Origins Guyana Fashion Festival: storytelling through fashion – Nachle Designs founder

…says it was a showcase of cultural roots blended with contemporary fashion

Nachle Designs, founded by Hashim Alli and Melicia Partab in 2014, was the chosen designer label to officially open Origins Guyana Fashion Festival, the recently concluded three-day event to highlight the creativity and originality of more than 40 Guyanese designers.
“It was truly an honour having the opportunity to present our collection as the opening designs at the three-day event. The festival did an amazing job of highlighting Guyanese creativity and craftsmanship, and it was inspiring to connect with fellow designers, models, and fashion enthusiasts who are all passionate about pushing the boundaries of style. The energy, the feedback, and the sense of community were truly motivating. I left feeling more inspired than ever,” Alli told the Guyana Times during a recent interview.
He added that as a designer for more than 10 years, the Fashion Festival went beyond the runway, and reminded him of the power of storytelling through fashion; how deeply clothing can connect with culture, identity, and community.
“I was especially moved by the way the event celebrated Guyanese heritage, while also pushing for innovation and global relevance. Collaborating with other creatives and receiving direct feedback from such a diverse audience gave me new perspectives on how I want to evolve my designs. It reaffirmed my commitment to authenticity and inspired me to keep creating with both purpose and passion,” he added.
Upon the conclusion of the rewarding event, the couple believe that it was a beautifully curated and empowering initiative, and expressed gratitude to the organizing team and the government of Guyana for executing such a perfectly balanced showcase of cultural roots blended with contemporary fashion.
“The level of talent—from the designers, to the models, stylists, and organizers—was truly impressive. Everything felt intentional: from the storytelling on the runway to the networking opportunities off it. It wasn’t just a fashion show, it was a celebration of identity, creativity, and unity. Events like this are vital for our growing industry, and deserve to be on the global radar.”
Alli further stated that not only did the initiative create a unified body of empowered creatives, but it allowed for networking with some of the icons of the fashion industry.
“The highlight for us was to tell our story of our new collection, which, for us, has pushed us outside of our comfort zones while breaking stereotypes. ‘Haamare Pream Kahaanee’ meaning ‘Our Love Story’ is not just another collection, it is us breaking the stereotype of black not being a beautiful colour to include in your wedding. We use black as our base colour to create our wedding collection, saying that it is OK and not tabooed. We got married wearing black, Melicia wore a beautiful black Indian gown while Hashim sported a black sherwani; all giving that Mughal Affair which was designed by designer Jason Shurland.”
He reiterated that the execution of the event was flawless and took a lot of hard work but at the end it was truly magical. The inclusion of the daily workshop, he added was commendable.
When asked if he had to make one change about its execution, Alli, who is also the franchise holder of the India Guyana Brand, responded, “It will definitely be an extension. Truly to take this and make it into a week-affair, that way giving designers more exposure and opportunities for participating in the workshops and panel discussion.”
He added that the festival has succeeded its objective as one that showcased Guyana’s rich fashion, culture, and creativity. “It delivered on all fronts. It provided a dynamic platform for designers to express their narratives through fashion, while also encouraging dialogue around heritage, innovation, and sustainability. The audience engagement, media coverage, and diversity of talent all pointed to a strong impact. Most importantly, it created a sense of pride and connection within the fashion community, which is crucial for growth and global recognition.”
The origin of Nachle Designs was an internal motivation. It began after Alli and Partab were constantly commended for their personal dressing style. The design was never meant for the public but after the positive feedback, they created the only Indian labelled brand in Guyana that caters to unique couture, thereby giving the populace an alternative.
While there are lots of phenomenal role models in the industry, they look up to icons from the legendary Derek Moore and Sonia Noel, to the trailblazer Keisha Edwards. “But it is the powerful Indian legend Manish Malhotra that takes the crown for us.”
Over the past years, the designs have been celebrated and showcased in various parts of the world, including Jamaica, Trinidad, the USA, and India, but more importantly at the Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss India Worldwide Pageants.
Nachle Designs was launched in July 2014 in observing the awareness of sickle cell anaemia in Guyana, and has since taken off. It is noteworthy that each collection has its own name, such as ‘Haamare Pream Kahaanee’, which was showcased at the recent fashion festival.
“Fashion, for us, is a form of expression; it’s how we visually communicate who we are, and how we feel. It’s not just about outfits or trends; it’s a reflection of culture, identity, and creativity,” Alli told the Guyana Times.
As the brand is gaining in popularity, the founders foresee an expansion and growth by entering the international market and executing more ready to wear pieces. They also believe in collaborating with other designers, since it is the tool for taking the industry in the right direction.
But with designing comes a bundle of challenges, including sourcing raw materials. “This is – if not one of the major challenges we face. But working around it and sourcing from suppliers within helps sometimes,” he disclosed.
When asked about imparting the knowledge of designing to others, Alli explained that by participating in projects such as Origins, they both participated in the panel discussion to express their views and experiences to younger designers and people of interest in the art.
For the young and upcoming designers, Alli advised, “Never stop. Always believe in your craft and keep perfecting it. One day the opportunity will present itself to you and you must be prepared and willing to accept it with open arms.”