Nathelie Taylor, Gleaner Writer
( LEFT ) Sasanya Dawson poses in her $10,000 oufit from Miami Heat on the second day of the Rising Stars auditions in Kingston held at the Knutsford Court Hotel last Sunday.
( RIGHT ) Kerry-Ann Morgan doing her thing on the second day of the Kingston Rising Stars auditions held at the Knutsford Court Hotel last Sunday. Kerry-Ann's top from Brit&Bran cost $1,800. - PHOTOS BY ANDREW SMITH/PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
THE NOTION that to be a star one has to look like a star has been firmly etched into the minds and pockets of many Rising Stars hopefuls. They go the distance, spending much time and money to achieve the look they think will make the judges sit up and take notice. Most times, however, this tactic is all for naught.
That was largely the case last weekend. One could easily have mistaken the sixth and final Rising Stars auditions in Kingston for a public fashion show. Colours and cuts were quite dazzling and it was obvious that many took special care in their appearance.
NEW OUTFITS
A number of women went as far as to buy new outfits for the auditions. On Saturday, when 20-year-old Susana McKenzie stood before the judges, she was wearing over $7,000 worth of clothing and accessories. Decked out in fashionable knee-length denim capris, matching waist-length jacket, green-and-white printed top and green stilettos, McKenzie looked ready to impress and she had another smashing outfit at home just in case she received a callback for the following day.
McKenzie never got the chance to wear suit number two for Rising Stars.
On day two, the fashion parade continued on the lawns of the Knutsford Court Hotel and the ring of the cash machine could be heard with every delicate step the ladies took. Yaniquia Shakespeare, for instance, invested her Tastee Talent cash prize in her $5,000 ensemble. Enviable pink pumps added a classic touch to her striped pink shirt, belt and black pants. This 16-year-old's look was completed by pink accessories.
Sasanya Dawson, 20, was another big spender. On Saturday, after learning that she had received a callback, Dawson headed to Miami Heat in Kingston and left with $10,000 worth of clothing and accessories. "I had to look outstanding and I wanted something casual and elegant," she said. Thus, she settled on hip-hugging, flowing dark green pants and fringed black top, with all the right accessories to match.
Unfortunately, her sassy look was not enough.
Kerry-Ann Morgan did not purchase an outfit for the auditions because the sheer and sexy blue top from Brit&Bran, Forever 21 jeans and slippers bought in St. Maarten, which created the "cute-with-a-little-chic" look she desired, were just lying in her closet waiting for the perfect event. Nevertheless, the 23-year-old's simple looking ensemble including the purchase, application and washing of her extensions cost almost $12,000.
IMPRACTICAL DRESSING
Mixed in with the money were large displays of impractical dressing.
Matrix-style, calf-length jackets, for instance, were the choice for two contestants on the first day of auditions at the National Stadium. While the jackets themselves were attractive, the whole look was laughable, given the location of the event and the unrelenting heat.
Another fashion crime was committed by many of the ladies, and to no one but themselves dangerously high heels, which were very incongruous, given the setting. Calves strained under the pressure of four-inch elevation as women bravely, albeit foolishly, tried to put their best foot forward.
In the end, most of these young 'fashionistas' were booted from the competition, but they sure left in style.
