Dear Editor,
Over the past few years, national development conversations in Guyana have focused heavily on oil, infrastructure, agriculture, education, and other major sectors. That is understandable, given the scale of change taking place in the country. However, as Guyana grows, we should also pay closer attention to the orange economy — the creative industries that include fashion, music, design, craft, film, digital content, art, and cultural enterprise.
The recent announcement that ExxonMobil Guyana has joined Origins: Guyana Fashion Festival 2026 as a strategic partner is therefore a positive development for the creative sector. It signals that fashion should not be seen only as artistic expression or entertainment. It can also be a serious industry that creates income, builds brands, develops skills, and opens doors for young people.
For many Guyanese creatives, the challenge is not a lack of talent. It is often a lack of exposure, training, business support, production capacity, and market access. Designers, models, stylists, photographers, makeup artists, artisans, and event professionals all form part of a wider creative ecosystem. When initiatives like Origins provide workshops, masterclasses, panel discussions, brand development support, and opportunities for public showcasing, they help move creativity from a hobby into a more structured economic pathway.
This is important because Guyana’s development should not be measured only by roads, buildings, oil production or large-scale investment. Development must also include citizens’ ability to turn their talents into livelihoods. A young designer who learns how to price, package, and export a product is participating in development. A model who gains professional training and exposure is participating in development. A craft producer who learns to brand and sell beyond a small local market is also contributing to development.
The oil and gas sector has brought new attention, revenue, and business activity to Guyana. It is therefore reasonable for more partnerships to support areas that help Guyanese people participate in the wider economy. This does not mean every initiative must be directly tied to oil. Rather, it means that as the country benefits from new economic activity, we should use some of that momentum to build other sectors that can stand on their own over time.
The orange economy has real potential to promote Guyana’s identity internationally. Our fashion, colours, culture, Indigenous influences, Caribbean character and local stories can all form part of a stronger national brand. But potential alone is not enough. Creatives need spaces where they can learn, showcase, network, and understand the business side of their craft.
I hope Origins continues to grow beyond a single event and becomes part of a larger movement to develop Guyana’s creative economy. I also hope more public and private-sector partners will support similar initiatives in music, film, craft, design, and digital media.
Guyana’s future must be broad. Oil and infrastructure are important, but culture and creativity also deserve a place in the national development conversation.
Sincerely,
Samantha Browne
