It takes a high level of bravery, adaptability, and mental fortitude to travel across time zones to a part of the world you have never been to before. Caribbean culture is deemed prestigious and expansive because our people possess the requisite character traits to go anywhere in the world and function with a spirit of effervescence. Trinidadian brand consultant, event curator, and content creator Amy Katherine Inglefield is a shining example of the power of adaptability.
Inglefield is a woman who prides herself on curating and executing pristine visual concepts and eye-catching aesthetics. In keeping with the spirit of the authentic Trinidadian woman, Inglefield exudes tremendous confidence in the way she asserts herself to the world, and when the opportunity arose to move to Western Australia, she revered it with every fiber in her body.
Inglefield is the quintessential boss babe! It would have been remiss of her to possess the stylistic sensibilities she has and only apply them to working for someone else; hence why she co-founded her own agencies, The Social Club Inc. and The Garden Parties Company. As a creative entrepreneur, her responsibilities include managing the execution of pop-up cocktail and networking events targeted to young professionals. Additionally, she works cerebrally to develop concepts for premium brands such as Prosecco, Avión Tequila, Absolut Elyx Vodka, Stolichnaya Vodka, Campari, and Disaronno. Her primary objective is to showcase the versatility of these products to potential customers, and it is her sublime ability to conjure alluring aesthetics that gives Inglefield the ability to do this so effortlessly.
Inglefield’s academic journey, challenges the frivolous notion that everyone who is successful has to be a college graduate. Even though she was unable to complete her educational pursuit at The University Of Waterloo, the undying sense of determination she possesses has enabled her to ascertain a high level of respect in the field of branding and image consultancy. Even before she co-founded The Garden Parties Company, Inglefield built her reputation working for companies such as Planting Seeds Caribbean Ltd, Mad House Alternative Marketing Ltd and ESPN.
Inglefield is a modest but high-minded tastemaker who prefers to influence from behind the camera but is still equipped to make an indelible impact anywhere she goes – once she is in possession of her suitcases and stilettos.
CARIB VOXX: As a female leader and tastemaker, how important do you think adaptability is and how has it benefited you since moving to Australia?
Inglefield: “My life has been FULL of curveballs, lots of disappointments, and unexpected failures – so I’d say that I’ve learned to manage challenges quite well. They teach you a lot about your capabilities and your strengths. That being said, while I am comfortable going into uncertain situations, I found this a particularly difficult challenge. Starting from scratch, being so isolated from everything and everyone I know, I learned a lot about what makes me tick, what I desire to be authentic, what makes me happy and inspired…although I thought I already knew all of these things, perhaps it served as a reminder of such. Throwing myself in uncertain situations was the easy part; it was making real connections that was difficult. I realized a fair bit into my stay here that I was limiting myself in certain ways, and I needed to free myself of that to find my niche. It took some time, but I did manage to make some incredible friends. I am forever grateful for the pure connections made here, which is a rarity. I also know for the next time, where I need to push myself more.”
CARIB VOXX: Being so far away from Trinidad must be difficult, but what have you found refreshing about Australian culture thus far?
Inglefield: “People are not afraid to be themselves. They are hard-working people, but also incredibly laid back. The people I’ve met (mums, dads, students, business owners, executives, etc) make their own rules and stick by them, and aren’t driven by societal expectations. As someone who has always created her own rules, I appreciate anyone who lives that way.”
CARIB VOXX: How does traveling expand your perspective towards branding and aesthetics in general ?
Inglefield: “It’s interesting to see how other countries view branding opportunities and how they push the boundaries with imagery and language. It’s helped inspire the new business model for my digital marketing business ‘The Social Club Inc.’ to a more forward-thinking and inclusive model. It’s made me very aware of how conservative and tunnel-vision we are when it comes to business and marketing brands in the Caribbean.”
CARIB VOXX: Tell us about the evolution of your digital marketing agency, The Social Club Inc., and the concept behind it.
Inglefield: “‘The Social Club’ started off as a social media management and consultancy company and has evolved into more of a ‘membership community’ where businesses and individuals can have access to resources to successfully build their brands on social media. As a Club Member, you have access to audit workbooks, monthly content schedules, our caption vault, and our photo bank which is updated with new content on a monthly basis. You will also have access to us 24/7 with any questions or help you might need for your business. I found that small businesses who cannot afford to take on a full-time social media manager, and are happy to do the posting themselves, just need some guidance and with our affordable packages. You get just that and more.”
CARIB VOXX: Your grandmother, Katherine Inglefield, was the co-founder of the first all-female advertising agency in Trinidad. With this as part of your family legacy, do you feel any pressure?
Inglefield: “I don’t feel pressure to live up to having an agency in any way. My grandmother (we called her Kit-Kit) encouraged everyone to find their creativity and what makes them happiest. What would make her most proud is that I know who I am, that I live my life with integrity and empathy, and I always say yes to great adventures! She was an astounding woman. I admire and miss her so much, I can barely put it into words.”
CARIB VOXX: How has growing up in a beautiful country like Trinidad & Tobago influenced your overall taste in aesthetics?
Inglefield: “For the most part, I have the greatest appreciation for all styles, colors, and shapes. Although how I dress now I consider incredibly boring and tame, there is a side of me that you can see in my styling work that is very influenced by the multicultural environment of T&T. I’m a super fan of mixing patterns and prints and unexpected color combos. There is something so inherently beautiful about a country that embraces all of the cultures and religions that it’s made up of and that has influenced the way I style people and events.”
CARIB VOXX: Tell us about The Garden Parties Company.
Inglefield: “‘The Garden Parties’ is an idea that emerged from a conversation that I and two other girlfriends (Valentina Pollonais and Sophie Barber) had one night over cocktails. We wanted to create an experience for people to find their new favorites by trying several cocktails without spending an actual bomb. So, we hosted all-inclusive themed events where our guests can taste several types of cocktails throughout the night. It also became a great testing ground for brands to try new ways of delivering their products. The brand is still alive and kicking, but we are currently just navigating around covid like everyone else.”
CARIB VOXX : Prosecco or Champagne?
Inglefield: “I appreciate and love both!”
CARIB VOXX: How did you come up with the name, Suitcases & Stilettos?
Inglefield: “I’ve always had a thing for catchy phrases and it just came to me one day. I thought it was a reflection of my life at the time, and it just stuck.”
CARIB VOXX: What are your favourite pair of stilettos, and what do heels do for a woman’s confidence?
Inglefield: “I don’t have a favorite pair; all of my stilettos I’ve carefully picked and love for different reasons, although I would say, my most used are my neutral beige ones. I’m short, so they make my legs look longer than the flight to Australia from Trinidad. There’s something powerful about being eye-level with the people you’re speaking to. I do believe that extra inches give anyone extraordinary confidence. Some studies show there is a correlation between height and confidence. It also turns out, the more confident and assertive you are, the more likely you are to get your way. Who doesn’t want to be noticed and get their way?”
