Trendzy by Ackeilia’s Coconut Collection promises stylish summer
Published:Friday | July 18, 2025 | 12:05 AMNyoka Manning/Gleaner Writer
The Coconut Runway Show, presented by Trendzy by Ackeilia, transformed New Haven Avenue in St Andrew into a hub of island style on Saturday. Ackeilia Caine, the designer behind the brand, took to the runway to deliver a line-up of swimwear and resort wear that aligns with the seasonal demand for summer fashion.
“I really wanted this collection to feel like home, inspired by the natural beauty and versatility of the coconut in all its stages – from the soft ivory of the jelly, to the deep brown of the husk and shell, and the vibrant green of the young coconut,” Caine explained. “These earthy, tropical tones reflect a clean, timeless summer aesthetic and were also intentionally chosen to fuse seamlessly with pieces from the Soleil d’Or and Golden Isles collections released prior. The result is a cohesive wardrobe that blends natural elegance with modern, breathable silhouettes – perfect for hot days, relaxed getaways, and effortless mix-and-match styling.”
Caine opened the swimwear segment with the Husk Bikini, a sleek, colour-blocked ensemble pairing a bandeau and triangle top in warm ivory and brown tones. The low-rise bottoms extended the earthy palette, offering a grounded, minimalist look that evoked the raw beauty of coconut husk. She followed with the Jelly Halter Monokini, a fresh, off-white one-piece accented with a coconut green top detail. Waist cutouts enhanced the silhouette and added tropical vibrancy to the soft, nature-inspired base.
The Coconut Cream Monokini made a striking impression, featuring an ivory mesh base with a detailed coconut tree appliqué at the centre. Leaf-like strings draped from the shoulder and were adorned with wooden beads, creating a tactile, nature-themed design that balanced whimsy with sophistication. Next came the Coco Cut Monokini, first in a brown-trimmed version, then reimagined with soft coconut-green edging. Both variations featured deep plunge necklines, open backs, and tie straps accented with coconut shell rings, combining beachside glamour with earthy elegance.
Caine continued with the Palma Bikini in green, a fully reversible set offering two looks in one. The bra top stood out for its artistic twist – an upside-down coconut plant crafted from fine strings and wooden beads, bringing a handcrafted flair to the functional silhouette. She followed with the Buoys Go Nuts Monokini in rich brown, a sultry one-piece with a plunging neckline, belted waist, and coconut shell buckle accents. The suit sculpted the body while delivering an island-inspired edge.
The Palma Bikini then returned in white, showcasing the same reversible features and textured coconut motif, this time in a softer, more neutral palette. Caine followed with the Husk Honey Halter Monokini, a bold brown one-piece featuring ivory accents, a halter neckline, and sharp cutouts that added both structure and sensuality. She wrapped the swimwear sequence with the Buoys Go Nuts Monokini in classic ivory, blending minimalism with strong, sculpted design and coconut-shell detailing.
The transition to resortwear introduced softer silhouettes and breathable textures. The White Sands Mesh Fringe Dress opened the segment, evoking pure island elegance in a creamy hue. A bandeau top and short inner lining sat beneath flowing handmade fringe, capturing movement and sun-kissed ease. The Coconut Water Mesh Puff Sleeve Kimono and Drawstring Pants Set followed in fresh green mesh. Coconut shell buttons, airy puff sleeves, and a relaxed pant silhouette made the set both polished and wearable.
Next came the Coco Cream Mesh Skirt, a lightweight ivory piece with a flared skater silhouette and pointed hemline that moved gracefully with every step. Caine deepened the earthy tone with the Thatch Me Fringe Dress, crafted in rich brown mesh with handmade fringe throughout. A spaghetti strap top and short lining created depth through tone-on-tone layering.
She added tropical vibrance with the Leaf Me Caftan, a lime green and off-white printed cover-up that floated effortlessly over the body. The Island Breeze Kimono, presented in ivory with metallic foil mesh, brought a soft shimmer and breezy sophistication. Caine maintained this mood with the Net Me Kimono, an oversized ivory mesh piece that layered easily over swimsuits or casual resort looks.
The Coco Dew Mesh Fringe Dress added energy to the line-up with its vibrant green hue, bandeau base, and attached handmade fringes that swayed dramatically with movement. She followed with the Leo Coco Kaftan Dress, a bold triangular design in rich leopard print that celebrated both island ease and statement styling. The collection closed with the Grove Button Down Dress, a gold-on-nude metallic mesh piece with puff sleeves, leopard print piping, and coconut shell buttons. The dress could be worn open or closed, offering versatility alongside dramatic flair.
Caine noted that the collection aimed to serve different moments in a woman’s day. “Some women want to feel bold at the beach, others want to throw on something easy after a swim and head to lunch. I designed this with all those moments in mind,” she added.
Audience reactions reflected the strong connection between the designs and the Caribbean identity they evoked. “The Coconut Runway Show was nothing short of spectacular. The ambience of the garden setting, enhanced by Bottega bubbly, set the tone for guests eagerly awaiting the new summer collection to hit the runway. There weren’t enough seats for everyone! I’m sure Ackeilia did not anticipate such a huge turnout compared to the last event at the same location earlier this year in January,” Gabrielle Burgess, CEO of Suga Lifestyle, told Living.