For its forthcoming Origins: Guyana Fashion Festival, the Government of Guyana is allegedly utilizing Guyanese fashion designer Marrisa Wilson’s intellectual property without her permission. Wilson is in the United States.
Wilson, the designer, just posted on Instagram with the accusation. “I’m going to share with you all something that is deeply upsetting surrounding my work…. three years ago, I pitched a proposal to the Guyanese Minister of Tourism, Oneidge Walrond, a fashion runway show to celebrate Guyanese culture, grow the local fashion industry, and bring tourism to the country.”
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The designer said that despite weeks of interaction and a formal proposal sent to the festival’s event director, she never heard back until her concepts and image were incorporated into the government project.
According to her, the organizing director contacted her team and asked them to join them as the production and creative team and to assist with educational initiatives.
She revealed, “Over several weeks, we shared ideas, brand materials-including videos and images of my work. As a follow up, he asked for a full proposal. We delivered. Then we never heard from him again. Now, we see the government is using our ideas, language, and even photos and videos of me and my work to legitimize this event. Without our approval. Without our participation. And without compensation.”
“They are using my brand and my name to suggest credibility, garner press and gain sponsors, while ignoring every aspect of the proposal and strategy that would actually make an impact for the Guyanese people,” she remarked.
Wilson stated unequivocally that she opposes the Origins fashion event and insisted that all content pertaining to her be removed right now.
Minister Walrond, meantime, reacted on the afternoon of April 11,2025, dismissing Wilson’s assertions as untrue.
“The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce rejects the false claims being made by Marrisa Wilson New York and supported by known political activists that the ORIGINS: Guyana Fashion Festival represents her ideas and not those of the Government of Guyana and those persons assembled to deliver this landmark event,” the minister stated.
Minister Waldron stated, “The 2022 proposal referred to in her post will be shared on my page. There was nothing original about that proposal.”
Waldron claims that a member of Alex Graham’s team in the US got in touch with Wilson and her group. She said that the inaugural event’s event director is Graham.
“Mr. Graham met virtually with Marrisa Wilson and her team on March 13, 2025. In that meeting, the goals of the ORIGINS Guyana Fashion Festival were first shared and there was a meeting of minds on the goals and on a general approach about how Marissa, her Brand, and her Team could participate,” she noted.
The minister stated that although internal talks over Wilson’s further involvement were still going on, her team had produced a film that was screened at the festival’s March 26 premiere.
She pointed out that Wilson’s idea addressed a few topics that other Guyanese fashion designers are currently working on.
Minister Waldron remarked, “So internal discussions were still ongoing regarding the scope of Marrisa’s participation. It is during these deliberations that Marissa responded with the erroneous and mischievous video that has now been reposted by several others.”
The minister added that Wilson’s accomplishments and efforts are exceptional. But she added, “it is therefore disappointing that someone of Guyanese roots, who had an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of the industry here, quickly chose to go public with distortions, exaggerations, and lies in response to our effort to include her and her team.”
According to Minister Waldron, the Origins Fashion Festival was created by a group of Guyanese business professionals and event planners that the ministry brought together to expand government funding for Guyana’s fashion sector.
She stated, “It is unfortunate that Marissa Wilson and her team have chosen this route and thereby denied themselves the opportunity to be part of this groundbreaking event, for and on behalf of our creative professionals and aspirants alike.”
The Guyana Fashion Festival is slated to take place in May.
