Up Close and… PURSENAL!

Hello Beautiful,

There is a new trend brewing in Paradise and this one is Personal to Me!

As a Fashion Girl, many would think my first love is clothes. But its actually shoes. And my second love is actually bags, and clutches! Then its clothes…

Well, I recently discovered my new favourite Bag and Clutch brand, Pursenal Paradiyse, and this is personal to Me because the designer and brand is all BAHAMIAN! Ya’ll know I love and represent the 242, My Bahamas!

D’Letha Nairn, caught my attention with her hand painted art, of some of my favourite “Bahamian Tings”, on contrasting coloured clutches on Instagram. A friend of mine had raved about the purses, but it wasn’t until I looked for myself that I was truly amazed. The purses reminded me of the Gucci Dionysus Bags and the Gucci Ghost Collection. You know the ones with the spray paint design that says “REAL Gucci”?! Yea… those! However, her design are more like art…wall paintings… on a purse!

The Flamingo Clutch was my first purchase. It’s a dark blue clutch with our national bird, The Pink Flamingo, painted on it. Soon as I got it, I was determined to wear it and I found it to be perfect for a causal night out outfit that weekend.

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Pursenal ParaDiyse Flamingo Clutch
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Rocking My Flamingo Clutch from Pursenal ParaDiyse at the OctoberFest Popcaan Concert in Nassau, Bahamas

The clutches are so funky and artistic, they add so much personality to a simple outfit. Oh! and they’re big enough to fit your cell phone, wallet, make-up compact, lipstick, and sunglasses!

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The next clutch I purchased was a white clutch with the Chain of Islands of The Bahamas painted in black! Black and White is a classy combination and the simplicity of the design is perfect for any outfit you may have in mind.

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Pursenal ParaDiyse Chain of Islands Clutch

I wore my second clutch to dinner and it complimented my little black dress and scrappy heels perfectly! Visit my Instagram page to see more pics of me rocking my clutches.

I intend to purchase a few more clutches, for myself and my friends and family! I may also give one away to my subscribers! Comment below and let me know if you’d like to win one.

For more designs and prices from Pursenal ParaDiyse click here.

Until next time Beautiful!

Xx,

Co’La

Pageant Fashion: Wrong? or Revolutionary!

Its been a few weeks since the Miss Bahamas Organization crowned its three Queens – Miss Universe Bahamas, Miss World Bahamas, and Miss Earth Bahamas, but the competition isn’t over yet! Those young ladies are just beginning their reign and now have to compete on the international stages for their respective titles.

The pageant was just as you may have imagined it: introduction, entertainment, winner announcements, eliminations, final q and a, then the crowning. The norm. But it was the fashion of the attendees that made the night more interesting than who will be crowned Queen.

Showing their support was former Miss Universe Bahamas queens Celeste Marshall and Lexi Wilson. They both wore beautiful evening gowns that could compete on the stage that night rather than sit in the audience.

Celeste Marshall – Miss Universe Bahamas 2012
Lexi Wilson - Miss Universe Bahamas 2013
Lexi Wilson – Miss Universe Bahamas 2013

Celeste wore a coral red strapless gown with embellishments around the waist, and an exaggerated pleat at the back of the dress. Lexi wore a white long sleeve backless gown, with sequins above the hips and a subtle train.

Co-Host of the Miss World Bahamas Pageant Ianthia Smith shined on the red carpet and stage in a metallic sequined dress with a sweetheart neckline and side split.

Miss World Bahamas Pageant Co-Host, Lanthia Smith
Miss World Bahamas Pageant Co-Host, Lanthia Smith

Not to be outdone, the men attending the pageant also showed up in style.

Zhivon Young, Miss Bahamas Organization Director of Event Planning
Zhivon Young, Miss Bahamas Organization Director of Event Planning

Zhivon Young, Miss Bahamas Organization Director of Event Planning wore traditional black and white, however with an off black textured jacket and slim fit black pants. He added detail to his ensemble with an oversized flower as his lapel pin and a large black bowtie.

Mr. Manhunt International Bahamas 2014 Davin Johnson
Mr. Manhunt International Bahamas 2014 Davin Johnson

Mr. Manhunt International Bahamas 2014 Davin Johnson went for a black on black ensemble, adding a small leopard bowtie for detail and donning his title stole.

Most attendees wore gowns and formal wear, like myself, who wore a vintage Herc & Lisa Fall Collection gown by Bahamian designers Cardell McClam & Christopher John.

242BlqRze in Herc & Lisa Collection by Cardell McClam and Christopher John
242BlqRze in Herc & Lisa Collection by Cardell McClam and Christopher John

However, others opted to dress simpler.

Addis Huyler, CEO of Sidda Communications and Creator of the Bahamian Icon Awards
Addis Huyler, CEO of Sidda Communications and Creator of the Bahamian Icon Awards

Mr. Addis Huyler, CEO of SIDDA Communications Group opted for simple but classic, in white and black with a red pocket piece, no necktie, now bowtie.

While others opted for a more avant-garde look.

Pageant Attendee in a stylish ensemble
Pageant Attendee in a stylish ensemble

Take in this ensemble for example, who would’ve thought to wear fringe and a brim hat to the pageant. Very unconventional, but is this wrong? Or revolutionary?

Its been the norm for pageant attendees to dress formal: gowns and tuxedos. However, recently its becoming clear that the audience is leaving the formal to the queens and bringing the fashion to the red carpet.

Who cares about a Dress Code… when there is Personal Style!