Threads of Elegance – The legacy of a Caribbean Fashion Icon

Two Trinidadian cultural icons chat on the stage at TEDxPortofSpain Women 2023. Wendell Manwarren interviews Meiling, the iconic leader in Caribbean fashion. She tells her 50-year story of being transformed from working in her mother’s sewing room to becoming the Caribbean’s lead fashion designer and brand creator. Meiling is amongst the most renowned designers in the Caribbean, whose namesake label has become synonymous with Caribbean luxury. With a meticulous eye and impeccable taste, she uses a mixture of texture and organic fabrics, along with her signature hand-stitched details, to bring her pieces to life.

The daughter of one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most renowned seamstresses of her time, Meiling infuses time-honored, artisanal techniques in everything she creates, beautifully representing the rich legacy of artisanal craftsmanship in the Caribbean. Meiling finds a lot of inspiration from Trinidad and Tobago’s rich architecture and references to these artisanal details sometimes peek out in her work.

Meiling’s mantra “Less is more” is demonstrated in her minimalist collections that are often done in black and white. Her extravagance is often in exquisite heirloom finishes that adorn pieces. Meiling’s timeless pieces are often worn across generations and indicate timelessness of her brand