Minister Walrond: No Infringement, Only Missed Opportunities in Fashion Festival Debate

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, recently defended the Irfaan Ali government against accusations of intellectual property infringement made by Marrissa Wilson, a New York-based Guyanese fashion designer. 

These accusations arose in the wake of the launch of the “ORIGINS: Guyana Fashion Festival,” a government initiative aimed at promoting and enhancing Guyana’s fashion industry.

In her statement Minister Walrond clarified that the ORIGINS brand was developed by a team of local industry practitioners and event organisers specifically assembled by the Ministry. This team aims to support Guyana’s emerging fashion industry through substantial government investment.

To this end, the PPP/C government has pledged over $2.6 billion in 2024 and an additional $3.6 billion in the 2025 National Budget to support the development of the fashion sector. This commitment of finances further underscores the government's commitment to fostering local talent and enhancing the industry.

Regarding Ms Wilson, the Minister explained that the New York based Guyanese woman’s team engaged in discussions with local representatives about the festival's goals and potential involvement. These discussions involved identifying how Wilson and her brand could participate in the festival.

According to Minister Walrond, there was no agreed scope of participation from Wilson’s team. While her team submitted a three-minute video to be shown at the launch, which was later screened, the intended images from Wilson's brand were not utilised in the event. Notably, Wilson was acknowledged during the launch, indicating the government’s intention to include her work positively within the festival.

The Minister expressed disappointment that Marrissa Wilson chose to publicly disseminate what she characterised as “distortions, exaggerations, and lies” regarding the festival. Walrond acknowledged Wilson’s outstanding work but emphasized the missed opportunity for collaboration aimed at the growth of Guyana’s fashion industry.

The ORIGINS Fashion Festival will be celebrated under the theme “Foundations of Guyanese Fashion.”