Trinidad and Tobago has long been known as a fashion innovator in the Caribbean. Yet, thanks to our diverse range of plants, herbs, and fruits used in international skincare, haircare, and cosmetics lines, we’ve made a name for ourselves not only in fashion but also in beauty.
Since we are known for our cultural diversity and deep historical roots, the combination of these characteristics produces a microcosm of innovative talent from female entrepreneurs who are making massive waves in T&T’s Fashion and Beauty Industries.
TriniBiz would like to highlight some of Trinidad and Tobago’s top female-led businesses that have made an impact in the fashion and beauty industry. These women have each developed their own brand to promote their products and services.
Heather Jones
Heather Jones is a millennium artist who exemplifies the transitional age of self-expression and individuality. Her designs aim to empower and encourage women by making them feel good about themselves.
Her line, Heather Jones- The Brand, features hand-painted silk chiffons in a variety of weights and vivid tropical colours, evoking the vitality and abundance of Caribbean life. Heather Jones’ collections are meant to expose today’s woman’s romantic side and sensuality.
Her dresses are made from the finest Chinese silk and hand-painted in Trinidad and Tobago using techniques and craftsmanship passed down through the generations. https://www.heatherjonesinternational.fashion/
Jillian Aimable
Jillian Aimable, founder and CEO of Shoeaholics, followed her heart in 2007, to go full time into the shoe business, thanks to an idea that she should sell shoes, a strong love for shoes, and the support of her fiance.
Jillian recognized the importance of selecting the right size and style to match a person’s social persona. As she got lost in the Shoe District while shopping for what was supposed to be a Boutique, her journey towards creating her brand seemed to be more of God’s divine intervention than prudent planning.
Shoe Fetish was born out of her love of shoes, and she spent all of her money on it. Her first brick and mortar store was located on Level II of Hadeed Mall in Arima. She then rebranded in 2010, and Shoeaholics was born. Since then, they’ve been working hard to provide their customers with the best shopping experience possible.
Shoeaholics has grown to become one of Trinidad’s most well-known influencer brands, as well as one of the country’s oldest continuously operating shoe stores. https://shoeaholictt.com/
Claudia Pegasus
Claudia Pegus, nicknamed the “First Lady of Fashion in the Caribbean,” has made an indelible mark as a mainstay at the annual Caribbean Fashion Week for almost a decade. She is widely regarded as one of Trinidad and Tobago’s and the Caribbean’s top fashion designers. She has achieved this honour not only because of the creative ingenuity of her designs and the high quality of her productions but also because of her proven entrepreneurial success.
Claudia Pegus Designs Limited is an exclusive niche market design and production company owned and operated by Claudia Pegus. She has two labels: Claudia Pegus, which produces haute couture lines, and CPFS, which produces ready-to-wear and career apparel lines for boutiques, hotels, resorts, and companies to buy retail or wholesale.
Her entrepreneurial skills were reawakened when she realized that the European cut was unsuitable for the Caribbean body. In the intensely competitive global fashion industry, she has since ventured to hold her own and create a powerful and reputable reputation. She caters to a cosmopolitan of local, regional, and foreign dignitaries, public figures, models, and celebrities through a design company that bears her name and focuses on an exclusive niche market. Claudia has spent over 30 years in the fashion industry and has worn many hats, including Image and Wardrobe Protocol Consultant and Caribbean Fashion Industry Influencer, to name a few. https://www.facebook.com/ClaudiaPegusDesignsLimited.CPFS/
Shari Cumberbatch
When graphic designer Shari Cumberbatch purchased a sewing machine on a whim in 2014, she discovered her love for working with prints mixed in a variety of ways. That decision unleashed a secret wealth of design passion and innovation, resulting in the creation of ShopShari, now one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most hip and well-known fashion labels.
Her interest in fashion design led to her being asked to create a section for The Lost Tribe. ShopShari evolved into a print-inspired fashion brand that is as creative, colourful, and diverse as the cultural landscape from which it emerged as she dedicated more time to her self-made brand after working with multiple design studios, agencies, and departments.
ShopShari caters to sophisticated and upwardly mobile women between the ages of 20 and 45 who are confident in expressing themselves through trendy apparel while at the same time a sense of ease and comfort.
ShopShari has had many opportunities to introduce Trinidad and Tobago’s fashion and culture to Jamaica, New York, and London. https://shopshari.com/
Angel Joseph
Angel Joseph, entrepreneur and founder of Imagine Cosmetics, is a motivated creative who believes that with the right amount of energy and focus, everything is possible.
Angel decided to dabble in the beauty industry after completing her MSc in IR in 2015, becoming a certified MUA. Imagine Cosmetics is her own brand, which she has positioned as one of the few makeup companies capable of competing with local brands like Sacha.
Imagine Cosmetics is a Caribbean-based brand that offers high-quality yet affordable beauty products inspired by Caribbean culture and heritage. The company is an advocate of health and wellness and has created products for a variety of campaigns, including their Parlour Cake, a setting powder that was launched for Breast Cancer Awareness.
Their product line includes lashes, beauty blenders, dry shimmer sprays, and setting powders, with names like Haffi Comeback, Bess Ting, and Mamaguy, to name a few, all of which are local slang and portrays the company’s movement towards Caribbean Solidarity.
Imagine Cosmetics can be found at several retail stores, such as Bella Russe C3 & Westmall. https://imaginecosmetics.shop/
Anisa Wilson
Anisa Wilson, Nuba Caribbean founder and owner, is committed to adding love to her work. Since 2016, Nuba was an idea and a dream that came true. She believes that anything you bring about must make you feel great, that it must be of the best quality and a solution to a problem whether known or unknown.
Anisa’s brand is dedicated to holistic abundance in the skin, mind, body, and spirit. Nuba Caribbean has made a big splash in the beauty industry, unlike other commercial brands, since their premium beauty and skincare products are made with traditional organic herbs blended with positivity and love. Their products include elixirs, toners, soaps, shampoos, conditioners, masks, and more, all of which are vegan and expertly made.
Nuba Caribbean products are available not only locally, but also in Guyana and Barbados, and will soon be available in France, London, and the United States. https://www.nubacaribbean.com/
Anya Ayoung-Chee
Anya Ayoung Chee is a designer, entrepreneur, and activist who won Season 9 of Project Runway. She represented Trinidad and Tobago at the Miss Universe pageant in Vietnam in 2008, where she had the opportunity to design some of her outfits.
Her first collection, Pilar, was released in 2009 and was named after her younger brother. Anya inspired millions when she won the 9th season of the iconic US television show Project Runway a few years later. She went on to launch her own womenswear collection, which is geared toward the resort wear industry.
Anya has stepped away from designing her own clothing line in recent years to focus on opening and managing a co-working space (HOME), boutique (Exhibit A), and cafe (HOME Cafe) in Trinidad.
Anya Ayoung Chee – Limited Edition marks her comeback to designing her own collection. The self-titled line was made with locally sourced fabrics and will be labeled “Made in Trinidad and Tobago,” which isn’t something you see on clothing tags every day. Her fans have clearly been missing her work as Half of her stock has already been sold in less than a day. https://www.anyaayoungchee.com/
There are so many other female-owned businesses to name in T&T, and we are proud of what they offer.
