Tronnel Pacquette, a Dominican fashion designer who resides in the United States, wants the youth to get more involved in appreciating the madras wear as he introduces regular clothing in madras form.
The Grandbay native who has been in the fashion designing industry for the past 20 years believes that his line will allow Dominicans to appreciate their culture even more.
And according to him, there is no fashion company in the world that’s utilizing madras and making it into everyday clothing.
“I wanted to basically do regular clothes. Like everyday clothes, but in madras,” he told Dominica News Online (DNO) during an interview. “Why in madras because I have noticed over the years that our culture has dwindled a bit.”
Pacquette continued, “People are not participating in a lot of cultural stuff, wearing the attire.”
He added, “What I want to do is rebuild the culture, get the youth more involved.”
He said while madras is not the most affordable fabric for the average person to purchase, what he has done is to find more creative ways to utilize the madras and make it affordable.
Pacquette is of the view that a lot of people are tired of wearing madras since it’s not their style, however, he believes that his fashion line will allow them to embrace wearing madras and take culture to a new level.
When asked if he plans to open a local business to introduce madras to the Dominican public, he said that he has thought of it and is looking for possible investors.
Pacquette’s message to the young entrepreneurs and to anyone with a passion for fashion, is to always believe that he/she can accomplish anything.
“You can accomplish anything,” he said. “People who will make you feel like you may never make it out of Dominica or anything of that nature, understand that when it comes to other people’s opinion, once it’s negative, ignore it.”
Pacquette went on to state, “Always listen to your inner self and you will definitely make it and never wish or hope for things to happen overnight. Never have that thought in your mind, because once you have that thought it’s already an automatic fail.”
He also advises the youth to focus on the fact that every day that goes by is an accomplishment by itself.
“Never think of getting rich quick,” he advised. “Always think of making a difference and if you get into a business that makes a difference, that’s an everlasting accomplishment.”
In 2021, Pacquette received international recognition with his nomination in six different awards in the Fashion and Music category of the Fashion Designer Awards hosted by ImagineMe TV Networks.
Those awards included included:
Designer of the Year Award
Hottest new Designer Award
Best Emerging Caribbean Designer Award
Best Swimwear Award
Urban Luxe Award
Most Creative Designer Award
The link to Pacquette’s website is http://finessedelaviton.fws.
His Facebook page is www.facebook.com/
They switching names and think they anonymous still.
Different comments sounding like the same person type it. Leave me alone tan! 
…and all you telling lies and think you’ll get away for it for ever.
Let me tell you eh yeah.
The level of stupidity being displayed is incredibly astonishing. Instead of coming with constructive criticism and seeing how as a people we can work with his vison you sad individuals choose to bash and throw shade on something that’s already being accepted and sold to the general public on the internet. While allu wasting allu time bashing and throwing shade under DNO article people like myself done come and buy already and probably still coming and buy because I honestly can’t stay off of the website. There’s a lot of beautiful things to look at and browse through. None of you can afford Balenciaga’s Authentic Items and probably don’t like their BIG BOAT style looking sneakers but all the hate for how ugly they are from naysayers who have no vocal power doesn’t change the fact that they have managed to rack up almost US$100,000,000 in Sales Revenue despite all the hate I myself hate to see it but I’m not IGNORANTLY going on their page to say…
100 million USD! Do come again! My god what a bunch of shysters these wannabe Dominican ‘entrepreneurs’ and general Skerrit worshipers are!!!!
Yes sah trust Dominicans!!. All you sad. Let it had been Nike or Louis Viton or any other big brand allu would buy it even if one item cost $800. But when it comes to supporting local allu hating. Allu have to create a problem. There’s nothing off about the brand. If you don’t like it it’s because it’s not for you. YOU not part of the YOUNG GENERATION. If allu had taken allu time to read ally would see his main goal and focus is target in the young people of Dominica. No but that what Dominicans do best, criticize. Who allu want allu supporting. I standing with the designer and his mission. As a Dominican Designer he was internationally recognized and that still not enough for allu. I see nothing wrong with his products. Allu like allu wobe wear allu wobe gassa live the sexiness for those that sexy aa. Is not his fault half of allu insecure about allu body.
#isaidwhatisaid. He took everyday wear and did something different. So what allu complaining about? Stupzzz I hate nonsense!!
