Lights flashing, models sashaying and overcrowding best describe Trinidad and Tobago's first fashion week.

The event which was organised by Radical Designs head, Diane Hunt and her support team (Rosemary Stone, Maria Farrell and Richard Young) drew to a close last weekend, after six nights of what Hunt described as "phenomenal support."

Hunt said the turn out for each night was more than she expected and many patrons who had planned to attend the show for only one night, kept coming back for more as the week of haute couture and avant garde Caribbean fashion went along.

In fact the presence of the protective services which lined and guarded the Adam Smith Square venue as the fashion fest proceeded bore testament to the extent of which the event's appeal was under anticipated. Despite the crowds however, the cheers which both the models and the designs garnered said mouthfuls about the level of satisfaction the event generated.

While the majority of patrons seemed pleased by the set up, some said a bigger tent would be necessary for next year's fest.

But before the event even began last week Hunt had said next year's event would be bigger than this year's show, which is really the pilot national project for the Fashion Week Trinidad and Tobago organising committee.

Well known, choreographer Dave Williams agreed that the event needed a bigger set up. He told Express Woman, "The big screen at Independence Square showing the event for the people who can't afford to come would make it a truly massive event."

With or without the screen and despite the over-crowding most people who were present said they enjoyed the opportunity to see so much of T&T's talent displayed in one showcase.

Tia Valesquez, a visitor from Colombia who had come across to view the England vs T&T match which took place the day after Trinidad and Tobago Fashion Week wrapped up said, "It was fantastic. I did not plan to come and I did not know little Trinidad and Tobago has so many designers, but it was so good," she said in a thick Spanish accent.

"I feel like I can shop here now. It's like a little Miami. I want to bring my friends," she gushed.

While fashion is traditionally seen as a female "thing" males were well represented at the event, both on and off the runway.

Among the models were two members of the Trinidad and Tobago national football squad and other male sportsmen who may traditionally be seen as too macho for fashion made a showing. National cyclist Ako Keller was present to take in the show and after party on the night of the grand finale.

Not only was there a grand showing of men but fashion week also introduced T&T to the new breed of models. While the girls were traditionally thin, and the guys quite taut and lean, many of them had one thing models have not been hailed for...lofty academic aspirations.

Travel and tourism student, Hannah Samuel strutted her stuff, while University of the West Indies management major, Kai Anthony Leggard heated up the runway also. An array of other young academics also made their mark that night, including Literature major Keron Ward and brainy-beauty Tenesia Stafford.

But the models were not the only new comers to the scene. Up and coming fashion creators such as Michael Raghunanan out of St Joseph, Garnet D'Andrade out of St James and Jaumark Pierre who can be best described as model turned designer had their work shown at the gathering.

All together the event could be carded as a grand success, which not only peeked interest in the creations of local designers but introduced the Trinidad and Tobago public to the work of a number of designers from the neighbouring Caribbean islands.