The opening show of this year’s Bermuda Fashion Festival will honour a former collaborator and contributor.

The 2018 Maybelline Evolution Retail Show, which will kick off the festival tomorrow, has been dedicated to Ronnie Baksh, who died in May.

Lamont Robinson, of the JaKoma Group, one of the Festival partners, said: “I don’t think the Festival would be the success it is today if we hadn’t had Ronnie on board all these years as a collaborator and contributor.

Mr Robinson, who was a close friend of Mr Baksh, added: “He brought so much to the table with his great ideas and guidance.

“I can’t think of a better way to honour our friend than by dedicating Sunday night’s runway show to him.”

Mr Baksh was a long-time participant in Evolution with his menswear store, The Edge. With a keen eye for detail and fine tailoring, Mr Baksh became an integral part of the festival behind the scenes.

Organisers made the announcement as they prepared to start this year’s festival with the show that will feature 13 local retailers.

Danilee Trott, executive producer of the festival, said: “The name Evolution has become synonymous with the Festival.

“From day one, back in 2010, before this event was ever branded as the Bermuda Fashion Festival, we featured the local retailers and salons around Bermuda.

“It’s all about community involvement and giving boutiques and salons a platform where they can show the public what they have to offer in their stores.

“Over the years, the festival has ‘evolved’ to include an international aspect, yet Evolution still remains as one of the biggest highlights of the festival and an ode to our local community, especially because we offer it as a free event.”

More than 150 local models will showcase the latest styles and trends available in Bermuda’s stores.

Paula Clarke, CEO of longtime participant Gibbons Company, said: “Everyone in fashion retail is excited about the upcoming Evolution Fashion show this weekend.

“Fashion teams, designers, buyers, models, make-up artists, hair stylists and production specialists have spent months planning and preparing for this annual event, now in its eighth year.

Ms Clarke, who is also chairwoman of the Chamber of Commerce’s retail division, added: “Bermuda should take pride that the City of Hamilton is hosting this world-class fashion event.

“By industry standards the Evolution Retail Show is top notch, the event provides a spectacular platform to showcase the best of fashion, fashion accessories, style and most of all fashion attitude.

“It takes the best Bermudian models to pull this off and we know we have the diversity in looks in our community to accomplish it. “

Ms Clarke said: “Does fashion matter you may ask? Absolutely it does! Clothes and how we wear them defines us, it provides individuality, gives us a glimpse of our personality, tells the world we have a meaningful part in it, gives us confidence; fashion is a vital part of our daily life.

“We are so lucky Bermuda, the Evolution Retail Show, right in the centre of Hamilton with one of the most beautiful harbours in the world as a backdrop.”

The event will begin at 6.30pm under the mega tent in No 1 car park. The public is encouraged to bring chairs and enjoy this free community event.

A limited number of preferred and VIP seating is available for purchase on www.ptix.bm.

For more information about the Bermuda Fashion Festival, visit www.bermudafashionfestival.com