Jealousy is really something else. Sad that you take your little “TWITTER FINGERS” to come under DNO articles to post and try your best to ridicule something that’s already taken off since 2019 with your little voice and comments that have no power over anything. You’ll stay in Dominica and Stop all the interested French people and Diasporas from buying and supporting and be vex I bought a flag dress and will continue to buy too.
I bet some of you on here talking all that crap but probably know him personally and therefore it is clear why these negative comments sound so PERSONAL. Fake Family? Fake friends? Unaccomplished Haters with no life and hate their own selves and life? Either way all of allu sad sad sad. One thing I know for sure is that all of allu in DOMINICA hiding making them comments maybe except for the most ignorant of them all NANCY TAYLOR but NANCY needs to deal with her psychological issues and stay off social media it not for old people like her. Trump type…
I have followed this news item with interest. The designer’s presentation has aroused both complement and concern from commentators.
Although I am anxious to promote Caribbean fashion designers, I confess that I find myself amongst those that have concern.
Beyond what I consider an unfortunate choice of models, it might help if Mr. Pacquette could enlighten us on his ratings (first, second, third, etc.) following “nomination” in no less than six different award categories in the Fashion and Music category of the Fashion Designer Awards hosted by ImagineMe TV Networks: nominations for which he “received international recognition”.
ROGER BURNETT- Stop pretending to be genuine you know you not. You and ALL the other ignorant, negative commenters under this article are beyond foolish and are clearly on some PERSONAL HATE-ON-THE-VIBES type of thing. LOL. I mean it plain to see that from the context of your comments. You have something PERSONAL against “Mr. Pacquette” don’t you Roger? SMH. You all look foolish bypassing the whole “CLOTHES” trying to gear your comments at meaningless things like what he place? HE DOE WIN HE DOE PLACE HE WAS NOMINATED! A pageant or something man? Lol. And those pointing out elements of a photoshopped model under a photoshopped outfit, to make yourselves feel better about you all’s own personal hate for your own selves and UNACCOMPLISHMENTS in life you throw shade but that doesn’t stop the thousands of Diasporans like me who interested in buying his items from buying it. You and all the rest are insignificant to this man’s success. Let’s not be ridiculous. Allu making me laugh…
@ Open-minded.
At least I am genuine enough to comment under my own name, for which you cited to be a failing in others.
I don’t know Mr. Pacquette and therefore cannot have anything personal against him.
However, for the last fifty years I have defended the integrity of all creative art forms in the Caribbean.
So what are you saying? Mr pacquette don’t have integrity?
Are you trying to get more people to side with you?
How about you contact the ImagineMe TV Network company yourself nuh? Since you are such an awesome private investigator find out from the Organization itself if they nominated him for anything. They have a website and contact information on it. Let me help you. Look I find the link for you https://www.imaginemetv.net/contact/ and send them people your concerns because apparently you’re insinuating that the designer’s accomplishments are INVALID, right? And he have them people name tossing around right? So when you find out you’ll let us ALL know what you came up with I’m sure everyone wants to know because “Roger Burnett” (fake name) have insight on something we don’t. SO SHARE IT!
well done my friend. Continue the leadership.
Madras is a colour-woven (yarn dyed) cotton fabric woven in tartan patterns. It originated in India, hence its name and there are no historical Amerindian or African connections.
But wait a while, Mellissa Skerrit, our First Lady, The Prime Minister wife, come and like the man Facebook Business Page so all of allu stop hating and making allu selves look foolish hiding behind allu screens with anonymous names. LOL. I bet allu will watch him rise in allu face tho. It’s people like that God does bless and prepare a table for in front of all enemies. God bless the Designer and his vision!
First Lady? Dominica hasn’t got a First Lady. Dominica might have a first but definitely not a lady. Love her dimples?
Jesorsss… Another IG-NANT (ignorant) anonymous hater hiding behind screen miss the whole point and focusing on “First Lady” *Shake My Head* boy you sad. She is the wife of the leader of the country who cares what you want to call her position in Dominica, Africa or the United States where they say “First Lady” which the whole world knows that but yeah I understand the level of ignorance you all maintain to uphold. Leave me where I be. Enjoy being happy to have fowl brains. *Shake My Head* That didn’t stop me from buying though.
Boy let me tell you something, a First Lady is something else! A person that commands respect! The wife of a despot and ……., in my book, can NOT be a First Lady. She could be first but she could never be a Lady. A Lady is something else. But you and several other men in our country would NOT know the difference.
