Inaugural Institutional Fashion Week
Renaissance: The Rebirth of Human Ecology | Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology, Barbados | 16–21 April 2018
1. Project Overview
The inaugural institutional Fashion Week, themed Renaissance: The Rebirth of Human Ecology, was a six-day educational and professional development initiative at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology (SJPI), Barbados.
Developed through collaboration between Joy Prime, the Garment Technology team, colleagues across the Human Ecology Division and external industry stakeholders, the initiative was designed to extend students' learning beyond the formal curriculum.
The programme brought together education, creative practice, entrepreneurship, cultural identity and industry engagement, providing opportunities for students to apply the knowledge and technical skills developed throughout the academic year in authentic professional and commercial settings.
2. The Educational Rationale
The initiative was founded on the principle that vocational education should prepare students not only to demonstrate technical competence but also to understand how their skills operate within the wider professional and commercial environment.
Fashion Week was conceived as an opportunity to bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional practice.
Students were encouraged to develop confidence in presenting their work, communicating with potential customers, understanding market expectations and recognising opportunities for employment, self-employment and entrepreneurship.
The programme also promoted collaboration across disciplines, enabling students to recognise the relationships between creative production, customer service, business development and professional practice.
3. Programme Development and Collaboration
Joy Prime worked with the Garment Technology team and colleagues across the Human Ecology Division to develop and coordinate a programme of educational, creative and commercial activities.
The initiative involved collaboration between Garment Technology, Cosmetology, Home Economics, Nursing Auxiliary Studies and Catering, alongside contributions from external industry professionals and institutional partners.
The programme incorporated exhibitions, workshops, seminars, demonstrations, design challenges and opportunities for students to engage directly with visitors and potential customers.
External stakeholders contributed specialist knowledge and professional perspectives, strengthening connections between institutional learning and industry practice.
4. Experiential Learning and Student Enterprise
A central feature of Fashion Week was the creation of opportunities for students to experience the commercial application of their skills.
Student exhibitions and marketplace activities enabled participants to present their work to the public, discuss their products and services and explore potential business opportunities.
Garment Technology students showcased their designs and completed garments, creating opportunities for conversations with visitors interested in privately commissioned work.
Cosmetology students produced and offered products for sale, including oils and other beauty-related items, providing experience of product development, presentation and customer engagement.
These activities enabled students to experience aspects of entrepreneurship and professional practice, including communicating with customers, promoting their work and recognising the commercial value of their technical skills.
5. Fashion Week Programme and Grand Finale
Held from 16 to 21 April 2018, the programme included student exhibitions, professional seminars, cultural discussions, practical demonstrations and fashion presentations.
Activities included discussions on Barbadian cultural identity, fashion entrepreneurship, garment production, cosmetology and professional development, alongside opportunities for students to demonstrate their skills.
The programme culminated in Renaissance: Dress for It, a public fashion event held at Caribbean Market Centre, Christ Church, Barbados.
Presented by Caribbean Market Centre in collaboration with SJPI and Curvy Revolutions modelling agency, the finale included runway presentations and a shopping experience, providing a further opportunity to connect student creativity with the wider public.
6. Professional Contribution and Educational Significance
Joy Prime's contribution involved collaborative programme development and coordination, working with the Garment Technology team, colleagues across Human Ecology and external industry stakeholders.
The initiative demonstrates her approach to vocational education as a process that extends beyond the acquisition of technical competencies to include professional confidence, enterprise development, collaboration and practical engagement with industry.
By creating opportunities for students to present, market and discuss their work in a public setting, Fashion Week connected curriculum learning with the realities of professional practice.
The project illustrates the value of experiential learning and cross-disciplinary collaboration in preparing vocational learners for employment, self-employment and entrepreneurship.