In the vibrant yet small pool of quality fashion designers in Guyana, one name stands out: Keisha Edwards.
Birthed Shasha Designs, Keisha is renowned for creating unique, elegant, and stylish clothing.
Keisha Edwards, the owner of Shasha Designs
FROM EAST RUIMVELDT TO THE UNITED KINGDOM
Raised in East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Keisha attributed her love for fashion to her mother, who sewed to supplement the family income.
Growing up, I used to sit and watch her for hours sewing, and she would chase me out of the sewing room, but observation is a form of learning, and I learned the love for this craft through the eyes of a child watching my mother.
Despite mastering the art of sewing, Keisha initially pursued a different path.
When I graduated from the University of Guyana with my Degree in Sociology and my Diploma in Social Work, I couldn’t find a job. They kept saying I was overqualified, or I had no working experience, and I was like, you know, I love fashion, and I’m kind of good at this, and maybe if I invested a little more time, the possibilities could be endless. That’s how it kind of started.
THE SPARK OF A FASHION TRAILBLAZER
Supported by her siblings, Keisha began showcasing her creations in 2008 during Guyana’s Fashion Week.
Reflecting on her early designs, she admits they were “poor,” but they laid the foundation for her growth. Initially focused on party apparel, Keisha’s designs evolved as she honed her skills and knowledge about the industry.
If you had said to me in 2008, I would be making wedding gowns, I would have said no. But as I learnt more about my craft, as I studied, things started to change, and I wanted to add more to my portfolio.
Encouraged by her eldest sister and driven by the inability to find a job, Keisha dived deeper into the fashion industry.
Her designs began to gain attention, and with the support of her father, she attended the prestigious Parsons School of Design in Manhattan, New York, followed by the Caribbean Academy of Fashion.
Shasha Designs is now a name recognised beyond Guyana. Keisha has collaborated with renowned Trinidadian artiste Naila Blackman and Guyana’s own Timeka Marshall.
Her creations have been showcased in regional magazines and even at the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange at Buckingham Palace.
A CONSISTENT AND RESILIENT KEISHA
I’m consistent, I’m resilient. I believe in service, I believe in Guyana, and I thought I had a great idea that not only highlighted my work but the work of other creatives in the industry.
Furthermore, this Georgetown resident is the first fashion designer/creative in Guyana to be awarded a Chevening Scholarship. She is studying for a Master’s in Fashion Business Management at the prestigious University of Westminster.
Despite her success, Keisha remains humble, a trait she attributes to her mother.
