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VI's Territorial Dress to be reviewed- Hon. Luce D. Hodge-Smith

Jr Minister of Culture and Tourism, Hon. Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4) was called impromptu on a radio talk show by Rosemary Cindy Rosan co-host of “The Morning Ride Show with a Side of Politics” on ZROD 103.7 FM today Wednesday, April 10, 2024, and asked about the Territorial Dress. Photo: GIS
Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith in answering a question about changes to the Territorial Wear said 'There is a committee in place and they are not ready as yet to go public….but I am sure there are justifiable reasons, but I am not in a position to speak about it at this time.' Photo: GIS
Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith in answering a question about changes to the Territorial Wear said 'There is a committee in place and they are not ready as yet to go public….but I am sure there are justifiable reasons, but I am not in a position to speak about it at this time.' Photo: GIS
Male verion of the VI's Territorial Dress. Photo: GIS
Male verion of the VI's Territorial Dress. Photo: GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Jr Minister of Culture and Tourism, Hon. Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4) was called impromptu on a radio talk show by Rosemary Cindy Rosan co-host of “The Morning Ride Show with a Side of Politics” on ZROD 103.7 FM today Wednesday, April 10, 2024, and asked about the Territorial Dress.

Hon Hodge-Smith in answering a question about changes to the Territorial Wear said “There is a committee in place and they are not ready as yet to go public….but I am sure there are justifiable reasons,  but I am not in a position to speak about it at this time.”

The Territorial Dress was passed in July of 2012 by the House of Assembly under the National Democratic Party.

At the heart of the Territorial dress, is the Virgin Islands (VI) Territorial Print which depicts unique aspects of our culture: The turtle dove, oleander, hibiscus, soursop, sugar apple and the VI’s sloop along with the islands of the VI and our name represented in the cloth.

Are critics jumping the gun?

The print has been created in white, blue and red fabrics. Mrs. Florence Phillips and Miss Kristin C. Frazer designed the Territorial Dress while Mr. Kieron Harry designed the Territorial Print.

The public opinion on the review or possible changes to the Territorial Dress are unknown at this time, however, some residents without having the full facts or reasoning have started with the usual rhetoric against the Dr Natalio D. Wheatley’s (R7) one-year administration on the matter.

Once an official announcement or decision is made, our news centre will be the first to bring accurate details on the matter.

41 Responses to “VI's Territorial Dress to be reviewed- Hon. Luce D. Hodge-Smith”

  • rattie (10/04/2024, 19:55) Like (26) Dislike (7) Reply
    It's not our culture change the song too
    • Very good Luce! (11/04/2024, 08:50) Like (34) Dislike (5) Reply
      That dress is one of the worse designed attire ever created.
    • To rattie (11/04/2024, 14:17) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      Surprised no one has commented all these years that some of Maya Angelo's words are in that song and it is plagiarized.
  • Town still a mess (10/04/2024, 20:07) Like (41) Dislike (4) Reply
    This is what we talking bout? When people have wooden buildings taking up valuable parking spaces at the band stand and the ghuts still ain’t cleaned?

