Port-of-Spain: An outpouring of love for Trinidad and Tobago's Anya Ayoung-Chee who has won this year's Project Runway challenge, emerging as the top designer in the Lifetime reality show.
Triumph over adversity is how Sports Minister Anil Roberts describes the success of Ayoung-Chee.
He says the win is phenomenal and proof that Trinidad and Tobago's unique essence, style and point of view can reap rewards on the international stage.
Minister Roberts recalled the scandal that overshadowed Ayoung Chee's beauty pageant career saying that "she overcame those hurdles despite many expectations that she would fail".
He says that "during the course of the show, Ayoung Chee displayed qualities that all elite athletes possess – a passion to win, to represent their country well and to execute when it matters."
Regarding the massive Twitter campaign to help her win the fan favourite, Minister Roberts says "it was amazing to see trinbagonians, first of all being so effective in their use of social media, and second to recognise true talent and skill over race and ethnicity, which unfortunately are still issues that some use to divide us".
Meanwhile Minister of Trade and Industry Stephen Cadiz says she represented the country on the international stage with grace, poise and certainty, noting that her collection titled –“Tobago Love” – was able to capture the creativity, essence, beauty, vibrance and spirit of the Caribbean.
He says Ayoung Chee's success story has further highlighted the potential of the fashion industry of Trinidad and Tobago.
He adds that as a people we are creative and our creativity is one of our greatest assets but that sadly the potential of this industry has yet to be exploited to its fullest something he says the government intends to transform.
He too says her story is one of triumph and has shown the resilience of the human spirit, despite the whirlwind of adversity and controversy which once circled her, she now stands firmly and is walking proudly.
He believes that her story has only just begun and says he expects only great things from her.
Port-of-Spain Mayor Louis Lee Sing meanwhile says she has risen above attempts to pulll her down to succeed against all odds.
Ayoung Chee continues to receive an outpouring of support from many public personalities over social networks including Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley, soca artistes Machel Montano, Shurwayne Winchester, Bunji Garlin, Faye-Ann Lyons-Alvarez, Destra Garcia and Kes Dieffenthaller, former World Champion Ato Boldon and former Miss TT Universe Danielle Jones.
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