Claudia Pegus is widely recognized as one of the leading fashion designers in Trinidad and Tobago. She has earned that distinction not only for the artistic creativity of her designs and the excellent quality of her productions, but also for the demonstrated success of her entrepreneurial skills. These attributes have won her international acclaim and have served to enhance the image and prestige of our nation overseas. Claudia has earned this reputation through almost 30 years of dedication to the fashion industry. 

Claudia is acclaimed for her intuition, creativity and vibrancy as well as her industriousness and entrepreneurial drive. In addition to articulating fresh perspectives on the industry, she has been able to fuse the art and creativity that are so essential in fashion design, with the business acumen required to succeed in this industry. Her reputation as one of the leading Trinbagonian Couturiers and as needlewoman par excellence has surpassed the boundaries of her land of birth to be recognised in the Caribbean as a whole and in many of the world’s fashion centres. Local and international artistes, Nadine Willis, (the veteran Gucci model), a Caribbean Head of State attending the 2005 Royal Wedding, a British MP participating in the opening of the British Parliament and her life mentor Nelson Mandela, all share the experience of wearing Claudia Pegus designs. Her achievements in placing Trinidad and Tobago on the map were recognised in 2004 when she was declared the “Top Female Owned/Managed Export Company” at the Prime Minister’s Exporter of the Year Awards. 

Claudia travels the world promoting her unique fusion of Caribbean flair and European sophistication, designed and manufactured entirely in her homeland with the assistance of local haute couture technicians whom she has personally trained. To compliment her staff, she has forged strong strategic alliances regionally and internationally, which are used on a project basis. 

Today, Claudia nurtures her roots in the soil from where she grew. She has inspired and guided many an aspiring young designer and entrepreneur in the development of careers in fashion and related industries. As a committed corporate citizen, Claudia has offered her services as mentor, motivator and guidance counsellor to numerous secondary schools, the Creative Arts Centre of the University of the West Indies, The Heroes Foundation, as well as private and public companies. She has participated in radio and television talk shows, and made public addresses, sharing her knowledge and advice with the peoples of Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean. She is currently in discussions with the Commissioner of Prisons to explore her keen interest in working with female inmates of the Golden Grove Prison with a view to teaching them life skills as part of their rehabilitation process. Claudia is a member of The Association of Female Executives of Trinidad & Tobago and The Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad & Tobago.


Company: 

Claudia Pegus Designs Limited is a small design, retail manufacturing business specialising in offering ladies’ and gents’ clothing to niche market clientele and career apparel for companies and resorts. 

Career Highlights:

1977: Claudia entered the world of business operating as a Sole Trader, trading under the name No Problem Boutique at 90 Frederick Street, Port of Spain. Medium range ladies clothing imported from London were complimented with locally designed and manufactured clothing by the company. It was at this time that Claudia’s creative ability prompted her to enter the world of fashion design. 

1979: The business was relocated to larger premises at 186 Frederick Street and the quality of imported clothing was upgraded. 

1980: The Company expanded and switched to 100% locally manufactured goods, trading as a Limited Liability Company under the name Claudia Pegus Designs Limited. 

1981 - 1982: Two additional branches were opened at Kirpalani’s Roundabout Plaza. 

1983: The Company started wholesaling locally, and exporting to shops in other Caribbean islands.

1984 - 1987: Claudia travelled and developed contacts in Spain, Switzerland, France, Germany, London, New York and Miami. She pursued intensive courses in Spanish, French and German, worked in Spain as a Designer for private clients while learning the fine skills of couture, and produced in Miami for export to Trinidad. She visited Trinidad intermittently, producing small wholesale lines for local and regional clients, while returning to Europe and the USA working for private clients as a Couturier.

1989:, With a wealth of knowledge and experience obtained internationally, Claudia reopened an Atelier at 168 Frederick Street and relocated to Colsort Mall situated at 11-13 Frederick Street two years later.

1990 – 1995: In the early 90’s Claudia’s skill as a designer was incorporated into the personal development workshops conducted by Mrs. Margarete Gordon of MK Careers, with a view to developing the proper protocol for career apparel to enhance corporate imaging. Her services in this area were also hired by The Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the enhancement of their diplomatic staff prior to foreign postings. She was instrumental in the development, restructuring and co-ordination of the SBDC (Small Business Development Corporation) Export Centres Programme of Trinidad and Tobago. 

1998: A second location called CPFS (Claudia Pegus Frederick Street) was opened at Colsort Mall, Frederick Street. Claudia was invited to participate in an international workshop in Suriname organized by The Suriname Women’s Business Bureau, where she conducted workshops aimed at the development of the garment industry in that country. 

1999: At the ZMV-BIZZ- International Business Fair sponsored by NOVIB, in Amsterdam, Holland, she was invited to present a paper entitled “The Challenges and Successes of Investing in the Caribbean, with a focus on The Garment Industry; the Trinidad and Tobago Perspective.”

2000: Claudia was instrumental in negotiating the way regionally for Pulse Investment Ltd. of Jamaica to make Caribbean Fashion Week, the official platform of recognition for Caribbean designers, a reality. 

2001: the company was relocated to larger premises at 4 Warren Street, Woodbrook to incorporate its retail showroom and production under one roof. It has been at this location to date. 

2004: Claudia Pegus Designs Limited was nominated by AFETT (The Association of Female Executives of Trinidad and Tobago) and declared the Top Female Owned/Managed Export Company at the Prime Minister’s Exporter of the Year Award. 

2005: At a retreat workshop held at the Salybia Resort and Spa for Government Ministers and their spouses, Claudia was hired to address the topic of image and proper wardrobe protocol for persons in public life. Indiana Monteverde, representative in Latin America and Brazil of the Trinidad and Tobago’s Tourism Board was instrumental in orchestrating an invitation to Claudia as the first Trinidadian designer to explore the Latin American market. As a Special Guest, Claudia’s work was shown at the very prestigious show. “Venezuela Designs” held in Caracas on May 10th 2005 and highlighted on various television stations. Her participation in the prestigious Caracas fashion show was the beginning of an exchange in this niche market between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago.” 

2007: Claudia was appointed a member of the Advisory Council for the University of Trinidad & Tobago, Caribbean Institute of Fashion and Design. 
She was also presented with an Award of Excellence by Shacbeau Magazine in recognition of her pursuit of Caribbean Excellence.

Education:

-St. Xavier’s School, St. Joseph 
-St. Joseph Girl’s R.C. School 
-South East Port of Spain Government Secondary
-John Donaldson Technical Institute 
-UWI extra-mural, St. Augustine 
-Inlingua, Barcelona, Spain, Germany 
-Roytec, POS 


Claudia Pegus Designs Limited
#4 Warren Street
Woodbrook
Port of Spain
Trinidad
1-868-628-2739 (w)
1-868-678-2116 (c)
claudia@claudiapegus.com
website: www.claudiapegus.com