One of the pieces on display from Digicel's fashion line. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer FOOD, FASHION and a friendly atmosphere set the stage for the launch of 'Caribbean Fashionweek' (CFW) on Thursday. The cool open air of the Hilton Hotel, New Kingston poolside along with a little food, wine and fashion, proved the perfect combination for a delightful start to the event. Fashionists, celebrities and media from around the world turned out for the launch of the third instalment of CFW. Local celebrities included Spragga Benz, Half Pint and Mutabaruka. Lisa Hanna, Wendy Fitzwilliam, Michelle Lecky and Ayisha Richards were some of the beauty queens who were present at the event. They mingled freely with the capacity crowd.
Mixing and mingling began before CFW executive Kingsley Cooper began the introductions and commendations and asked representatives from the various sponsorship organisations to speak. Minister of Commerce, Science and Technology, Phillip Paulwell, began his brief address by emphasising the importance and relevance of the local garment industry to development and expressed the intention to contribute through CFW to its development. Representatives from Digicel, the obvious brand name of CFW, also gave brief comments.
MINGLING
One got the impression that those present were more interested in mingling than in the formalities, since they chatted freely throughout each address. Of course, this could be as a result of the liquor, which flowed freely throughout the night, rather than any direct attempts to ignore the speakers.
The mood lightened even more when the compére Dawn-Lisa Callender-Smith from Barbados reminded the guests of the reason for the event with the unveiling of the Digicel line. The mini-fashion show exposed how the designers conceptualised Digicel.
The designs, casual and fun, featured the company's colours, red and green mixed with yellow and white. In fact, the whole decor was Digi-oriented. Digi-coloured tablecloths, Digi-signs, models wearing little more than Digi-coloured paint, and Digicel phones everywhere.
The guests got a pleasant surprise with the announcement of performances from popular acts such as Spragga Benz, Half Pint, The Gumption Band, The Rob Dennis Mento Band and the highlight of the evening, R&B singing sensation Melba Moore. Each act delighted and tantalised the crowd.
