Graduation season in TT

WITH THE CXC, CAPE and A-level examinations out of the way, thousands of Fifth and Sixth Form students throughout the country are busy making final preparations for graduation. Careful attention is being paid to details, from the colour of their dresses to the latest hairstyles.

Local stores are well-stocked with graduation gowns of every colour and design, as well as suits and tuxedos for the style conscious male graduates.

Among the emerging style trends for 2006 graduates is less emphasis on frills and formality, more focus on an elegantly casual look.

Noted fashion designer, Peter Elias told Sunday Newsday this year’s trends follow a more international style.

“If you go through any Cosmo, In Style, Prom and Seventeen magazines, you will see what’s in. All their predictions are more streamlined, more classic and more red carpet styled gowns,” said Elias.

“They are not so much the Cinderella-type dresses that are excessively ornate with decorations and embellishments.”

In terms of colour, Elias said traditional pastels are still popular.

“Traditional pastels are big. However, this year the strongest colours are bright turquoise, a beautiful colour called melon, which is a cross between red and fuscia, and yellow.”

His views on the latest graduation styles are shared by many retailers. A spokesperson at Boutique Playton Limited in Long Circular Mall noted that aquamarine, white and cream were the most popular colours for graduates.

As for the graduates, they have very firm views on what they want for the big event. Students from St Joseph’s Convent, St Joseph, Holy Name Convent, Port-of-Spain and Bishop Anstey High School all expressed the view that simple equals better when it comes to their graduations.

While both Convents are hosting their graduations at Pier 1, Bishop Anstey High School will have their event at the Garden Sanctuary, Centre of Excellence in Macoya.

All three schools have decided not to have an overall theme for their events.

However, St Joseph’s Convent has a colour scheme — black and silver.

Several students said they wanted less pomp and formality since that would distract from the real point of the graduation — to spend time with and enjoy the company of all their classmates one last time.

Elias offered this advice to students preparing for graduation night: “The idea is to look like a young, beautiful woman, not a little girl. A good choice is straight, long hair.

“It is the number one look but my personal preference is for full, natural hair. Don’t straighten it or flat iron it. Just let it be!”