Photography, fashion and cultural storytelling came together during the Caribbean Afro-Beauty and Heritage Photography Expo, held August first and second.
Creative director David Amauris Santos led the initiative, celebrating Afro-Caribbean women while encouraging discussion about beauty, identity, representation and heritage.
The two-day programme opened at the Philipsburg Cultural and Community Center with a workshop titled “Identity in the Fashion Industry.”
Caribbean-American model Sasha Payton discussed representation, colorism, confidence and building an authentic personal brand.
The workshop was followed by the opening of the Our Hair, Our Legacy slavery photography exhibition.
Activities continued at The Cave Rooftop Bar and Lounge, featuring photography, fashion, music, dance, poetry and public dialogue.
The exhibition presented portraits and documentary-style images highlighting the strength, dignity and resilience of Afro-Caribbean women and their historic contributions to agriculture, trade, family and community development.
Santos says the project documents Caribbean stories from the region’s own cultural perspective while honoring the women whose labor and creativity helped shape Caribbean society.
The photographs, interviews and videos will become part of a cultural archive supporting future exhibitions and educational activities.