Raymond Small shows off his 'Model of the Year 2002' trophy at the Champs Model Management's awards ceremony on Sunday night. Small was also voted the 'Male Business Earner of the Year'. The awards ceremony and fashion show was held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel Ballroom and was attended by a moderate-sized crowd. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer AN OBVIOUSLY shocked Raymond Small was awarded the 'Model of the Year' award as the curtains came down on the Champs Model Management's '10th Anniversary Fashion Show and Awards' held on Sunday night.
When Small heard his name, he covered his mouth and shook his head in disbelief. It was explained that he was one of the major money earners for the agency, being one of the featured models in the Ammar's, Red Stripe and Centennial multi-media advertising campaigns, with several other campaigns to be released later this year. As a result he also took home the 'Male Business Achiever of the Year' award.
PRAISE
During the three-hour long show at the New Kingston, Jamaica Pegasus Hotel's ballroom, the agency showcased its talent and praised the models who excelled in the year 2002. Kerry-Ann Lewis, one of the agency's more popular models, won awards for 'Female Business Achiever of the Year'; 'Best Movement Female'; 'Best Presentation Female' and' Most Photogenic Female'. Other awards went to Denver McDonald and plus-sized model Kamika Thomas for 'Most Improved' male and female respectively, and Horace Walker won the 'Best Movement Male' award. Meanwhile, Neil Wright and Desmarie Stewart were adjudged the 'Most Dynamic' male and female models, respectively.
The awards show was sandwiched between fashion presentations categorised as 'Men In Black','Secrets of the Underneath' and 'Formal Elegance'.
During the 'Men in Black', segment, the agency's male models appeared clad in black garbage bags which they later removed to reveal sexy male swimwear designed by Spunk. As they danced to Will Smith's Men In Black, they ripped the bags off and had the women in the audience screaming with delight.
Not to be outdone, the female models soon followed with 'Secrets of the Underneath'. The segment was very similar to a Victoria Secrets fashion show and featured very revealing lingerie accentuated in some cases by wings and in other instances, veils. The standout number was a pair of black wings, black-lace teddy, garter belt, thigh-high stockings and black heels worn by Kerry-Ann Lewis.
'FORMAL ELEGANCE'
A segment dubbed 'Formal Elegance' closed the fashion show, and the outfits worn by the female models were divided in two sections.
The first set were regal designs from 'Touch of Africa' which were followed by risqué numbers designed by Champs boss Debbie-Ann Stanley.
The males modelled tuxedos courtesy of Beautiful Brides and Mr. Tux.
However, the night's highlight was a dance performed by Champs model Horace 'Face' Walker, and Kamla. The pair executed a sensuous latin-inspired routine to the song I've Had The Time Of My Life by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warner. During the performance, Kamla lost a shoe but she did not miss a step, eventually kicking off the other shoe.
Master of Ceremonies Weston Haughton dubbed the event, "The time of my life."
