For a region that has had such a challenging past; there should absolutely be no place for further division amongst Caribbean people. Yet still, ever so often you scroll on Twitter and the senseless ‘Caribbean Wars’ are exploding all over your timeline. These wars are characterized by islanders tearing down each other and pointing out the socio-cultural flaws of each nation; words cannot describe how embarrassing I find this frequent occurrence. Thankfully, there are creative entrepreneurs who are using their work as a means of bridging cultural gaps in the region – and one such person is Keisha Als.
Keisha Als is the founder and lead designer of Tropix Swim and we are in love with the way she fuses different elements of Caribbean culture into her swimwear designs. Keisha cerebrally names her pieces after noteworthy aspects of island culture and locations. Keisha’s most popular example of this is her piece, ‘Rasta Luv’, which is notorious for taking fabric like mesh that is usually associated with Jamaican culture and re-structuring it in a sexy, Trinidadian way. It’s in these subtle ways that Keisha helps to bridge cultural gaps in the region. Her design choices deter someone from thinking that any specific island has autonomy over any particular style or fabric.
The fundamental goal of Tropix Swim is to encompass the essence of her true island spirit of gratitude; but outside of being an incredibly talented designer, Keisha indeed has a lot to be grateful for, and one glance at her is indicative of this. The self-proclaimed ‘sun chaser’ is blessed enough to model her own swimwear based on the allure of her glabrous, porcelain skin and refined physique. The litmus test for any true Trinidadian designer is their ability to design carnival costumes, and Keisha has proven to be proficient in this area for over a decade – not only in Trinidad but also in Jamaica with bands such as Xayamca and Xodus. It would be silly of us not to catch up with Keisha and find out more about how she developed such a keen eye for design.
CARIB VOXX: What was your initial inspiration for wanting to get involved in design, and are you self-trained?
Keisha: “I was a late teen, freshly starting off my love affair as a young masquerader in Trinidad & Tobago Carnival. This undeniable spark inspired me to become involved beyond partaking in the mas. My expertise over the years came from unglamorous groundwork, lots of volunteering and lots of internships! I’ve had no formal creative training so it’s all been hands-on experience and exceptionally-skilled artisans to learn from.”
CARIB VOXX: Are you deliberately trying to bridge cultural gaps in the region with your design and fabric choices?
Keisha: “‘Tropix Swim’ is designed with intentions for the island girl to represent herself, or any woman wanting to savor our undeniable Caribbean sauce. Most of the styles are named after West Indian island spots and are meant to inspire a vibration from the minute you hear the name. Who doesn’t want to wear their portie in Portie!? Having been a carnival designer for over a decade, I’ve witnessed our regional export and intra-Caribbean travel lean on Carnival. Trinidad & Tobago Carnival, as the Mecca, has inspired an entire region and wider diaspora in the art of unique West Indian celebration. ‘Tropix Swim’ is just a bi-product of the pride and connection that the island-hopping masqueraders feel. ‘Tropix’ lovers wear their pieces parallel to carnival masqueraders, almost in reverence to a moment that makes them embrace their inner Goddess.”
CARIB VOXX: Why is the principle of gratitude so important to you?
Keisha: “As a creative entrepreneur you will quickly learn to be thankful for small mercies! This endeavor isn’t for the faint of heart. It can get grueling and tedious, but rewarding if you’re able to keep pushing, diligently working and adapting to changing times. Gratitude keeps me anchored in every aspect of my life; otherwise, it’s guaranteed dissatisfaction. The praises I give to the Most High for my daily blessings just grew with me as I matured. Giving thanks is a real thing!”
CARIB VOXX: Recently you contributed to the art direction for the Noise Cans x Mr Vegas visualizer for their single “STOMP” with the beautiful and talented Achsah Henry. How was it working with each of them, and is art direction something you see yourself doing more of?
Keisha: “My foundation in the creative atmosphere actually started off as a wardrobe stylist and photoshoot coordinator in my early 20’s. That skillset, coupled with innumerable photo shoots as a designer, makes these jobs feel like second nature to me. Achsah is the epitome of a young, vibrant Caribbean woman with a grasp on owning who she is. There are few ‘Tropix Swim’ campaigns without her! She was the perfect fit for Noise Cans, who hand-picked her as the visualizer’s choreographer/ dancer. Noise Cans is also a phenomenal representation of how Caribbean flavor can thrive in different territories, his being EDM. The visualizer was directed by Ikenna Douglas, who I instantly knew would be the one to execute with his always improving, sharp aesthetic. Creative work is always easier and special with a team like that! So much talent in this region, we haven’t even skimmed the surface . These are exciting times ! “
