#FASHIONDISCOVERYMONDAY

Born in America but raised in Trinidad and Tobago. In those days it was customary for Trinidadian parents to migrate then apply for citizenship for their children thereafter.

In my case, my parents sent me to Trinidad to be raised by my grandmother. Which left for an interesting childhood filled with adventure.

Raised as an only child by my grandmother Mammy; I learnt everything from music to fashion.

Mammy made sure I was active. She registered me in piano, violin, steelpan and dance classes. As a matter of fact, I’m trained in modern and African dance. I had no shortage of extracurricular activities.

I grew a bit rebellious in my teenage years. My soul wanted to connect to its source, which led me to explore the whole Island of Trinidad.

Disappearing days on end, I left my grandmother in a fury wondering about my whereabouts.

Once I was back in the house and her fury subsided, I would bond with Mammy over her wardrobe, commenting and analyzing every one of her outfits.
One of my go to memories with Mammy, is when she would take me with her to Jimmy Aboud’s Fabric store.

We spent hours and hours carefully selecting fabrics. Once we had the right cloth, Mammy would start negotiating, which took another hour to complete the process. I patiently waited for Mammy, while carefully fantasizing about what outfits my future husband and children would wear.

My knack for styling made everyone in close contact with me a possible “client”.

Watching my Grandmother and my Aunt deciding on looks, combining subtracting details to make their outfits their fit was my F.I.T Education.

Then cable came to Trinidad. I was only allowed to watch the 7 o’clock news so, sneaking to my neighbor’s house to watch the latest Fashion Trends on MTV became a habit. I’d sit for hours and comment on what worked, and what needed to be banned.

MTV gave me expensive Fashion taste, but at that age money wasn’t readily available. The solution: I learnt how to sow.

My affair with the sewing machine was shortly lived. I didn’t see the point of all that work, and name brand label to show. So I quit sewing and took my fabric to Listra, a family friend and seamstress. With her on the machine and I dictating the designs, I started putting together
my Collection.

My wardrobe allowed me to be T-boz, Left-Eye Chillie, Janet Jackson, Aliyah, Sade or whichever celebrity I decided to channel.

My best friend wasn’t into fashion but her older sister Nadine was, so we bonded by designing outfits, music and dancing.

My life in Trinidad came to a halt when Mammy decided it was time for me to be united with my parents.

I reluctantly left my beautiful T&T and the Adanna Ade’ Collection behind.

I arrived in America with an empty suitcase. Baytown, Texas is where I would first be introduced to the American Life.

I didn’t like it at all. The fashion was horrible. The people had no style, and everyone looked the same. I was desperate to leave, so my Mom in Houston came and moved me to her house. OFF to H Town we went.

I found more ways to express my sense of self in Houston. My school uniform always had an extra to it, mixed with Armani, Armani Exchange, BCBG, Coach, Born, Gap, Tommy Hilfiger, Polo, Ralph Lauren, anything that gave it an edge.

My high school days came to an end, earning me the title of best dressed. But shortly after, the Fashion Industry took a turn non desired. I quit college and never turned back.

Education was over for me so I hoped on Greyhound and headed to the Big Apple by myself with no plan little money.

My arrival in New York was greeted with flashing lights, crowds of people and my kind of fashion. I began to model for a living but something inside of be began to switch.

I was exactly where I wanted to be, but the superfluous world of the industry left me longing for more. Something more sustainable.

When my mother transitioned two years ago, it also marked my transition.

I left New York and went back to Trinidad. I enjoyed being free, by travelling and sailing unencumbered.

My soul began to shift and a surge happened that changed the course of my life forever.

I donated all my clothes to Goodwill and started my life with a clean slate. Learning how to enjoy the simple things in life, I was able to connect to the depth of my inner self. Then the rebirth of my mother’s essence came to me in the form of a swimwear line called Nsombi. My mother.

Now, my mission is to create an eco/sustainable
clothing line, something the fashion industry can finally sell to eco-conscious fashionistas of this new generation of consumers.

Starting over has been prefect.

Nsombi has always been my destiny.
Blessings

Adanna Ade’