Fashion Garments

Express Editor-at-Large Keith Smith has been honoured this year with the Humming Bird Medal Silver.

He is among 21 National Award Recipients for 2009, with the highest award, the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, going posthumously to champion boxer Jizelle Salandy.

As has been the traditional end to Independence Day since 1969, the honourees will receive their medals tonight at the National Awards Ceremony at President’s House, St Ann’s.

Speaking on his selection yesterday, Smith said: “I am very appreciative that the work over the last 45 years seems to have been appreciated at various levels.”

During his career in print journalism, Smith has won several awards for excellence.

Jizelle Salandy, this year’s only recipient of the highest award, died on January 4 in a car accident.

Shortly after her death, 21 days shy of her 22nd birthday, Salandy was posthumously given an award entitled “The Eternal Champion” by the World Boxing Council (WBC) for many achievements in that field.

One of this year’s two other posthumous awards has gone to Gowriedath “Boyie” Hanooman, who in 2008 saved the lives of his wife, daughter and sister-in-law from a burning ambulance at Monroe Road, Cunupia.

Other top awardees this year, with the Chaconia Medal Gold were ethnomusicologist Dr Geraldine Roxanne Connor, for her contributions to culture and Ambassador His Excellency Dr Cuthbert Joseph for national development.

Panman extraordinaire Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, who has for years been recognised – both officially and unofficially – as the most prolific and talented in the area of steelpan, has been given the Humming Bird Medal Gold for culture.

Coming from a field in which many feel that local appreciation can wane too low, internationally acclaimed local fashion designer Heather Jones has also received a national award.

Speaking in a telephone interview from her home yesterday, Jones praised God and all whom she said have supported her through the years.

“I do appreciate it very much and I am happy that my sacrifices in this industry and my talent have been recognised,” an elated Jones told the Express.

“I accept this award on behalf of all of the fashion community.”

Jones has won several awards over her career so far, including the Pret-a-Porter Award at Fashion Week of the Americas in 2002, the Woman of Greatness Award in the US, an Award of Excellence and Best Caribbean Designer at the Caribbean Fashion Awards in 2008, Best Local Designer, also from Caribbean Fashion Week, and three Proclamations for Exceptional Service in various districts of the US.

She is also an awardee of The Rose Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Indigenous Caribbean Designs.

Recipients of the “Woman of Exceptional Greatness Award” are traditionally asked to add “WEG” when printing their names.

Thanking God for her success, Jones said news of the award was a “humbling” experience but it acted to re-inspire her.

“I woke up the next day re-energised and with a renewed spirit and fresh courage. This talent that I have been blessed with by God is bigger than life and it is a challenge every day. It is wonderful and reassuring to be appreciated for my work and to know that the highest office in the land is paying attention. This award is not just about me, it is about the whole fashion community. This is another of those things that will open more doors for us.”