede leather belts by Herlene Tyson. Photograph by Sean Drakes

Leather shirt cuffs with antique coin by Galt. Photograph by Sean Drakes

Sterling silver rings with vine scroll by Michelle Lopez. Photograph by Sean Drakes

Caribbean designers are drawing on one of the earth’s most exotic palettes to twist tradition and create accessories from indigenous materials for any wood.

From copper and calabash to silver and precious stones, independent designers are exploring the market for unique, hand-made jewellery, scarves and bags and belts. Whether it’s to complement the natural look or for elegant wear, here are dome new ways to blend comfort with Caribbean style.

Photography by Sean Drakes
Models: Renée Castle, Gwendolin Albarado, Dino Grenado
Assistant: Nigel Celestine

Thanks to: Management and staff of The Normandie, Trinidad

All accessories on sale in Trinidad