They definitely don’t, they like a bit of rough…
Say tht to her face why don’t you. Don’t come hear and disrespect the lady.
Why you vexing on her dimples for you vex cause Yu don’t have? Her beauty burning you? All the person said was thT she liked the page. Despite how you feel towards her she’s still the first LADY an educated and sophisticated Lady. I wonder if you can say the same.
Instead of criticizing her you should learn a few things from her.
Like what? How best to dig for gold? I never worked in a shady establishment in NY but I have been told that one doesn’t find many ladies there and equally not much to learn from. YOU are just as shameless as here. Go and figure.
Bring her to me but tell her to leave her snipers at home. I’ll tell her a few home truth from NY. By the way, your school education isn’t much to shout home about. It’s spelt her not hear. OMG, could YOU actually be that person we are talking about??? I don’t believe it. Gucci…
This, like money, does not necessarily equate to refinement.
How many young people do you see dressed in the traditional wear during the independence season?
I know for a fact that it’s not many. The older people are the ones who mainly wear the traditional outfits most young people if you do see them wearing it they were probably pressured by an older family member into doing so or they may play a certain role during the season which requires them to have on the traditional wear. It’s always something simple.
Tell me,How may young people do you see going out of the way to create a traditional outfit for the independence season?
I salut the designer for his hard work! Well done!!
For those who don’t know what the Dominican flag looks like on a dress here you go. https://www.redbubble.com/i/dress/Dominica-Flag-by-FlagsOnStuff/80704747.V4WQ8.
Let’s here what you have to say now.
Maybe this is just me thinking clearly but… Internationally recognized I assume would mean it appeals to all in some kind of way. That would include all races so if the designer’s intention was to share our culture with other races that already embraced the culture because of the use of like models or by showing them what our culture would look like on them then yeah that making plenty sense man because it’s already my culture I don’t NEED to see madras on a black or local person for me to like the item. Also, I saw on the Facebook page saying that on all the flag looking designs, this is no way, shape or form the use of the flag of The Commonwealth of Dominica so that just kill some people noise. Watch the designs properly you can clearly see is not the flag that. So I guess the designer did actually do a pretty good job designing these items because apparently he fooled everybody that commented against it. Personally, I think it’s a great initiative and should be fully…
YOU thinking clearly? Never! You’ve inhaled to much of that red smoke.
you are absolutely right I don’t see me in there. They don’t even look like our people in the territories
NANCY TALOR – The Madras fabric is from India and was brought down by the IRISH to the Caribbean. There is NO primary connections to Africans or Africa. We embraced the WHITE MAN FABRIC and adopted it into our culture! IRISH PEOPLE! Hence their kilts and dress looking outfits on the men made in madras. Go and do some research and learn something. Stop making yourself seem foolish. And your children know nothing about nothing but what you imposed unto them, wearing it they know nothing about it, they just pleasing you, with you look at your children comment on Facebook. Making yourself look more ignorant publicly.
Well, Skerrit is of Irish stock, at least his name is Irish. Did his forefathers bring Madras to our islands.
No, they didn’t. But unfortunately they brought something to the island that we could easily do without. It would have been a blessing if they had landed somewhere in Patagonia instead of DA. Would have saved us lots of problems.
And I guarantee you are an older woman probably in your late 40’s or 50’s.
If you have young daughters show them the page and let’s hear what they have to say.
Frankly, I don’t see the next Coco Chanel. Sorry!
You don’t have to see the next Coco Chanel. The least you could do was support your own people.
Just like that? I don’t think so. I don’t support something from Dominica just for the sake it comes from DA. I require a little bit more. Having said that, I know at least 50% of Dominicans support something just because it has Dimples and is living on the island.
RICKY- you doesn’t see Coco much less for Chanel. Chupse! COCO CHANEL is NOT an Urban Luxe Fashion Company is a Classic Luxury Brand founded since 1910. And you didn’t read properly or at all obviously. You only came to throw shade, this had nothing to do with nothing. People like YOU shouldn’t NEVER ask why tings happen to you or happening to allu when it happens. Always forgetting GOD watching and protecting his own. Silly ignorant DNO comments will stop NOTHING. Go and do COCO MAKAK since you hating so hard to make sure he not successful!
Marjee!
Wow, we got ourselves yet another comedian. The contest is over, get back to work!
