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| Kevin Steeple |
What’s the background?
Having lived and worked in over 30 countries internationally - ranging from the Europe through the Middle East, South East Asia, the Pacific and the Americas - I find that the level of creativity in T&T is incredibly high by international standards - although harnessing it for economic and social progress is an area that has not been given much of a priority thus far. This story is one of the more unusual we have come across - and really quite unique. It’s one of those areas where there are few players. What is even more unusual is the story behind it all.
What’s the story?
If you ever meet Kevin Steeples, you will be impressed by both his stature and passion. He is a tall young man who is totally focused on being involved in something that few young men of his age would even consider - dressing up dolls. But there is a lot more to this story than this. These dolls are very special as are the targets of their attention.
How did it start?
At school he just loved art and painting. He even did paintings under his desk during economic classes. But his grandfather wanted him to be an accountant or doctor and used to rip up his paintings if he found them because he regarded them as being of little value. Kevin had to ‘sneak away’ to do them. When his economics teacher caught him doing paintings in class, he sent him to the Principal’s office. However, instead of being reprimanded the Principal said that his work was so good that he should consider sitting the schools art exams. He had just two weeks to prepare for these and had to work hard after school to prepare in the art room which he locked to secure himself away from ‘intruders’. He even sold cakes to make enough money to buy his own art supplies. He passed the exams with distinction.
What happened next?
Seven of his paintings were accepted by the UN for a global campaign. BWIA and the T&T Tourism Board also bought seven of his paintings each to promote the country. However, one day he woke up and suddenly thought, ‘I don’t want to be a painter. I want to work with dolls’. This was at the time the Miss Universe competition was running in T&T. So Kevin took one of his sister’s dolls and designed and made a dress to look like one of the girls who was competing. Then he did several more replicas of the contestants and presented them to the company that was running the Miss Universe Show. They just laughed at him. However, rather than becoming despondent and giving up, he went to the Hilton Hotel in Port of Spain where the show was being held and waited for Miss Venezuela to pass through the door. As she did he presented her with a perfect replica of herself and said ‘this is the doll I made for you’. The photographers present went crazy taking shots and Miss Venezuela took it with her on stage.
And then?
All the other Miss Universe contestants wanted a doll replica for themselves so the officials approached him and said if he could make them in 5 days he could have the job. This launched him into business. Since them he has done replicas of Michelle Obama and was invited by President Obama to come to Washington. He also gave one to Prince Charles, who he was able to meet personally in T&T after a lot of perseverance. The Prince was so impressed that he invited him to London and then Germany to do workshops and exhibitions. This young man’s special dolls have featured in the international press right around the world - even as far away as in New Zealand.
What might this mean for T&T?
Kevin is still in the early stages of developing his business but he sure knows how to network and get access to places most people would not dare to go. It’s such an unusual product but people love the replica dolls. The challenge for Kevin now is how to expand the business without using the uniqueness. But it just goes to show that if we want to pursue economic diversification here in T&T, we have some incredible talent to work with. This is one highly creative and special person we all should be very proud of.
Useful link:Kevin features in New Zealand
Key question: When will we recognise the multi-billion dollar potential that people in the T&T creative sector have to offer?
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