The Opening of Parliament in The Bahamas happens only once every five years. Much like Inauguration Day in the United States, this day is filled with pomp and pageantry. As Commonwealth citizens under a constitutional monarch, we are independent, but the Queen remains our head of state, and Bahamians pretend they’re at Buckingham Palace every chance they get. Think about the hats and fascinators you loved critiquing at the Royal Weddings and multiply that with extra for a vision of what the Opening of Parliament looks like in The Bahamas.
The incoming government won on with the platform “A New Day,” and that it was. For the first time, we saw women with pantsuits, members of parliament with shoulders exposed, and gentlemen who decided they would not be wearing traditional coattails.
As for yours truly, the day was new, but my outfit wasn’t! Someone jokingly told me, “I’m disappointed in you! I thought your hat would extend from a side of the ballroom to the next.” I laughed because I’m so extra that in normal circumstances, it probably would have. Here’s the scoop on what lead to me being a repeat fashion offender at the biggest fashion event in town.
Up until late Friday night, I had no clue we were going to the Opening of Parliament. I serve a miracle-working God, and I probably could have pulled something off in 4 days, but I was working all weekend and all Monday and didn’t even have time to think about what I’d wear until Tuesday. I spent the day thanking my seamstress Leila for her talents as she tried to alter two dresses I found in my closet. God bless her efforts for all she did, but still, none of the looks were working for me. KLM designs pulled off a bomb hat for me to match one of those dresses, and I can’t wait to rock it, but again, the dresses weren’t working.
When @bethlaurenbrides asked me what I was wearing so she could do my makeup at 5 in the morning, I gave her a look that I often do, and she responded, “You don’t know”?
“Nope. Let’s go with a neutral face, and I trust that between the makeup and the voice of God, I’ll be inspired.”
As soon as she got started, I prayed, “God, the small things that concern me, concern you, please open my eyes to see what I’m missing. God, help me to find the right dress to celebrate the beauty that is my country and the joy that is the moment for so many of our friends and family.” When Beth was getting ready to put my blush on, this dress popped into my mind. I had just picked up the colorful headband on a whim the Monday before from go-to hat lady Eileen because I thought it was beautiful. Putting them on together felt so right, and I thanked God that I could walk confidently as a repeat outfit offender.
I was initially tempted to wear purple open toe-heels and a colorful purple bag. I decided to tune down my accessories instead. The dress already spoke for itself. The headband, though smaller than my friend would have liked, was different and playful. Given the seriousness of the occasion, the accessories needed to be nice but not flashy. I dressed up the gown with closed-toe rose gold heels, a rose gold bag and brown gloves that picked up the bronze in Carlos’ tie.
I was initially tempted to wear purple open toe-heels and a colorful purple bag. I decided to tune down my accessories instead. The dress already spoke for itself. The headband, though smaller than my friend would have liked, was different and playful. Given the seriousness of the occasion, the accessories needed to be nice but not flashy. I dressed up the gown with closed-toe rose gold heels, a rose gold bag and brown gloves that picked up the bronze in Carlos’ tie.
P’lage (Rudolph Brown) has been hooking me up with makeup and beautiful dresses for years. He was a part of the dynamic duo that dressed Ms. Bahamas Universe Shauntae Miller earlier this year. I loved the creative twist he put together for the new Member of Parliament for Marathon, Lisa Rahming.
Theodore Elliot is a genius. We know this. He’s been featured at Buckingham Palace, so it only made sense that he dressed seven of the women attending the opening of Parliament like Queens. I’m crushing on these looks designed for Pia Glover Rolle and Jo-Beth Colby.
Gillian Curry nails it every single time. She has never designed something I didn’t love. Seriously, Remilda Rose is where it’s at.
I’ve wanted to work with David Rolle of Raphelita since I wore a headpiece he designed for the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival several years ago. He’s also the young visionary keeping Bahamian luxury brand Harl Taylor Bag front and center. I love this look he did and the bag he designed for the wife of the Prime Minister, Ann Davis.
Elaborate headpieces are standard for the opening of Parliament. I have to shout out two of my favorites who made sure the women slayed, and a third who I didn’t know made hats but will definitely be making some for me in the future.
Kya at KLM Designs worked magic on several headpieces. The picture below is just an example of her capacity.
Gail at Shop Simply Fascinating is also a fantastic milliner who was willing to work with me and my last-minute dilemma. She designed several fabulous pieces sported at the opening, including this beauty on my good Soror Patasha. Patasha’s dress was done by internationally known Bahamian designer Phylicia Ellis, another artist I look forward to working with.
Nashon Rolle made his New Day Debut as a High-End Milliner and Fashion Consultant, creating a one-of-a-kind hat for the wife of the Prime Minister, Ann-Marie Davis.
What were your favorite moments and looks? Be sure to tell me in the comments but before you go, let’s embrace the fabulousness that is the Honourable Minister for Grand Bahama and Member of Parliament for Pineridge, Ginger Moxey, and her Bottega bag!
