Daring, distinct, divine

If anyone deserves the award for Most Maverick Fashionista, it is Annalisa Guthrie. This extraordinary talent has gone viral for her exquisite creations that employ the most unconventional materials and approaches to design.

“As much as I can sew, I was never truly moved by that technique when I was pursuing my design career. So in a way, releasing myself from the confines of sewing everything has allowed me to be 10 times more creative and explorative with things that aren’t fabric,” Guthrie, who is known by the name Annaixe, told The Sunday Gleaner.

Emerging on the style scene a decade ago, this talented costume designer has reimagined the way we see carnival costumes ever since. After studying fashion design at the University of Technology, it was only a matter of time before she found her footing in mas.

But while she appreciated the hands-on approach that came with providing exquisitely uniformed sections for road march, Guthrie found herself entering what she described as her ‘me’ era. And that meant branching out and tapping into an element that was even more luxurious.

“I love designing carnival costumes, and I am always happy about the opportunities it has afforded me to have. I, however, wanted to do more, honouring and honing my craft while doing something for me,” she said, adding, “When people hear costume design, they automatically think of carnival. I wanted to explore making avant-garde looks as well.” And it was these explorations that unlocked the material magic of Annaixe.

TIP OF THE ICEBERG

When Guthrie made a special request to friends for old flannels or plaid shirts in November of last year, she got to work, upcycling the pieces into an uber-chic skirt set that gained the support of followers online. But that was just the tip of the iceberg for Guthrie, who went on to create other bold, daring, unique, and stunning looks.

By Christmas time, instead of shopping in the clothing aisle, she opted for the supplies section, orchestrating a sizzling hot red symphony out of Christmas poinsettia decoration.

“I remember not having an outfit for the event and rushing to put something together, but I had no intention of recording anything, so I got to just enjoy making it. It wasn’t until I saw the outcome that I decided to take videos and post them because I loved the ‘fit so much,” she shared.

From there, others began challenging her to make magic out of non-fabric materials.

ROPED IN

As a lover of shapes and lines, she put her strength of precision into a bead and string top and headpiece combination that had many gasping for air with sheer excitement. If that wasn’t alluring enough, she gave us the gift of a birthday look constructed from rope.

“This look to me was the turning point for me. I realised what I was doing was much bigger than me just making things to wear. That was the first video to really go all the way viral, and I think it lit a fire for me to want to go harder. I didn’t want that to be the best work I had done or the most popular. I wanted to keep pushing my mind and wowing people more,” Guthrie confessed.

She garnered much attention for this revolutionary line of fashion, and it wasn’t long before she was pushing the boundaries even further. Nothing could measure up to her classic black-and-white tapeline look. And this fashion designer took her innovation off the pages with a phone book-inspired dress. Now, just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, Annaixe unleashed her style dragon, stealing the show with a head-turning dress made of paper towels.

“I love that each of them is different but still looks quintessentially me. The love I put into each outfit is obvious, and my personal taste is reflected as a result. I’m never making something I wouldn’t wear or go out in public in,” the production manager highlighted.

EXCITING SKILL

This experience has not only been fulfilling for her engaging audience, it has been most rewarding for the designer, who has stepped out of her comfort zone as far as her creative process is concerned. “I never really used to sketch,” she said, adding that since doing this style series, she has developed this exciting skill. “I’ve just been so overwhelmed with different ideas that I actually carry my iPad everywhere now just to sketch. Bringing [the looks] to fruition is just the icing on the cake because I really just lock in and focus until it comes out the way I need it.”

Looking up to style icons like Schiaparelli, Alexander McQueen, Stéphane Rolland, and Iris Van Herpen, her new era, she says, is heavily influenced by the fashion of drag queens.

Since making social media her very own runway, the sky is certainly the limit for this fashion artist who would love to do an exhibition for her pieces while also creating haute couture pieces for international exhibitions such as the Met Gala.

With plans to paint the town in Lignum Vitae for the upcoming Yard Mas Carnival in Jamaica Road March, she hopes those revelling in her costume will experience the grace, strength, and resilience it aspires to exude.

Her advice to others seeking to go beyond the box in style is simple: trust yourself and trust the process. “Trust that as long as you are happy with the work you’ve put out, that’s all that matters. The right people will always find it. You literally have nothing to lose by living in your truth and expressing your art.”

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com

CREDITS

Annalisa Guthrie was shot on location at The Gardens at the Pegasus at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel.

Special thanks to Maurice Bryan, sales and reservations manager.