Local fashion designer and painter Al Ebanks is headed to the Big Apple next month to participate in the Infinite Exposure shows during New York Fashion Week SS|26, set for 11-16 Sept.
Ebanks’ New York debut comes on the heels of his appearance at this year’s Cayman InStyle Fashion Week runway show held in April, for which he presented 40 pieces of his ‘Brush’ collection, creating a walking art exhibit.
As a featured designer, Ebanks is set to showcase 10 pieces of the collection, during the ‘Fashion Spectacular’ showcase event. He will be presenting along with more than 10 international designers.
Joining him will be local designer and CEO of the local fashion week Norma Ebanks, who will also be showcasing her collection. Along with international models, seven Caymanians have been confirmed to wear several pieces by both local designers in their show.
Al Ebanks, a painter, sculptor, photographer and fashion designer, told the Cayman Compass he is “pretty excited” to bring his fashion to the world stage.
“To see all my work, create a brand, see your clothes on a runway and see people wearing them … to see this all come to fruition, is pretty cool.”
A seamless transition
From childhood, Ebanks said he always had a knack for painting. Born in George Town, he studied sculpture with renowned Barbadian artist Karl Broodhagen.
His love for abstract paintings and amorphous sculptures grew into over 30 years of creating an iconic body of work with a signature style.
Ebanks has been a leader in the development of Caymanian art, co-founding the Native Sons artists collective in 1996. His works include a solo show at the Jackie Gleason Theatre, Miami; a solo show ‘Dancing to Art’; and numerous group exhibitions, such as ‘Native Sons’ Fahive’, ‘Native Sons – Twenty Years On’, ‘Upon the Seas’, ‘Island of Women: Life at Home During our Maritime Years’, and ‘Reimagined Futures: 2nd Cayman Islands Biennial’.
Among his honours are the Cayman National Cultural Foundation Artistic Achievement Award in 2001 and a Cultural Luminary Award in 2024.
Ebanks said it was a seamless transition from painting to fashion. “I always paint and then use my clothes to clean my brushes. I’d then create different fabrics from it, and then people would ask when they see me wear things, they’d ask where you get them from. I’d create more.”
He added, “I grew up watching my mom making clothes. She didn’t buy anything, she used to make clothes, even school uniforms. I grew up seeing that and cutting fabrics for her. I was always into fashion.”
When it comes to the show, Ebanks said it’s rewarding to finally see his work on the runway.
“I’ve been doing this all my life, but to be here, now, it’s full circle.”
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