Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, 27 th August 2020: - Fashion has always had a way of taking our core wardrobe essentials - jackets, underwear, and everything in between - and turning them into statement pieces. So it's no surprise, then, that the protective face coverings we've been advised (and in some cases, ordered) to wear outdoors to curb the spread of the coronavirus have quickly been embraced and beautified by the fashion world.

As such, students from UTT's Caribbean Academy of Fashion and Design (CAFD) were challenged with the task of reimagining the now all-essential face mask, to be functional and fashionable to win one of three sewing machines from Brother and Unicomer, Business Mentorship Programmes from FashionTT, Online Payment Solutions from WiPay and a feature in Fashion Focus Magazeen.

Embracing the challenge, the CAFD students demonstrated their creativity and innovation by designing face masks which included cultural references to our African and Indian heritage, while embodying the spirit and essence of Carnival. However it was 27-year-old Aniké Taylor, who hails from Bethel Tobago, that impressed the judges with her soluble web technique, utilizing strands of red, white and black threads, to win the grand prize.

Second place was won by Hannah Timothy for her embellished, zippered mask, while third place was awarded to Kathy Belcon for her hand-embroidered face mask about the effects of Covid-19, with a powerful message about keeping hope alive.

In keeping with social distancing protocols, the top three designs were revealed in a small prize giving ceremony on Wednesday 26th August, 2020 at the UTT's Caribbean Academy of Fashion and Design, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain.

Leaping at the opportunity to support the face mask challenge, Unicomer's Public Relation's Officer, Mr Shahad Ali said both companies believed that this initiative "encouraged students to be innovative and creative," while Ms. Claudia Johnson, Unicomer's Merchandising Manager said: "This is the required mindset that we need to survive the pandemic. Our company believes in adaptation and this competition is a good example of how one industry can adapt to suit the current environment." Also speaking at the prize giving, Crystal Cunningham, POS Fashion Week's Public Relations and Media Promotions Manager said POSFW was grateful to the sponsors that supported the challenge. "We are so thankful to Unicomer and Brother for supporting POS Fashion Week with this initiative, especially in a time like this where Covid-19 has challenged all of us to reimagine the ways in which we not only do business but every aspect of our daily lives, which now includes the wearing of face masks. We felt that a Face Mask Challenge would be a great way to engage the design students, in light of all educational institutions being closed until December and I must say, were completely blown away by the level of creativity and innovation displayed by the students in their face mask designs, which obviously reflects the high standard of the work being done at UTT's Caribbean Academy of Fashion & Design under the leadership of Sandra Carr. Once again we would like to express a heartfelt thank you to Unicomer and Brother for providing the Top 3 Student Designers with sewing machines, which will assist them in completing their degree program online, from home. I would also like to say a heartfelt thank you to WiPay Caribbean, FashionTT, Fashion Focus Magazeen and designer Shaun Griffith Perez."