By: Trinidad Guardian

Saturday January 09,

After years of demonstrating her creativity in the public relations field, Giselle Laronde-West is now focusing her creative talent on children. Laronde-West recently launched a line of jewellery for girls and boys called the Giselle Laronde Collection which is exclusively produced and sold by Mouttet Jewellers. The former Miss World, Laronde-West said although she never found the jewelery market 100 per cent suitable for children, launching her own line was never a plan. “In the back of my mind I’ve always said there isn’t enough children’s jewelery. It just came into my brain one day and I started doodling. I approached Mouttet and they worked with me on the lines,” she said, adding that she chose that company because of its creativity and vibrant atmosphere.

The line features bracelets, pendants, necklaces and earrings done primarily in silver with touches of ribbons, Swarovski crystals and other materials in the shape of ladybugs and butterflies. While the main target is girls, there are bracelets for boys too featuring basketballs and footballs. The mother of two boys—Kye, 15 and Kristof, 10,—Laronde-West plans to dedicate more time in 2011 to developing the boys’ line. Her sons, she said, are into jewelery such as rings, pendants and bracelets, and do critique her creations. But it’s her nieces who are her real inspiration. “I want them to look cute,” said Laronde-West, stating that children’s jewelery should not be overstated. “I don’t like to see children in plenty jewellery so my line is simple. Subtle and elegant is always nicer, so that’s my focus.” The reception has been good so far, as expected, since Laronde-West has filled an obvious void. “We have had to re-order, I am so excited,” she said.

Though her sister, Janine Andrew, is an artist, and Laronde-West has lent her ideas and creative eye to projects within the scope of her job as corporate communications manager at Angostura Ltd, this is the first time she has truly shown her creative side. She is clearly enjoying her new venture. “I am having fun doing it,” she declared. “It’s the most creative thing I have ever done.” She said she has a big book of drawings and is already planning a new nature inspired line featuring flora and fauna. With her busy schedule—her duties as instructor with the local branch of the Shotokan Karate Kanazawa-Ryu International Federation (SKKIF) and her activities in the local chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABCTT)—it’s amazing that Laronde-West can find time to dedicate to designing jewelery.

“I do that anytime. I walk with a book and if something catches my fancy, I draw it in my version of drawing and also at night before I go to bed,” she explained. It’s been 23 years since she won the Miss World title and even though she lent assistance to the Miss T&T/World pageant this year, Laronde-West has not followed up her title with much activity in anything beauty related. “It just happened, it wasn’t a conscious effort. When I am inspired I just go with the flow.” She doesn’t see herself embarking on self-employment though, mainly to preserve the quality of life that she now enjoys, which includes spending time with her husband Heathcliff and her boys. But she is planning another business venture soon, one that she’s keeping close to her chest.

“It will be a family affair with my two brothers and sister,” was all she would reveal. Capitalising on the fame of a beauty title to embark on personal projects is not new for many local beauty queens and Laronde-West advises future Miss T&Ts to find their passion and do what they love. But their education is always paramount, she said. “If you haven’t completed your tertiary education, do that first and foremost,” she said. “Life is too short; you don’t have time to be dabbling here and there. Think about your future and put your all into it, to the best of your ability. Remember also to do it with integrity and a good heart, whatever you do in life will become your footprint, so map out your life.”

Like Giselle Laronde-West, many other local beauty queens have parlayed their name into projects they are passionate about. Let's see what they are up to:

Wendy Fitzwilliam (Miss Universe 1998):
Wrote her first book called Letters to Ailan, which was launched in September 2009.

Gabrielle Walcott (Miss T&T/Universe 2008):
Recently opened a boutique in La Romaine, San Fernando called Spoilt.

Anya Ayoung-Chee (Miss T&T/World 2008):
Debuted a clothing line called Pilar at the 2009 Trinidad and Tobago Fashion Week and co-owns Fuse, an agency that trains and casts models.

Faye Alibocus (Miss T&T/Universe 2003):
Migrated to the United States where she recently launched an album of sacred music.

Leah Mari Guevara (Miss T&T/Universe runner up 2003):
Operates a dog grooming business and is a director and stylist for the new Miss Universe pageant franchise group headed by businessman Ian Andrew Lee.

Amanda Jardine (Miss T&T 1998):
Founded her own company, Image Matters Limited, that specialises in etiquette training, event management and customer service.

By Laura Dowrich-Phillips