Anguillian designer Alexis S Ryan is back in the spotlight with his latest collection, ‘Pockets of Sunshine’, a joyful celebration of colour, creativity and Caribbean heritage.
Debuting at this year’s Carifesta in Barbados, the collection marks his return to the runway after six years focused on bespoke, made-to-order designs for special occasions.
Under the name TheoChris Designs, Ryan and his mother Marilyn E Ryan worked together on the collection, with her handling the sewing and construction while he focused on the creative direction.
This week Ryan, who lives in North Side, told Anguilla Focus that the items draw directly from Anguilla’s landscapes and skies.
Bright yellows evoke the island’s sunrises, vibrant oranges capture the sunsets, and cool greens and blues reflect the surrounding seas.
Meanwhile, pink accents are a heartfelt tribute to friends battling cancer – a personal touch that adds emotional depth to the collection.
A signature feature of the line is its playful and practical use of pockets.
“About 80% of the clothes have pockets,” Ryan explains. “In some cases, you can literally see the pockets… and in some cases, they are hidden.”
From flowing caftans to structured dresses, each garment fuses bold Caribbean colours with wearable, everyday elegance.
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But the collection isn’t just about colour – the designs themselves tell a story.
Ryan drew inspiration from the interplay of sunlight and water, capturing the ripple effects of a sunset or sunrise on the sea in the folds, cuts and jewel embellishments of the garments.
The result is a line that is vibrant, dynamic and unmistakably Anguillian.
This marks Ryan’s third appearance at Carifesta – the region’s largest cultural showcase, which this year took place from 22 to 31 August – following earlier festivals in Guyana and Haiti.
His work has also featured at regional shows in Saint Lucia, the US Virgin Islands and St Martin.
Later this year, he plans to launch another line, ‘Malliouhana’, which will incorporate Anguilla’s signature colours – turquoise, orange and white – into a cohesive, island-inspired collection.
With Pockets of Sunshine, Ryan showcases more than just clothes – the collection is a joyful, thoughtful and wearable tribute to the island he calls home, and a reminder of the creativity that thrives in Anguilla.
Currently, the Pockets of Sunshine collection is available through the TheoChris Designs’ Facebook page here, or by contacting him directly at +1 (264) 476 3225.
Click below to see the collection come to life on the Carifesta runway:
