DESIGN OF A MAN

Michael RagHUnanan began his career in fashion at the tender age of five. “My twin sister and I were very close and I would create outfits for her dolls,” Michael confesses, with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “I would use a needle and thread and scraps of fabric from my mother’s sewing room. Her dolls were always beautifully turned out.” In the ensuing years since his humble beginnings, Michael has been turning out original and creative fashions, while at the same time, perfecting his craft and earning a well-deserved reputation for attention to detail and exceptional quality. He points to his mother, herself a seamstress, and the late Junior Bristol, as the two people who influenced him most to become a designer and dress-maker.

“Junior Bristol was talented, he was a renowned queen maker famed for his elegant gowns and I was fortunate to apprentice under him. I learned a lot about fashion, style and discipline from Junior. My mother taught me the importance of patience and sacrifice and she always encouraged me to do my best.” Michael is self-taught, learning about garment construction and fabricating through trial and error and by observing his mentors but does not see his lack of credentials as a negative. “Believe in yourself and always give of your best,” are Michael’s words of advice for those who wish to succeed in life. He is modest and gives credit to God for his extraordinary gift. “Nothing is possible without God,” he says with deep conviction in his voice. “Everything is impossible without him; remember, we are but humble servants!”

Displaying versatility almost unheard of, Michael admits that he prefers to work with women because they are more open to new ideas and different styles. He has no limits and is comfortable with any fabric. He specialises in gowns and tailored suits for men and women and his designs are unique and well put together. “Men are unwilling to experiment, especially Trinidadian men,” Michael laments. “The clothing of choice is more often than not faded denim or dirty cotton. I prefer a more distinctive look.” Michael explains, “I prefer to be different.” What makes Michael different? His unwillingness to settle for mediocrity and his drive for perfection. At Michael’s Vogue Designs customer satisfaction is always guaranteed. His biggest obstacles so far have been the lack of any real opportunities to showcase his talent and the limited selection of available fabrics.

How does Michael overcome these seemingly insurmountable hurdles? “I always try to maintain a positive outlook. I am relentless in my pursuit of excellence and I truly believe that nothing happens before its time,” Michael says with a smile. “I believe that in order to enjoy your success completely you have to be challenged. Nothing good in life should ever come too easily.” Michael has a wisdom that belies his years. He also has a disarming smile and an easy-going, approachable manner. At the recent Carivog International “Trinidad and Tobago Creative Talent Extravaganza” a number of awe-inspiring pieces from Michael’s Vogue Designs stole the spotlight, earning the young designer a standing ovation.

In fact one of Michael’s proudest moments came on that night, when a beautiful floor length evening gown made from abstract brocade and sheer fabric, worn by Odia Thomas Bascombe, was adjudged the best evening gown in the Miss Big And Beautiful 2005 pageant — besting designs from Zadd and Eastman and Heather Jones. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for our local designers. They are all talented and contribute to the very vibrant local fashion industry, but honestly, winning on that night was a tremendous boost to my confidence. Style is personal and what you wear should reflect who you are,” Michael muses. “This is my fashion mantra.” Where does Michael see himself and his business in five years?

“I never plan too far ahead,” Michael answers. “I take every day as a precious gift to be cherished. Here one minute, gone the next; one has no way of knowing. Even if I could see into the future I wouldn’t want to — it would rob me of the joy of living in this moment.” Following an appearance on Moko with Danielle Jones, Michael Raghunanan, the man who started off designing clothes for his sister’s dolls, seems destined to become a household name and a force to be reckoned with in the global fashion arena. “Measure your life not by the number of breaths you take but by the number of moments that you breathe away,” he says. Michael’s Vogue Designs is one of Carivog International Network designers, which recently donated gowns and opening presentation clothes to Trinidad and Tobago UK cultural showcase in London.