    4th district in shambles, truly a disgrace.
    • Politic in Everything.. (11/04/2024, 03:08) Like (27) Dislike (6) Reply
      Politics created the dress and the song, so I ain see nothing wrong with politics changing it.. I always believe that Forbes the Fungi singer voice should be a part of the national song with a blend of Funji music, , don't matter who write the lyrics, The national wear is too much colours, Since we live off the land and the, put the Brown rep, the soil, the green represent vibrant life and the light blue rep the ocean..Give the colours meaning. I have no idea what the colours now represent....I am for reviewing it and making adjustments....
    • @ town stills mess (11/04/2024, 10:15) Like (11) Dislike (6) Reply
      I must commend the jr minister for her courage in making this move it has the support of the silent majority do it in time for the 70th
  • change (10/04/2024, 20:22) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
    The fabric needs to be a blend. It washes out and fades too quick as it does a now
    • Rabsatt (11/04/2024, 21:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      It washes out too quickly.Fabric NOT colour fast.
      • Me (11/04/2024, 23:27) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        I had the red run on my white when I washed it.. Was not happy at all. Wasted money on the outfit.
  • Struupes (10/04/2024, 20:56) Like (45) Dislike (11) Reply
    Why Luce? Is this a priority right now? You and Karl pass that burnt car on the road West End, everyday. Put some energy into cleaning up this place man. Struupes
    • @Struupes (11/04/2024, 08:50) Like (9) Dislike (5) Reply
      My thoughts exactly. So many issues in this place and they think this is a priority. I don't cuss but I just feel like letting out some obscenities. Lord Jesus help us.
    • really dude (11/04/2024, 10:05) Like (13) Dislike (13) Reply
      Lmao last time I check she does not work Waste Management that car legit has nothing to do with her! why you don't move it? since you clearly do pass it every day!
      • Struupes Again (11/04/2024, 19:52) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
        She doesn’t work Solid Waste but go see that she and Karl had it moved today! She is the Jr. Minister of Tourism for crying out loud! If she can’t ensure the place is clean then what’s her purpose? The same way they moved it today is the same way it could’ve been moved a long time ago! She just driving past it in her Government car in red lip stick everyday and Karl in his Government car grinning!! I’m fed up man. I’m fed up! Do things before people have to be crying out for it to be done. We have had enough!!
  • lol ???? (10/04/2024, 21:09) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    So what to do with our previous culture wears ?
  • New Kid on the Block (10/04/2024, 21:46) Like (30) Dislike (1) Reply
    A DIFFERENT PERSON STANDS TO MAKE MONEY
    • Total change. (11/04/2024, 03:12) Like (14) Dislike (4) Reply
      The song, the colours, the style, Everything needs changing, including Lou, and VIP add Ronnie to the changing list..
  • NB (10/04/2024, 22:42) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    Of course go ahead and review. This is a very very important matter at the moment. Just when I thought ayo couldn’t surprise me anymore.
  • Anonymous (10/04/2024, 23:15) Like (9) Dislike (13) Reply
    I never like it in the first place Myron and the hull people are not indigenous
  • flUffy (10/04/2024, 23:51) Like (47) Dislike (1) Reply
    Everything in this country UNDER REVIEW ,BESIDES THE COST OF LIVING AND THE MINIMUM WAGE!! ( THE TERRITORIAL CLOTH COST MORE PER YARD THAN THE MINIMUM WAGE)???????????? GOD HELP US!! MAKE IT MAKE SENSE!????????????????
  • tola (11/04/2024, 05:16) Like (25) Dislike (7) Reply
    She and karl is two waste
    • HON GASTON BROWNE (11/04/2024, 20:07) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      Leave carl for we i the first if he does not buck up next election he in serious problem
  • Roger Burnett (11/04/2024, 06:44) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
    Culture isn't something that can be made up. It's not a promotional product. If it's not entrenched in the belly of the people, it counts for nought.

    Put that in your cultural pipe and smoke it.
  • Sigh (11/04/2024, 06:55) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    The current culture wear is ugly, the reviewed one isn't much better.
  • WOW (11/04/2024, 07:28) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    OUT OF EVERYTHING THAT THE BVI NEEDED IN TERMS OF PRIORITY , THIS IS WHAT YOU CHOOSE TO SPEND MONEY AND GOVT TIME ON. DONT WE HAVE MORE IMPORTANT MATTERS AT HAND ?
  • La Reina (11/04/2024, 07:52) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    I like it.
  • Comment (11/04/2024, 08:53) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    The cultural fabric needs to change also.
  • Hmm (11/04/2024, 08:58) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    I think we should send it out to the public for ideas until we get a suitable one. That one was not the one. sorry
  • Real (11/04/2024, 09:32) Like (17) Dislike (5) Reply
    I agree with you Luce and that Territorial song has got to go as well. Our fore parents did not refer to their homes as huts. We need to consult with our elders when we are dealing with our culture. I hate to hear folks mis pronouncing 'Territory' with Territree'. This is what bad politics does to a Territory. Let's scrap the whole damn thing, because I hate to hear that song.
  • lodger (11/04/2024, 10:04) Like (12) Dislike (21) Reply
    This is long over due Myron was not the right person to do this he is not from here Luce is one of us I am concerned this took so long to change
  • MY VOICE (11/04/2024, 10:21) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
    I totally agree with the decision to change the territorial wear but at the same time ALL things need to be considered including the style, the colors, the print , the cost and most importantly, the change to have the fabric sold at the other retail stores in the territory. Secondly, this decision should NOT be made by one person but should reflect the views of the general public.
  • lmao (11/04/2024, 10:28) Like (22) Dislike (6) Reply
    While the white people here buying up properties and taking over all the marine businesses, we are here worrying about fucking long time ago clothes? Wow!!!
  • jack@$$ (11/04/2024, 11:40) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    When my granny used to walk with basket on her head she didn't dress like that
  • Let it be known (11/04/2024, 11:51) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Each and every politician when they get in office. Always try and change something that works well and find fault with the current system that was in place and find some stupid reason to change it.


