SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Photography, fashion, history and cultural storytelling came together during the Caribbean Afro-Beauty & Heritage Photography Expo, held on August 1 and 2, 2026. Led by fashion creative / designer, photographer and creative director David Amauris Santos, the initiative celebrated Afro-Caribbean women while encouraging dialogue about identity, beauty, representation and heritage.
The two-day program opened at the Philipsburg Cultural and Community Center with an educational workshop titled “Identity in the Fashion Industry.” Featured international guest Sasha Payton shared her journey from her Caribbean roots to the global fashion industry, addressing representation, colorism, confidence, self-image and building an authentic personal brand.
Payton is a Caribbean-American high-fashion model and creative professional with St. Martin & Jamaican roots, based in New York. During her career of more than a decade, she has worked in major fashion markets, including New York, Paris, Milan, London, Germany, Copenhagen, Norway and Sweden. Her experience also extends into casting, styling, production and editorial work. She is the founder of Muse Journal, an independent platform exploring fashion, culture, identity, music, art and sports.
The workshop was followed by the opening of the OurHairOurLegacy Slavery Photograph exhibition that has been supported by the Slavery Memorial Committee and Colors of the Caribbean Fashion & Cultural Showcase, featuring guided viewing, a fashion and heritage presentation, audience engagement and a conversation on the importance of cultural funding and partnerships.
The Expo continued on Sunday, August 2, at The Cave Rooftop Bar & Lounge. The evening combined photography, fashion, music, dance, poetry and public dialogue. Highlights included the St. Maarten Song performed by Benjamin Bell, an African and Caribbean heritage performance by “les madanm o ka and co” from the French Side, a photography exhibition reveal, an Afro-Caribbean heritage fashion presentation and a moderated conversation on beauty, culture and representation.
During the event, Santos explained the project’s creative vision, including its photography, styling, cultural influences and fashion elements. The exhibition featured portraits and documentary-style images communicating strength, dignity, resilience and ancestral pride. The visual narrative recognized the historic contributions of Afro-Caribbean women to agriculture, trade, family and community development.
“This project was created to ensure that our stories are documented and presented through our own cultural perspective,” said Santos. “Through photography and fashion, we wanted to honor the women whose labor, resilience and creativity helped shape Caribbean society and to show the side of slavery that is rarely spoken about: their strength.” We were happy to have in attendance, representative of UNESCO, our cultural department and board member of the Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied.
Santos brings extensive experience in fashion design, photography, casting, model management and event coordination. He currently serves as Director-General of Eudoxie Sewing Factory B.V. and has worked with respected regional and international designers and fashion brands.
The project also included model preparation, culturally inspired styling, location photography and behind-the-scenes documentation. The resulting photographs, interviews, videos and digital materials will contribute to a cultural archive supporting future exhibitions, educational activities and community discussions.
The Caribbean Afro-Beauty & Heritage Photography Expo was developed in partnership with Santos Handmade and the Philipsburg Cultural and Community Center, with funding from Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied and other contributors. The project also recognized the collaboration of the Slavery Memorial Committee, Purrfect Party Props, Eudoxie Sewing Factory, The Cave Rooftop Bar & Lounge, participating creatives, models, volunteers and cultural partners.
