Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine July 2019 | Page 275

Vincent was born in St. Lucia but now lives in Paris. Growing up, he always envisioned a life beyond his small island and those aspirations always included helping others and establishing a legacy for fashion in his home country while providing pathways for others to explore their creative and artistic sides. “I strive to help others grow as others have helped and supported me. My philosophy is always to pass it on and help others,” he shared. His is a familiar face on television and newspapers in France but his work in the field of fashion has extended beyond this country’s boundaries. In April this year, he received the Fashion Icon Award at the World Fashion Festival Awards held in Dubai. This event is considered to be the “Oscars for Art and Fashion.” Vincent is now working with the town of Kourou in French Guiana as Artistic Director for a project that will reap economic benefits to the country. He will be teaching the local people how to create products of value using their natural resources, and commercialize it so their country can be promoted on the international market via their work - hats, bags, garments, cosmetics and similar items that would be fashionable and attractive to the rest of the world. He is benchmarking a fashion and lifestyle event in the Amazon with the town of Kourou as the base, where designers, artisans and models will be given the opportunity to jumpstart business models that will ultimately create employment for them and give them international visibility. The project will culminate with French Guiana’s premier HotCouture Fashion Show followed by a two-day Fashion Trade Fair, bringing together fashion buyers, fashion magazines and different players in this sector. This Fall, Vincent will appear with the famous French actress, Natacha Amal in the theatrical comedy on French Broadway, “Hasta La Vista” which will be aired in France and throughout Europe. 2019 had been an amazing year for Vincent so far, but his humility does not allow him to boast. He modestly says, “I remain a timid, humble island boy at heart, who grew up playing amongst the natural backdrop of my Island St. Lucia.” CLICK HERE to read more about Vincent in this 2016 Mélange interview. “Vincent McDoom is Fashion “ CLICK HERE to read this enlightening article about Vincent McDoom’s life and work.