Afro-Caribbean women honored through photography, fashion and cultural storytelling

GREAT BAY--Photography, fashion, history and cultural storytelling came together during the Caribbean Afro-Beauty and Heritage Photography Expo, held on August 1 and 2, 2026.

Led by fashion creative, designer, photographer and creative director David Amauris Santos, the two-day initiative celebrated Afro-Caribbean women while encouraging meaningful discussion about identity, beauty, representation and heritage.

The program opened at the Philipsburg Cultural and Community Center with an educational workshop titled “Identity in the Fashion Industry.”

International guest Sasha Payton shared her journey from her Caribbean roots into the global fashion industry, addressing representation, colorism, confidence, self-image and the importance of building an authentic personal brand.

Payton is a Caribbean-American high-fashion model and creative professional with St. Martin and Jamaican roots who is based in New York. During a career spanning more than a decade, she has worked in major fashion markets including New York, Paris, Milan, London, Germany, Copenhagen, Norway and Sweden.

Her experience also includes casting, styling, production and editorial work. She is the founder of Muse Journal, an independent platform exploring fashion, culture, identity, music, art and sports.

The workshop was followed by the opening of the OurHairOurLegacy Slavery Photograph Exhibition, which received support from the Slavery Memorial Committee and the Colors of the Caribbean Fashion and Cultural Showcase.

The opening featured guided exhibition viewing, a fashion and heritage presentation, audience engagement and discussion about the importance of cultural funding and partnerships.

The Expo continued on Sunday, August 2, at The Cave Rooftop Bar and Lounge, where photography, fashion, music, dance, poetry and public dialogue were brought together in one cultural presentation.

Highlights included a performance of the St. Maarten Song by Benjamin Bell, an African and Caribbean heritage presentation by “Les Madanm O Ka and Co.” from the French side, the unveiling of the photography exhibition, an Afro-Caribbean heritage fashion presentation and a moderated discussion about beauty, culture and representation.

Santos also presented the creative vision behind the project, including the photography, styling, cultural influences and fashion elements used throughout the exhibition.

The collection featured portraits and documentary-style images designed to communicate strength, dignity, resilience and ancestral pride. The visual story recognized the historic contributions of Afro-Caribbean women to agriculture, trade, family life and community development.

“This project was created to ensure that our stories are documented and presented through our own cultural perspective,” Santos said. “Through photography and fashion, we wanted to honor the women whose labor, resilience and creativity helped shape Caribbean society and to show the side of slavery that is rarely spoken about: their strength.”

Representatives of UNESCO and the Cultural Department, along with a board member of Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied, were among those in attendance.

Santos brings extensive experience in fashion design, photography, casting, model management and event coordination. He currently serves as Director-General of Eudoxie Sewing Factory B.V. and has worked with regional and international designers and fashion brands.

The project also included model preparation, culturally inspired styling, location photography and behind-the-scenes documentation. The resulting photographs, interviews, videos and digital materials will form part of a cultural archive supporting future exhibitions, educational activities and community discussions.

The Caribbean Afro-Beauty and Heritage Photography Expo was developed in partnership with Santos Handmade and the Philipsburg Cultural and Community Center, with funding from Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied and other contributors.

The project also recognized the support of the Slavery Memorial Committee, Purrfect Party Props, Eudoxie Sewing Factory, The Cave Rooftop Bar and Lounge, participating creatives, models, volunteers and cultural partners.

‍