Michelle Devonish, an award-winning British creative entrepreneur of Antiguan descent and founder of the acclaimed luxury lifestyle brand KQ-Empire, has officially confirmed that the brand’s highly anticipated 13th magazine issue and its accompanying star-studded red-carpet soirée will be rescheduled for 2027. The decision comes after Devonish sustained life-altering injuries in a severe road traffic collision on the island earlier this year.
Devonish first traveled to Antigua in April 2026, carrying an ambitious strategic plan to expand KQ-Empire into new creative markets across Antigua and the wider Caribbean region. Her core objectives for the visit included growing the brand’s regional footprint, forging deeper ties with Antigua’s local fashion and lifestyle ecosystem, and elevating emerging designers and creative talent from across the Caribbean community. At the center of this expansion push were the 13th magazine issue and the curated soirée, titled *Haute Cuisine: The Intersection Between Art, High Fashion and Culture*, which was designed to serve as a groundbreaking cross-industry gathering connecting local and international chefs, fashion innovators, leading creatives, and senior representatives from global luxury fashion houses.
Tragedy struck on April 29, 2026, while Devonish was conducting site visits for the upcoming event. She was involved in the serious car crash that left her with significant physical injuries, including damage to her cervical spine, alongside lasting psychological trauma from the collision. Faced with her extended recovery timeline, Devonish and her KQ-Empire team had no other option but to announce a full postponement of both the 13th issue and the 2026 soirée, and all international guests already planning travel to Antigua were promptly notified of the change.
Beyond the disruption to her business plans, the accident and subsequent recovery process has given Devonish firsthand insight into gaps in post-accident rehabilitation care in Antigua that she described as previously unseen and deeply concerning. As she continues to work through treatment, physical recovery, and the numerous practical barriers that have complicated her rehabilitation journey, Devonish says she hopes her experience will ultimately spark a broader public conversation about improving post-accident care and support systems across the island.
The delay hits KQ-Empire at a pivotal moment of growth for the independent luxury publisher. Commonly known to its global readership as KQ, the brand has built a reputation as a distinctive voice in luxury media, and has expanded far beyond its original print roots to add successful podcasting and a line of luxury soft home furnishings to its portfolio. Over its years of operation, KQ has secured high-profile collaborations with globally recognized luxury brands including Tiffany & Co. and Mercedes-Benz, while cultivating a unique creative identity that spans fashion, fine art, design, travel and global culture.
Antigua has always been a core part of KQ’s brand identity. Through iconic editorial features ranging from profiles of trailblazing local women to explorations of dual-country fashion culture for expats, Devonish and her team have consistently centered Antigua, its people, and its vibrant creative energy in the magazine’s signature visual storytelling.
Today, while Devonish notes that her full physical and psychological recovery remains her top immediate priority, the outpouring of support from collaborators, readers, and brand sponsors has only strengthened her commitment to bringing the postponed project to life in 2027. “Every single day, we receive messages from people who were preparing to take part in Issue 13 and the 2026 soirée,” Devonish shared in a statement. “We fully recognize how disappointing this setback has been for everyone who was looking forward to this event, and we are deeply grateful for every message of support we have received from communities across Antigua and around the world.”
She added: “We can promise that when we make our comeback in 2027, we will deliver the same level of brilliance, creativity, and innovation that KQ has always stood for.”
Devonish also extended a personal, heartfelt thank you to several local individuals and businesses that stood by her during her recovery: the owners of CocoRose Guest House, Rose Brooks, Joshua’s Taxi service, and a group of special community members in South Antigua, who she described as an unwavering pillar of support through the most challenging days after her accident.