Carmen Nibbs of St. Thomas Debuts Madras Fashion Dolls in Orlando

Carmen Nibbs, a St. Thomian artist and doll stylist, is currently presenting her collection of madras fashion dolls at the Orlando Science Center. This exhibit is a part of the “ART SPEAKS: A Celebration of Black Artists,” an event dedicated to showcasing the artistic prowess of individuals from Central Florida.

Her exhibition, titled “Dolls in Madras Fashions – Cultural, Traditional and Modern,” has drawn considerable attention for its unique display of “Barbie”-sized dolls. These dolls are adorned in attire that pays homage to Caribbean culture, highlighting the region’s colorful fashion and vibrant madras fabrics. This display offers a visually captivating and culturally enriching experience to its viewers.

Hosted in the Science Center’s Fusion STEAM Gallery, which sees an annual footfall of approximately 700,000 visitors, the exhibit features seven distinct dolls. Each doll narrates a unique story, starting with the Moko Jumbies, which are iconic figures in the USVI and other Caribbean nations. The exhibit then transitions to “Three Generations of Traditional Madras Dolls,” a representation that beautifully encapsulates familial bonds.

As visitors continue their journey through the exhibit, they witness the versatility of madras fabric. One doll is dressed in traditional garb, while another is adorned in a contemporary outfit made from the official USVI madras pattern. This juxtaposition highlights the fabric’s adaptability in fashion.

Madras fabric, a key element of this exhibit, is celebrated for its rich and complex global history, tracing back to its origins in Madrasputnam, India, in the early 1500s. The fabric has since become an integral part of Caribbean culture, embodying a legacy of colonialism, trade, and tradition.

Ms. Nibbs, an alumnus of Charlotte Amalie High School and Temple University, Philadelphia, founded Laylee M. Doll Clothes in 2015. Her business, fueled by her passion for doll styling, operates through the Etsy e-commerce platform and enjoys a significant following on social media.

Her talent in sewing, a skill she attributes to her late grandmother Mabel Nibbs of Tortola, BVI, a skilled seamstress herself, has been central to her success. Despite the challenges of obtaining specialty fabrics in Central Florida, Ms. Nibbs remains thankful to her friends in St. Thomas, who ensure she has a consistent supply of the exclusive territorial Madras and other prints.

The “Dolls in Madras Fashions” exhibit is set to be open to the public from January 13 to April 4.