Sonia Noel, Guyana’s Fashion Icon and leading Designer, once again made statements as she graced the red carpet and stage of the recently held West Indian Music Awards at the Pegasus Hotel in Guyana. Sonia, accompanied by Richard Young, one of the Caribbean’s Leading authorities in anything fashion, made her mark once again as a feature presenter and guest of the awards.
Models, in Sonia’s classic Black and White Collection, fashionably dressed in pieces from Sonia’s classic Black and White Collection then ushered the guests to their respective seats for a spectacular night dedicated to honouring Guyana’s best in the music fraternity.
Soon after an introduction, WIMA’s CEO, US-based Mr. Dheeraj of the Dheeraj Cultural Foundation, Cultural Center Ghungaroos Dance Academy out of the USA, shared his dream of the coming into existence of the awards, when he had an epiphany during a walk on the beach with his two daughters years ago in a distant land.
Draped in one of her personal pieces, Sonia presented three awards and did many red carpet interviews. Anthony Abrams of the contagious ‘Wine attack’ soca fame copped the night’s first crystal over fellow Lindener, Brandon Harding.
Then BTV Ch2 Production Manager, Mondale Smith was surprised by his win when Guyana Fashion Weekend CEO, Sonia Noel, called his name as winner of the Best Entertainment Television Presenter for his show, “Caribbean Music Box” over nominees such as WR Reaz and “Hits Ville” host, Rawle Ferguson.
A sumptuous buffet dinner followed after two other awards were made, then it was entertainment time again from Anthony Abrams, who dished out his ‘Wine attack’ song amongst other entertaining pieces.
Amongst the 23 awardees at the Sixth West Indian Music Awards to receive awards in various categories were beauty queens Soyini Fraser, who was awarded by Ms Noel, and Allana Seebaran, who are the beauties to bring Guyana international attention in pageantry when they won the Miss United Nations and the Miss India worldwide crowns respectively this year.
I
n his absence, Radio DJ, Casual won Best Radio Personality of the Year over Merano Isaacs and 
Wanita Huburn.
Mahendra Ramkellawan copped the lion’s share of awards, to mixed reaction from those in attendance. He was deservedly announced the Chutney Singer of the Year, but when his name was announced as heading the Best Entertainment Promotions Group of the Year, many looked on in disbelief, as his Fire FEST Promotions is good, but is considered a far cry from the quality of Pulse Entertainment, and the Hits and Jams Jamzone.
The event is now reportedly slated to be an annual event celebrating Guyanese in Guyana, and no doubt Ms Sonia Noel will continue to support the recognition of this, the Guyana Style.