    From education come right down. And parent always want to blame teachers for how the school system is set up. It's the ministers doing and underlings
  • bvibuzz (11/04/2024, 12:50) Like (6) Dislike (11) Reply
    Only the vip got the balls to change these things Lorna thanks for saving us from a three party Coalition
  • fabric (11/04/2024, 14:24) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why do we need a special design cloth that can only be purchased by one company? State the colors that should be used and let people buy the different colors and design what folk-lore dress or shirt etc they want do wear. But then again, this is beevee-eye and politics has to be the front of everything. Only those close to the rolling party of the day will prosper.

    Once the VIP goes out of power, will the incoming party change the song and dress design as well? Just asking if we will be going around the mountain as usual.

    I personally don't care for no territorial dress or song as I never sing it nor wear any of the hype up expensive fabric and my children never dress in them. Do what you-all wanna do while the country keep sinking and running behind
  • homegrown (11/04/2024, 16:19) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    The country don't have more important things to work on she full of $:::t
  • my country (11/04/2024, 17:37) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    The person who is using MY VOICE is not the original Voice. Why?

    Because MY Voice DO NOT agree that the VI's Territorial Dress should be changed. LEAVE IT AS IT IS

    NOTE:
    The British Virgin Islands is the Last Country in the whole World to have a National Dress. While all the other Countries and Nations in the world had and have a National Dress, the BVI did not had any. We just get our National Dress in 2012 and now we want to change it. People done spend thousands of dollars on this fabric, made several outfits for themselves and their children and now they want to change it. We portray it and symbolize it in Queen Shows, Prince and Princess Shows and other Events and now we want to change it.

    Where was this Hon. Mrs. Luce Hodge-Smith when they came up with the National Dress in the first place, why she did not say something before it became so widespread. Why she did not Voice her opinion then. But as soon as she get in power she want to come change it.

    Well MY VOICE Says that if they change this National Dress, I am not going to spend anymore money to make another one. I will prefer to use the UK Flag and make my own National Dress from that.

    I Hope that we are going to Change the National Flag as well. I mean the British Virgin Islands Flag with the Vigilate on it - and that is MY VOICE.

    I do not care who agree or disagree with me. That's MY VOICE and Opinion.






  • To Lmao (11/04/2024, 21:12) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    I agree with you. These people are freaking retarded.
  • born here (12/04/2024, 08:37) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    Change it yes them island people and first generation trying to run things, but we not going to let it happen
  • what to do? (12/04/2024, 09:11) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    The Be Vee Eye a luxury liner, sailing the Caribbbean Sea; wid a young Captain they call Slo Wandee, after just one year he burying we…Captain the ship is sinking, the seas are ruff, the gas tank almost empty, expensive electricity, the oil pressure reading LOW; shall we abandon ship or shall we stay on it and perish slow? HELL NO! Throw the Captain overboard and pull for the shore Sailor! The time is right to take action unless we all want to go under with Captain RECKLESS!


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