Keisha Edwards has been designing from a very young age. As a child growing up in Guyana, she would sketch outfits and ask her mother to make them for her. Born on September 8th, 1986, Keisha grew up in North Ruimveldt and then moved to East Ruimveldt at the age of 7. One of 8 kids, Keisha treasures her friendship with her siblings, and still reminisces on her childhood and the good times they had growing up in Guyana.
A talented designer, Keisha comes from a long line of seamstresses and tailors in her family. The seed was planted fully in High School when Keisha became motivated to design and create her own unique style of clothing to stand out from everyone else. “I think the trade is hereditary since for me sewing was self-taught… the art of designing came from God” Keisha shared.
Keisha holds a Sociology degree from the University of Guyana but her passion for fashion led her to pursue a Certificate in Dress Making from Carnegie School of Home Economics, and Advance Draping and Fashion Tailoring from the Burrowes School of Art in Georgetown. Keisha also attended the prestigious Parsons the New School for Design in New York City, where she studied fabric selection and design style.
Keisha’s fashion brand, ShaSha Designs, debuted at the 2008 Guyana Fashion Weekend. Her “Infusion” collection received great reviews that led to another participation in the event in 2009. By 2010 ShaSha Designs was equipped and ready to handle their first fashion show titled “Fierce Expressions” which became an annual event in Guyana on May 1st from 2010 -2012. ShaSha Designs’ motto is “Personality Risen to the Surface. Where traditional Rock meets modern wear. Unique is an understatement.”
In 2013, Keisha along with four other Caribbean designers had the opportunity to display a piece at the White House in Washington DC to commemorate National Caribbean American Heritage Month. Later in that day two pieces from her Shade collection were displayed at the Barbadian Embassy in Washington. Keisha was in DC for an award ceremony and was also invited to the Caribbean Style and Culture Fashion Show. Keisha is also fashion contributor for “Lady” Magazine and was the Costume Director for the international feature film “A Bitter Lime.”
Keisha’s goals is to make a positive contribution to the Fashion industry in Guyana and abroad, but especially in Guyana where, according to Keisha, “fashion is not recognized as an art form. ” Her hope is to help people with this understanding through the presentation of her work. Keisha’s focus is to create unique, comfortable and affordable clothing for everyone. Her next step is to have clothing readily available in stores and online. ShaSha Designs pieces are currently available at home in Guyana, and to the Caribbean, United States and UK.
To contact Keisha, visit her Facebook Page or follow her on Instagram @shashadesigns and Twitter @shashadesignz.
Great to know my Guyanese sisters are create art form through fashion, big up