Cayman’s fashion scene was elevated to a new level on Thursday evening, 18 June, when retail store and fashion line Blu Saki launched at Governors Square.
The event not only celebrated beauty and fashion but also included a deeper meaning of giving back to the community and helping others.
Owned, created and designed by Supriya Singh-Bodden, the fashion brand Blu Saki was also recently showcased at Paris Fashion Week.
At the opening event hosted by Caymanian supermodel Selita Ebanks, guests enjoyed a red-carpet experience as they entered the curated outdoor area to pursue Blu Saki’s offerings that included women’s and men’s apparel, handbags, candles and table linens – all designed by Bodden in an array of colours and fabrics.
The store itself was like a jewel-box with its rich assortment of silk dresses, unique jewellery pieces, hats, handbags and home goods – unlike anything else found in Cayman.
Ebanks, who herself is known for her groundbreaking career and trailblazing for diversity in the world of high-fashion, shared her impression of Singh-Bodden when she first met her.
“I know a little bit about fashion,” she joked. “When I met Supriya, I recognised a kindred spirit and a bold and graceful woman,” she said, and commended Singh-Bodden for her “unwavering commitment to equality that shines through in all her creations.”
She also noted that Singh-Bodden, who is originally from Guyana, is also a founder of the Guyana Foundation, a charitable trust that provides free training in vocational skills training and other programmes, and that she received one of Guyana’s highest national honours, the ‘Cacique’s Down of Honor’ for her work on mental health.
Ebanks, who said she will be brand manager, emphasised, “Blu Saki is more than a fashion brand; it embodies a lifestyle, a means of expression that underscores our Caribbean spirit, innovation, creativity and above all, family.”
Singh-Bodden highlighted her commitment as well in her opening remarks. “I feel it is my duty to bring whatever skills I have to help to enrich these Islands,” she said. “Whatever contributions we can make to the upliftment of … its people, I think it is our collective duty to do so.”
The brand name
Singh-Bodden also shared the story behind the brand.
“A blue saki is a blue-grey tanager bird found in Guyana and across the Caribbean,” she said. “In many cultures, bluebirds symbolise hope, joy and signify new beginnings. That spirit is at the core of our brand.
“When you look at our logo, it shows the fragile bird in the centre but also the jaguar print behind it,” she added, indicating the gentle bird can be as powerful as the jaguar that surrounds it, linking it to the deeper meaning of Blu Saki to educate and empower people.
Singh-Bodden announced that she would be rolling out free vocational programmes for young Caymanians to help them gain financial independence and learn new skills, starting with a sewing class on Saturdays by early 2027. “We’ll also help them to set up a business,” she said, indicating the support will be available to ensure students succeed in their new ventures.
Singh-Bodden also appealed to the community to come forward if they have expertise that they can share. “If there are people who wish to exchange their skills, you can use Blu Saki as a conduit to get to people who need those skills,” she said, adding that steps include finding more suitable locations to hold the training and developing the roster of offerings.
Distinguished guests
Governor Jane Owen as well as Premier Andre Ebanks attended the event and each offered words of support. The premier said he was surprised by the “wider purpose” of the event, as wasn’t aware before arriving, but he was impressed by the incorporation of uniquely Caymanian symbols in the designs, plus what he called the demonstration of a “virtuous, harmonious circle”, saying it is the aim of his administration for a successful Cayman.
“Thank you for bringing this level of diversity, this level of creativity,” he added, encouraging the audience to offer a “hip, hip, hooray” for Blu Saki. “I wish it every possible success that God will provide.”
To the delight of her guests, Singh-Bodden rounded off the event with a mini-fashion show, emceed by Ebanks. Using one of her designs as a base, Singh-Bodden modelled three looks: a smart casual one, suitable for church; with a quick shift into gold flats and handbag, one for weekend shopping; and finally, she changed to an upscale look, complete with a pink accent belt, matching pumps and an elegant hat worthy of Ascot.
In addition to showcasing the versatility of her work, Singh-Bodden said that the new store would be the only retail location where people will be able to purchase her designs, but that plans were underway to take the Blu Saki brand global.
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