When one thinks “fashion forward”, a university might be one of the last places that come to mind. Centres of the cerebral, they invest greatly in tradition and ceremony. Yet, at this year’s graduation ceremonies, UWI’s most senior personnel came with a fresh look. Graduation 2024 unveiled a new collection of academic regalia (gowns), significantly redesigned for the first time in seven and a half decades.
The purpose for this redesigned regalia was much more than an aesthetic upgrade.
“UWI celebrates its Caribbean legacy and continued evolution as an independent university as it takes one step closer to a complete break from colonial ties,” a statement from the university said.
“The redesign reflects a consultative process that engaged the university community, ensuring that the gowns resonate with the spirit of contemporary Caribbean society. They now feature vibrant, eye-catching designs as a tribute to the region's colours, textures, and culture with the creative input of staff members Dr Rajeev Venugopal and Dara Jordan-Brown, who conceptualised and sketched the pattern, and a talented Jamaican fashion designer, Tonycia Jarrett who designed the full suite of regalia.”
The regalia were manufactured by Jamaican fashion designer Donald Mirander through his Rednarim brand and uses, according to the statement from UWI, “fabric that is more suitable to the tropical climate”.
UWI Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, speaking on the new gowns, said, “The story of The UWI’s academic dress parallels its history. We celebrated our 75th Diamond Jubilee anniversary, knowing we were entering a significant new era. It is one where we stand proudly Caribbean. The new regalia is both symbolic and significant. We have stripped off another layer of the cloak of colonialism.”
When The UWI came into being in 1962 under the Royal Charter and Statutes, there was a need for its own distinctive academic dress. The university adopted the Chancellor’s gown as its first official academic dress, first worn by Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, The UWI’s first Chancellor. The collection of regalia for its principal officers that followed has served to the present day.
