Transitioning from fashion to business...

“That’s what makes it profitable. That’s what makes it successful. So, if you’re not making money doing what you’re doing then you need to sit and focus on the business aspect of it.”

“From a very early age, the business of fashion was very important to me. So I set out to learn the business of it all,” Cole-Wagner said, concluding on the topic of her shift from fashion to business.

While not yet ready to be opened to the public, CoLabs boasts 5 spaces for creative production. The Salon Hub caters to hairstylists and makeup artists, while the green cyclorama stage offers a space for video/graphic production. Also in the building is a white cyclorama stage which can be utilised as a photo studio and a few flights of stairs upwards, a fashion production/fashion design incubation space awaits young de- signers. In addition, there is a music recording studio, large enough to fit a band. The building will also be offering office spaces for rental.

Supporting Cole-Wagner on this new journey is

David Clarke, who spoke of the vision that pushed the Guyanese designer to open CoLabs.

“Michelle had the property that was going to be developed anyway and we were really trying to see how best we can impact our industry. So, creating a space where there was going to be an ecosystem of young, creative talent with innovation, is what we hope to foster here,” Clarke told this publication.

He added, “Having spaces to relax, to complement fashion designers, music producers, photographers, hairstylists; it really is going to develop the talent in the creative sector to the point where it’s the market value.”

All in all, the duo agreed that CoLabs’ goal is to equip young creatives with a space to champion the business of fashion, music and photography.

“Our goal here is to provide a space that the cultural products, Mashramani, Cricket Carnival; these are all cultural products and with everyone now looking at Guyana, we want to showcase our best. We want to make sure that when our artistes and creatives create and produce a product, we’re all proud to say that’s Guyanese, that’s our own,” Clarke expressed.

While the high-end production spaces will not necessarily be free to use, Cole-Wagner revealed that various packages will be available to creatives for their convenience. For instance, the white cyclorama room can be booked per hour, to cut the overhead costs that photographers would incur.

With little time remaining before CoLabs is up and running Cole-Wagner, is not only focused on encouraging women and girls in the creative industry, but is hoping to inspire the ‘next big thing’ in the Guyanese creative industry.

“First off, FACTS, where this entire idea was birthed from, is going to be back, housed right here. That’s one of the most important things, for CoLabs to facilitate the birth of new designers. I would like to see more Mwanzas and Randys find a space and all the encouragement they need to develop and grow,” the fashion designer turned businesswoman shared with an endearing smile.