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THE DEFINITION OF COOL

Yo u t h I n f l u e n c e r s

Rhaj Paul

COULD Barbados have deposits

of gold, oil and diamonds and yet

remain poor?

Yes. Out of ignorance.

And there is an abundance of that when it comes to the enormous potential of many of our young people.Piles of ignorance and distrust grow with every report about young troublemakers. But there is overwhelming evidence that this island has a wealth of talented, creative, inventive and entrepreneurial young people who can help thrust this country – if given the chance.

I’ve had the good fortune of meeting some of the gifted, young people with their heads on the right way and I want Barbados to know of these treasures. Hence this publication – Young Influencers.

I did not choose the name. They did. Two of them in particular, Jonathan and Paul, persuaded me that my suggestion of “Positive Youth” did not adequately define them. They count themselves among Influencers of the world (not just Barbados) and they

are well-connected, impactful, and have a keen understanding of trends especially in technology.

They allowed me to add Young after I reasoned there were old Influencers too.These young Influencers are between the ages of 17 – 35. They invent things, build videogames, open businesses, feed the homeless, excel at sports, entertainment and academics and are doing amazing things in a segment of Barbados that is virtually underground.

This publication seeks to bring them to the fore. The expectation is that old and experienced influencers will engage these young people, help them open doors, and share ideas and activities that can be both mutually beneficial and boost Barbados’ forward thrust in a world that is being redefined by incredible technological developments.

Here are the Young Influencers I met when I went underground......

Roxanne GibbsEditor - In - Chief

(Editorial team)Editor-In-Chief – Roxanne Gibbs, Marketing Director – Paul Parris, Creative Director – Jonathan Reid,

Digital Director – Amanda Lynch-Foster, Advertising Director – Jane Doe, Editors – Harry Mayers, Angela CarterWriters – Roxanne Gibbs, Gayle Alleyne, Layout and Design – Bryan Frederick,

Photography – Joel Brooks, Jaryd Niles-Morris, Logan Thomas

Editor’s Note

– “WHY THIS MAGAZINE”

Cover Story

– “THE DEFINITION OF WHAT COOL IS”

Rocking your own gear first Are there any colours that you tend to shy away from, and if so why?I’m open to the spectrum but fluorescent colours are just way too much for me. They’re too gaudy, too invasive for my taste. Still though, if used more discreetly, fluorescents can have a cool effect. If you could choose one colour that should be in every wardrobe, what would it be and why?That single colour would be black. It looks good on everyone and you just can’t run out of cool ways to work with black.

As a child were you always into clothes or did you grow into your own fashion sense? I was rocking polka dots and boot cuts from age ten. Ha!Ha!Ha! What one piece of advice would you give to someone wanting to start a career in fashion designing?Love it, or leave it. An artist is always on. Work, play, life, all the same one thing – experience. So approach it all with love, or leave it alone. What do you wish you had known before entering the industry?From a business standpoint, I wish I had known that home here is not the money market regardless of the high interest and admiration. It’s more like bootcamp. It is a preparatory place for the global fashion market where the vision and financial value

for fashion really is. If I had been clear on that I would have focused more strictly on designing here and building a working base outside for a period of time. What inspires you? A better question would be “does anything not inspire you?” The form and aesthetic of the roosters in my backyard recently inspired a graphic icon I’m currently working on. Everything serves the artist, naturally. What matters to you most as a designer?That I keep an open mind and a drive to excel myself. An open mind allows me to explore, experiment, and innovate. With that, producing greater work is certain to occur.

What is the best perk in being a designer?

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The lone female member and lead vocalist of the Barbadian band Nexcyx, stands out on stage with her edgy style and soulful voice.

She recalls being creative from a young age - “I grew up in Britton’s Hill, St Michael, with my mother, grand and great-grandmothers. I started dancing from age four and I still attend dance class at Dance Strides Barbados [which is a probably a factor in how she keeps fit and trim]. I’m all about art, so when I’m not singing or songwriting you can find me writing poetry, sketching or making something.

Mahalia met her bandmates [Russell Padmore, Kris Clarke and Andre Clarke] four years ago while studying at University: “The guys asked me to sing with them at a poetry reading at UWI. We had a good vibe together and a similar desire.”

Over the last four years, the band has lost a couple of members, put out a couple of singles and for the past several months they have been focusing on a NexCyx EP, now completed and soon to be released.

And where does she sees herself five years down the line? “At some of the many international awards shows as a nominee”…. stealing the spotlight.

Mahalia Phillips is a spotlight stealer.