Guyanese-Trinidadian designer Aaron Moneer is one of the Caribbean’s most exciting rising stars, writes Giselle Laronde-West
Young, enthusiastic, and with great determination and passion for his art and the industry, Aaron Moneer stands among the region’s most promising emerging fashion designers. He believes that “the future belongs to those who believe in their dreams and are not afraid to go after them.”
Born in Guyana, Aaron relocated with his family to Trinidad in 2002 at the age of six (he turns 30 this April), settling in the vibrant and culturally diverse community of St James. At 14, he developed his passion for fashion, ignited by hours spent watching fashion shows on television. He began to learn to sew and design, paying attention to the exceptional creativity of many talented local designers.
Determined to pursue his fashion dreams, he dropped out of school in form two, gaining formal training at Hilaire’s School of Fashion in Port of Spain. Unfortunately, however, Moneer’s enrollment coincided with his family’s move to the rural coastal town of Blanchisseuse, resulting in a daily three-hour commute. No stranger to adversity and with a natural entrepreneurial instinct, he was undeterred and later continued his training at Trinidad’s MIC Institute of Technology, completing the two-year Dressmaking & Design programme.
In 2015 — at just 19 and armed with newly acquired skills and conviction — Moneer took a leap of faith and debuted his first fashion collection at San Fernando Fashion Week in Trinidad. “Looking back,” he says, “from then to now I’ve noticed a great improvement in my work.”
He immersed himself fully in the fashion ecosystem, which led to opportunities as a model, where he gained invaluable mentorship from respected creatives like Richard Young and Christopher Nathan — modelling for them in various fashions shows. He also credits renowned designer Meiling as his greatest influence and mentor. “Her hands-on guidance and insight was priceless to my development,” he explains.
It was in 2023 that Moneer gained widespread recognition after winning Season 7 of Mission Catwalk — the popular Caribbean fashion design reality competition produced in Jamaica — with his collection Sweet Sweet Darling. Winning earned him the opportunity to showcase his work at the renowned Paris Fashion Week.
Since then, his designs have been featured at fashion events across the Caribbean, including Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, Suriname, and his home base of T&T. While he has not shown in the United States, he has many clients throughout the US.
Specialising in luxury resort wear ideal for the Caribbean, Moneer’s designs are made from breathable linen and natural fibres, which celebrate tropical elegance. His aesthetic blends relaxed sophistication with meticulous craftsmanship, most notably through his signature handcrafted lattice work.
Following his Mission Catwalk success, demand for his designs grew locally and regionally, so that he opened his boutique in September 2025 with an immersive experience of music, food, and fashion, featuring his Havana Collection. The boutique offers clients intimate, one-on-one consultations; features ready-to-wear creations; and serves as a production facility. He described the milestone as “a celebration of unwavering commitment to my craft”.
At press time, Moneer was preparing for the launch of his newest collection, Midnight, scheduled for March 2026. His designs are readily available at his boutique in Woodbrook, Trinidad, and in Kingston, Jamaica. He’s also actively connecting with buyers throughout the wider Caribbean region to have his pieces available in other locations later in the year.
When asked what advice he offers to aspiring designers, Moneer keeps it simple yet undeniably powerful: “Put in the hours, master the craft, and success will follow.”