Marsha Allen merges Caribbean culture and fashion
By: Shuyao Wang
Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: Perspectives
| |
|
Allen entered the modeling industry at the age of sixteen. "Both my parents and I think that modeling is a good way to build self esteem," she said. Taller than most of her peers, Allen did not like her image when she was young. "I always walked with my back bended," she said. But the catwalk training helped her gain a better appreciation for her body. As she said, cat-walking raised her self esteem "from one to ten." On the runway, the poise and elegance of her walk freed her from the fear of standing before big crowds. After joining two local companies in Trinidad, Allen participated in many fashion shows and several TV shows.
Her experience in modeling in Trinidad prepared her to sign a contract with BT Entertainment in New York where she participated in photo shoots and a jeans advertisement. Unlike the modeling industry in Trinidad, in New York, Allen found that the business was exercising a humongous influence on the aesthetics standard. "The American models looked like skeletons. They would be considered unhealthy in Trinidad. Most of them were driven to be on a diet and never satisfied with their images," said Allen. As she described, this trend of slimming down, as promoted by the media, was deeply rooted in the way society has defined beauty. This was when Allen decided not to consider modeling as her career field in the future. "I personally do not want the physical image to define who I am. So I chose education-to study in college."
Coming to Mount Holyoke as an economics major, Allen also developed an interest in geology. "Geology really makes me happy, regardless of the heavy workload," she said. It is also the career that she wants to pursue in the future. But her interest and keenness in fashion are not buried in the study of rocks and earth structure. Having been on the runway and surrounded by fashion designers for almost eight years, the retired model specializes in costume design. She designed some of the outfits for the 2007 and 2008 African-Caribbean Day celebrations. The culture of the Caribbean Carnival also influenced her to design the plumed headpiece she wore at convocation.
The Caribbean Carnival inspired Allen in many ways. The celebration, which originated in the French-Catholic carnival tradition, is now influenced by contemporary fashion trends. "I think that plumed and beaded costumes are always in high demand," said Allen who has participated in three parades. Trinidad costume designers are especially creative with their design themes each year. As Allen said, "It is always very hard to choose which costume you want because of the high quality to which they are created, and the wide variety you have to choose from." Observing recent trends in costume design, Allen noticed that designers have been adding trendier elements such as bowler hats and colors of the year. Many designers, however, stick to the traditional costumes that better represent Trinidad's national culture.
Though now far from the modeling industry, Allen still thinks of her past experience as special. "Modeling should be a good class to take in college if it is offered. Although some scenes behind this industry are not necessarily good, it is still a good way to build women's self-esteem as they will present themselves with more confidence," she said.