Antigua and Barbuda
Miranda - Accessorizing the Positive
- Details
- Fashion & Beauty
- Sunday, 03 January 2010 05:55
- By D Francis
Her walk and talk exude confidence and sophistication, and whatever she puts her hands and heart to shines. Chatting with Miranda Askie of Miranda Designs is an intriguing look into this fitness instructor, make-up artist, model, jewelry maker, fashion designer, dancer... and the list goes on.
Her passion for fashion sprung up at an early age. “My mom was into sewing and I used to go on my mom’s sewing machine tampering with it, creating pieces here and there," she said. "However, I got caught up in the fitness world from way back when the famous Barrow's was on Long Street."
This fitness instructor also entered a few amateur fitness competitions overseas, and did pretty well representing Antigua & Barbuda. She also modeled for Calvin S and taught fitness classes for the models who attended his school.
Askie moved to the US to complete a fitness course and got certified in Pilates and other disciplines.
After a company she worked for in the US scaled down, a few of her friends who knew she had an interest in jewelry-making encouraged her to further her knowledge in that area and she started classes. 
“One particular friend I met in the US, Betty Lestello, I could never forget her, she was the driving force behind my furthering my career as she too was interested in this sort of thing. She said I had an eye for colour and I learned quickly about the art of jewelry making and that even pushed me further," Askie said.
She pursued that career with a passion, covering subject areas such as Precious Metal Clay (PMC) and soldering classes.”
After spending some time in the US, she was ready to come home, but not without securing a job. With her sister's help she started freelancing at Carlisle Bay and has been there even since, conducting fitness classes, which she also does at other establishments.
Askie's other business interests spring from the comfort of her home, and although she doesn’t have a shop yet, a number of businesses carry her jewelry, including the newly opened Sugar Ridge Hotel, Mill Reef, and Beau et Bell at Heritage Quay.
Although keen on general fashion, including bags, hats, scarves and elegant dresses, her greatest passion is making jewelry. She explains, “I am inspired to make jewelry into fashion and make something fabulous and elegant. The things I am doing now are just for my shows. My mom is an excellent seamstress and she cuts fr
eehand, so she plays a major role in my clothing line. As I keep growing I don’t want to be called a seamstress, I want to design for classy events. I don’t want to be a collector of fabric, I want to deal with high-end fashion on demand. That’s what I am aiming for, to have this large fashion house with a touch of class and sophistication that can still meet the demands of general society."
Asked about prospects for Miranda Designs in 2010, she beams, “I see a bright future down the road whether it’s here in Antigua or elsewhere. I hope to sow a deep rooted seed that will spring rich fruits for ages to come. I want to keep having bigger and bigger dreams and I love what I do with a passion so I am always looking to do it bigger and better."
She says it’s her pleasure to work on beautiful creations with jewelry until the wee hours of the morning sometimes. "I get the satisfaction when someone goes 'Ah that’s lovely, I want one.' It brings a smile and comfort to me,” Askie says.
Just before I wrapped up I asked what she thinks about fashion in Antigua and Barbuda. She replied, "I would like to see fashion and fashion shows get back to the days when fashion was classy and sophisticated and still attractive and entertaining at the same time. There doesn’t have to be a lot of exposure and skin to make people look good in fashion. I think we have become too Americanized, we need to promote our own, hold our own, though it’s good to view the field and see what’s happening out there.
"And another thing, there are a lot of modeling schools here attracting a lot of young girls, They should know what they are going there for. Is it to learn how to walk, to look good or to just be popular? Some of these young women must be told that modeling is not for everyone. Maybe you are not suited for modeling but you can take a beautiful still picture modeling a necklace, a pair of shoes, a hairstyle, or a bracelet - all that is fashion as well.."
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Askie also plans to bring a new exercise clothing line to the fore, which would reflect being unique, sexy and in charge. "I love to look good, see people look good wherever they go, whatever they do, and I am a living example of that,” she said.
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5 Comments In This Article
RD
I met you in Antigua at the gym in Jolly Harbour. I visted your boutique in Sugar Ridge and bought several items. You are extremely talented and I love your work. Would you like to have a jewelry show on Martha's Vineyard? I would love to host one for you at my house for my friends. I believe you would do very well. Are you planning a trip to Nanntucket this summer. Pehaps you could plan a few days on Martha's Vineyard. Let me know if you are interested.
Le e Van Allen
Lee Van allen
CONGRADULATIONS
AINSLEY HARRIS
Jan
Congrats
Joy
Well Done
steve
Steve M
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