Siblings win global zero-waste fashion award

A brother-and-sister team, managed by their dad, has secured a major sustainable fashion prize less than 18 months after entering the field, winning the Zero Waste International Competition at the E.D.W.A.R.D. (Ethical Defender of the World) Awards, zooming to the top of home-grown sustainable design.

EDWARD Awards won by Barbadian designer Trinity Rose. (Photo Credit: Contributed)

Emerging fashion designer Trinity Rose, 18, and her brother, model and actor Zion Rose, wowed audiences at the climax of Sustainable Fashion of the World in Panama City on July 26. The event brought together sustainability, education, innovation, culture, and creative industries to promote global sustainable solutions.

“How I won that award was kind of shocking and surprising because we found out about it just a few days ago,” Trinity said. “It just means so much to me, especially as a new designer. I only started designing last year in February, when my auntie Sheena Rose gifted me a sewing machine.”

She recalled making early garments for dolls that did not look very good, but noted that Zion offered encouragement whenever initial attempts failed. 

“Zion truthfully was the one to bring me out of the shell when it came [to] fashion. He said: ‘Try and try again. It don’t look good, try it again.'”

The journey to the international award began during CARIFESTA in 2025, where she met event organiser Jose Alexander, who challenged her to produce a full ten-piece sustainable collection.

“I told him: ‘Jose, it’s so nice to meet you, but I never went to school. I never learned how to do fashion.’ He said: ‘It’s OK. Most designers don’t learn from school. Just try. I want 10 pieces.’ 

“As our father told us: ‘Just say yes and then figure out reality.’ So I said: ‘Yeah, of course.'”

Explaining her focus on eco-friendly design, Rose pointed to the creative possibilities in repurposing discarded materials. “With conventional fashion, you have to get that drip and put it on. With sustainability, you get to be creative,” she explained. “You take something old, and you transform it into something new.

Trinity Rose shows off one of her designs. (Photo Credit: Contributed)

One of my favourite pieces was an old curtain that we found in a thrift store, rather than getting four to five yards of new fabric.”

Brother Zion shared a similar approach, designing an accessory using cardboard, scrap fabric and old bag straps. He also described his proudest moment on the international runway in Panama modelling Trinity’s designs.

“Walking on that fashion runway and seeing all these people looking at me, it felt like I was on top,” he said.

“I felt like a star, like a glow around me, walking in that spaceman suit. It was just such a proud moment, especially seeing my sister and how she took so long building all of those pieces.”

Trinity praised her brother’s professionalism, insisting he earned his place on the runway through merit: “I was very professional. No nepotism. I looked at all the models and chose him for his walk and his pizzazz.”

The siblings’ work is managed by their father, Corie Rose, under Trizon Productions. He recalled the moment he watched his children on the international runway.

Siblings Trinity and Zion Rose at the Sustainable Fashion Show in Panama. (Photo Credit: Contributed)

Trinity on the runway with one of her models at the Sustainable Fashion show in Panama. (Photo credit: Contributed)

“When I was in Panama and actually saw the first model come out, I was filming using two cameras,” Corie said. 

“Normally, I’m very even-keeled, but I lost it. My hand dipped, and I wasn’t recording it because it blew my mind. After doing this for one year quietly, seeing my son and daughter walking out there was out of this world.”

The family business is targeting a global market, with a focus on younger audiences. “Trizon Productions globally, that’s our target audience,” Corie added. “We are already looking at distribution chains and partners in manufacturing, targeting that young, hip, fun side.”

One of Trinity's designs on the runway in Panama. (Photo Credit: Contributed)

A model displays one of Trinity Rose's works at the Sustainable Fashion Show. (Photo Credit: Contributed)

A model displays one of Zion Rose's works – a Crop Over-inspired chattel house handbag at the Sustainable Fashion Show. (Photo Credit: Contirbuted)

The pair has already gained international exposure, appearing in major publications, securing window displays in Paris boutiques, and earning top honours among thousands of applicants in the Broadway Artists Alliance programme.

Plans are also being explored to bring an international fashion event to Barbados. Following discussions with Colombian fashion figures, Trinity outlined the idea of fashion tourism centred on an eco-friendly showcase.

“They said: ‘Why don’t you have a fashion show in Barbados where you can see the landscape and the ocean?'” Trinity said. 

“You bring international people into Barbados  —the Colombians, sustainable fashion designers, global models. I know film tourism can happen, but fashion tourism could be the next big thing.”

While details of upcoming projects have not been disclosed, the family confirmed that expansion and production are key priorities.

“We want to keep the trajectory high, strike the iron when it’s hot, and keep on building,” the teen fashion designer said. 

“Mass production is one of our goals, seeing our products up there globally. That’s for you guys to stay tuned for.”

(RR)