Beauty in Black star Crystle Stewart has put Caribbean fashion in the spotlight, wearing a look by Caribbean designer Andrea Wilson for a photoshoot in the British Virgin Islands.
Stewart wore a piece from the Guyanese-born designer’s Eruption Collection — a gold and blue ripped maxi skirt paired with a matching hooded crop top with a deep V-cut front, along with a gold bikini — for the shoot at Long Bay Beach Resort in the West End of Tortola.
“She looks stunning,” shared the swim and resort wear designer from her Tortola studio and boutique. “The look captures the essence of Caribbean glamour, pairing resort wear with the crystal-blue waters of the British Virgin Islands in the backdrop — that is Caribbean luxury. “
The collection takes its inspiration from the volcanic eruptions that shaped the Caribbean islands, translating that influence into resort wear designed for the region’s sun, sea and landscape.
For Wilson, the shoot brings together several elements of the fashion world she has spent a decade building around her Islander Swim Collection: Caribbean design, resort wear, destination imagery and an international audience.
The star of the hit Netflix show, produced by Tyler Perry and now in its third season, wore the resort wear during her visit to the BVI as celebrity host of the territory’s 16th Annual Summer Sizzle BVI in July.
The photographs were taken by acclaimed New York City photographer Michael William Paul, with the shoot produced by MWP Studios.
Wilson has lived in the BVI for 25 years. Her Islander Swim Collection focuses on swimwear and resort pieces that draw on the Caribbean setting and her love of the Amazon in her homeland.
Over the years, she has made appearances beyond the BVI, with shows in the Caribbean and Los Angeles. This year, she made her debut in New York, the fashion capital, with her “I Landed In The Big Apple” show during New York Fashion Week in February.
She also presented her first runway show at Origins, Guyana’s premier fashion event, in July, connecting her work with the country where her Caribbean story began.
Stewart’s choice to wear Wilson’s Eruption Collection comes at a moment when the designer is expanding the reach of her Caribbean fashion label while remaining rooted in the BVI.
The international attention surrounding Beauty in Black has also given Stewart a substantial global audience. The Miss USA 2008 winner shared moments from her trip in the BVI with her social media following, reaching an audience of nearly 5.6 million, with more than 2.6 million unique interactions.
Her itinerary included a private sailing excursion to Virgin Gorda, with a visit to the Baths and lunch at Top of the Baths.
“The British Virgin Islands were absolutely magical. From the fashion and photography to sailing through the islands, every moment was a celebration of beauty, creativity and positive energy. I’m so grateful to Summer Sizzle BVI for such an unforgettable experience,” said Stewart shared in a recent statement released by Summer Sizzle.
Wilson thanked “Stewart for choosing The Islander Swim Collection for the photoshoot, and to Summer Sizzle Founder Terry Donovan for helping make this moment possible.”
Terry Donovan, Founder and CEO of Summer Sizzle BVI, said: “Crystle was the perfect celebrity host for Summer Sizzle BVI,” adding: “Her star power, her connection to Beauty in Black, and her genuine appreciation for the British Virgin Islands helped bring an incredible international spotlight to the destination.”
Summer Sizzle has provided a platform for Wilson and other Caribbean designers to present their work alongside international fashion talent, helping to position the BVI as a setting for regional creativity.
For Wilson, Stewart’s photoshoot is another step in a decade-long fashion journey, one that began in the Caribbean and is increasingly reaching international audiences.
Photography & Production @michaelwilliampaul @mwpstudios
Photography & Production @michaelwilliampaul @mwpstudios
