Local designer Luigi Moxam’s lifestyle clothing brand – One Tree Four Five Ltd. – has recently garnered international attention.
Caymanian model Selita Ebanks was featured in the February edition of popular magazine Sports Illustrated wearing a One345 burnout T-shirt. Photo: Submitted |
One of his pieces graced the pages of Sports Illustrated magazine, modelled by Caymanian Selita Ebanks.
The February edition of the magazine was shot in Cayman by celebrated photographer Walter Loos. The shoot took place during November at a variety of picturesque locations, including the West Bay dock, the Heritage Kitchen on Boggy Sand Road and West Bay public beach.
The Caymanian born beauty – who holds a prestigious contract with Victoria’s Secret – wore a white v-neck burnout T-shirt from Luigi’s U Boy design collection. The T-shirt features a blue iguana and the One345 logo – a cheeky riff on the Cayman crest.
The One345 clothing brand was launched in the summer of 2005 and includes fashionable men’s, women’s and children’s apparel. Emblazoned across many of the fashion-forward designs are typical Caymanian sayings, which aim to celebrate Caymanian culture and its people.
‘It was an honour to have one of my designs featured in the magazine,’ Luigi said.
‘I have become friends with Selita over the past couple of years and she is always supportive of young Caymanians who are trying to promote Cayman in a positive light.
‘While she was in Cayman we toured the island together and I had the opportunity to meet the production team.’
He added: ‘Wherever possible, Selita is always keen to promote Cayman in her work and she wanted to wear something from a local designer, something which was authentic, Caymanian.
‘I showed the U Boy tunic to the production team and after explaining to them the concept behind the design and of the One345 clothing brand, they decided to feature it.
‘It feels amazing to see one of my designs featured in such a prestigious magazine. It brings credibility to the brand.’
Commenting on the concept behind the U Boy design Luigi said: ‘What could be more Caymanian than the blue iguana? It is a one -of -a -kind survivor, yet, if we don’t protect it, this amazing animal will become extinct. This is the same as our culture. We have to work to protect and preserve it.’
Luigi’s Guardian of the Culture collection – which includes sayings such as ‘Who Tell Ya Dat’, ‘Love Culture’, ‘Farm Soldier’ and ‘Who Ya Daddy Is?’ – aims to reinforce this idea.
‘This is such an important time in our history. My generation has to stand up and acknowledge ourselves as guardians of our culture. Otherwise what is unique to Cayman will fade.’
He added: ‘One345 is not just a clothing company. It’s about supporting and endorsing Cayman’s culture. It is about how one individual, one organisation, one community and one country can come together and contribute to making a positive difference.’
Indeed, Luigi’s forthcoming fundraiser, Once In A Blue Moon, reinforces this idea.
The event aims to raise money for the adoption of a Blue Iguana from the Blue Iguana Recovery Programme, as well as Rotaract Blue Cayman Islands.
The chic Caribbean themed event, scheduled for Saturday, 12 April at the Brick house restaurant, Grand Harbour from 6pm, will celebrate Cayman’s local talent, including DJs, artists, models, fashion designers and musicians. In addition, the event will also feature a host of guest celebrities from the fashion industry and young Caymanians that have taken their talents and represented Cayman overseas.
‘There needs to be more emphasis on endorsing and celebrating the many talented local artists in Cayman in an authentic and chic Caribbean setting. This event will do just that.’
Luigi added: ‘One345 is about inspiring people to come together and embracing our culture, lifestyle and heritage.’
For further details and to secure tickets to Once In A Blue Moon, email [email protected].
FYI
The One345 collection, priced from $20, is available from Breezes by the Bay, Winners Circle Sport, Red Sail Sports, Hot Tropic, Tropical Trader, Black Pearl Skate Park, Infinity Fashions. On Cayman Brac the clothing line can be purchased at The Bluff View store and the Brac Reef hotel.
Related Videos
