By Denise Balgobin Monday, July 16 2007

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Kevin Ayoung-Julien the man behind KAJ Designs....

Since the recent Caribbean Fashion Week in Jamaica, one local designer has received numerous requests from clients to create special outfits for them.

Tobago-based Kevin Ayoung-Julien, the man behind KAJ Designs, is just 27 years old, but his designs portray world-class maturity and a deep knowledge of what looks good on women of different sizes and complexions.

Inspired by the fundamentals of African culture, KAJ Designs reflects an appreciation of the indigenous with contemporary boldness and unabashed ethnicity.

In KAJ clothing and accessories, nature’s simple beauty mixes with a modern attitude of individualism and high personal style. Lines are sensual, embellishments are chunky, and raw fabrics are touchable, all in deep earthy hues.

The KAJ concept channels the dynamism of an ancient history into classy, daring designs that speak of self-respect and independence.

Kevin’s foray into the fashion world began when he got a job at a craft store in Tobago. With his natural affinity for colours and different fabric textures, the shop’s wide assortment of paints and materials provided the perfect setting to indulge his creative desires.

In an interview with Newsday, he admitted that he had already been spending most of his free time drawing people in varying clothing styles with different embellishments and material combinations. When the opportunity came to explore further with fabric paints and appliqués, Kevin proved to be a quick study with uniquely innovative creations.

“This was the ideal place for me. I was getting paid to do something I enjoyed,” he stated. “Having studied Visual Arts in school, I was always artistic and creating comes naturally for me.”

Not long after, a friend selling jewellery at craft exhibitions took some of Kevin’s appliquéd t-shirts to a trade show. The response was more than positive, and Kevin received many requests. He later added his designs to bags, all the while refining his ability to produce cleaner finishes.

Today KAJ is an evolving line of clothing and accessories which truly embodies his appreciation for the culture of Trinidad and Tobago.

Natural tones, patterns and textures dominated his first collection and signature line Chachalaca, another name for Tobago’s native bird, the Cocrico. Trademark pieces of this collection were featured at the 2005 Caribbean Fashion Week (CFW) in Jamaica and the 2005 Caribbean Fashion Rhythms in Barbados.

His sophomore collection Mwangaza reflected the deep sensuality, rich earth tones and hypnotic rhythms of the South African landscape, and graced the runway at last year’s TT Fashion Week – Makin’ Style.His work has also been featured on Tobago’s Channel 5 fashion programme Flair, as well as in various international fashion magazines including She Caribbean Magazine.

Kevin’s latest collection, Eccensual: Shake Well and Stir, scored him more acclaim at the CFW in Jamaica a few weeks ago. Describing himself as being very stimulated by his surroundings, Kevin said this collection “blends the eccentricities of earthy couture with the sensual flavours of the islands, resulting in a luscious cocktail called Eccensual.

“The avant garde pieces exude luxury in lavish infusions of ethnic-motif silk chiffons with a dash of cotton, raw silk, taffeta and patterned stretch mesh and a pinch of snake-printed peach skin.

“I used a lot of copper, leather and pony skin accents, tossed and fizzed with luxurious guipure lace, wooden beaded fringe, and the exotic coque plume. The defining colours take their lead from the muted tones of the Caribbean, in rich browns, tan, khaki, exotic red and mustard shades, refreshing blues and teals and even bronze, all smothered in the strongest layers of embossed black hues.” He added that one bride-to-be was so in love with his work that she gave him the go-ahead to create any outfit, choosing whatever colour and fabric he wanted, for her wedding dress.

He has even had to turn away clients due to time. “I like to focus on creating the best for each client, so if I can’t give you what you want in time, then I will say no.

For me it is not only about making money, but for having my clients look the best they can in my designs.”