@Narrow-minded, you and other shameless members of the cabal and brown nosed suckers will never be able to fool me. I don’t need all your money, nor do I need the rubber stamp of the ‘first’ family to succeed in my enterprises. When and only when, Dominica has rid itself from all you parasites, shysters and false prophets shall I return and assist building a country that is inclusive for all standup citizens, free of corruption, free of unfairness and ruled by law and order.
Something seems very off.
My thoughts as well
IF We Knew Better I more believe is your mindset that off. Tell de Prime Minister wife to remove her like on their Facebook page because something off!
Don’t bother with her, she has a weird taste anyway!
How is her taste weird?
1) the lady know fashion
2) it can never be her taste in men you talking about. Cause you might be one of tht wouldnt waste time to get with her husband. Stupz!
Take your pick!
The only thing off might be the body shape of the people who find a problem with the designer and his clothing’s.
Age 35 I’m still slim and trim. Leave the outfit For the young people and those that take care of themselves well enough to still wear sexy clothes. Stupz.
Allu need to go back and read the article.
If you wouldn’t you would not be one of his chambermaids. But thanks for pointing it out anyway. BTW what’s the going rate nowadays?
You can say that again. Too much ‘First’ Lady and ‘First’ Family I’m smelling. This people for sure are utterly shameless and don’t have an ounce of dignity!
How about using models that actually look like Dominican people? Are our dark skin and kinky hair not appealing enough for his market.
I don’t think these people actually modelled the clothing. It looks like the clothes was photoshopped on to stock photos.
Well said Eagle-Eyed.
All too often, the intrinsic beauty inherent in those of African descent is modified, and thus diminished, to conform to a westernized concept of beauty.
For fifty years the paintings and sculptures in my series “Daughters of the Caribbean Sun” have echoed Marcus Garvey’s belief that:
“The colour black, natural hair style, and hitherto disparaged Negroid features, constitute a new standard of beauty.”
Eagle-Eyed don’t try that. A joke man? I guess if you looking to buy is not an item you looking for to buy is the perfect model you looking for to buy right not the clothes? You more sounding like you hating. All now Lacoste and Polo making and selling Madras shirts and the majority of them models white. Go on their website and tell them how you feel about that nuh while you at it. Allu wearing white people clothes everyday but vexing when white people wearing our madras? SMH. Is not want we want our culture to penetrate other cultures nuh?
That was the best you can come up with?? I see you and your husband wearing white people clothes and designer ones at that. My question, do the people of DA pay for all you exclusive white people taste and extravaganza? I suspect they do! I wonder when the people finally decide that all you much to expensive for us: first class travel, first class hotels, new palace, new luxury limousines, designer clothes, the finest food…. and all paid for by the tax payer. That can’t be it, when some people still live under tarpaulin and can barely afford to feed themselves.
These comments on here are so ignorant. This was not a photo shoot where the designer hand picked models. The person used a website where the models were provided and they just photoshopped their design on the models like someone else mentioned. I love the jacket, and I appreciate your hustle! I think that a lot of Dominicans in the diaspora will be proud to wear these. I know I will!
Then say is only white people that racist.
This isn’t the Sisserou parrot (Amazona imperalis) though, can we get the original official flag of Dominica if you look at the Sisserou parrot it does not look like what is on the current flags going around all over Dominica
The booklet, Dominica: Symbols of Nationhood, contains flag etiquette wording to the effect that the flag of Dominica is a sacred symbol and should never be used as wearing apparel, adornment, or superimposed on any article of clothing.
Copies of the booklet may be obtained from the Office of the President.
The Flag of Dominica is not in Madras!!!
Respect it.
Secondly..seems you have not been to Dominica in years to see our people dressed up during Creole days and Independence and other activities where the outfits are won…and a little knowledge Is good. Years years ago the Wob Duet was made in flowery material. Madras is beautiful but it has not dwindled.
@ Love 1: Sir Francis Bacon wrote, ‘Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man.” Kindly read the article again, look at the photos of the models, read my comments, and then wheel and come again. Thank you.
My point entirely, I am sure the designer meant no harm but the approval of the authorities is required to use our symbols this way less theIr image be cheapened. Never should they be commercialised. He has no copyright to the design of our flag.
May be no official copyright approval. You know how it is in DA, somebody knows the pet dog of a friend who knows the plumber of the cousins second wife… You get my drift.