Carla Campbell presents a design from Barry Moncrieffe at Caribbean Fashionweek 2004.
-Winston Sill photo
Alicia Roache, Staff Reporter
IF YOU thought that
2004 seemed filled with stories of models making impressive strides in the international market, that's because it was. While Jamaicans have been performing admirably on catwalks and in catalogues over the years, 2004 seemed to be the year when models, new and old, launched and relaunched their careers to
varying degrees of success
internationally.
By sheer numbers, the
suggestion is that the modelling industry is experiencing a boom. Long-time fashion powerhouse Pulse has had many models in the international markets over the years. However, in the past year, Pusle models have had notable successes internationally.
DREAM YEAR
Jaunel McKenzie, whose star seemed to eclipse Nadine Willis' in 2004, is described by Pulse as having "a dream year second to none in the international
modelling industry."
"Ms McKenzie has built an enviable résumé since the start of her career. In 2004, her star shone even brighter," says a release from the company.
Jaunel shot four magazine
covers in 2004 W, French, L'Officiel and the New York Times magazine has appeared in 10 spreads for American Vogue and done one each for German, French and Italian
editions.
In 2004, she also appeared on a record 45 shows in the major fashion cities. She did 23 in New York alone for New York Fashion Week. Her campaign roster got major additions in 2004 as well, with clients such as Tommy Hilfiger, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Macy, The Gap, Banana Republic, Bennetton, H&M and Adidas. One of the most talked-about fashion stories of late 2004 was Jaunel's coveted Victoria's Secret campaign.
Of course, there were many other successes from newcomers and long-time models. Sunna Gottshalk appeared in multiple Elle magazines and did
campaigns for Jergens, L'Oreal and Sephora. Rochelle Watson became the fourth Pulse model to appear in Vogue in 2004 and Oraine Barrett ('Male Face of Jamaica', 2004) earned a
campaign for Abercrombie
and Fitch.
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Long-time Pulse models Carla Campbell and Janelle Robinson had notable accomplishments in 2004. Carla's international career began in the late 1990s when she placed fifth in the Pulse Model Search, but it was in 2004 that her relatively dormant career
was revamped.
Armed with a personal trainer and a new agency in IMG, the same agency that represents supermodels Alek Wek, Tyra Banks and Liya Kebede, Carla reshaped her body and refocused her attention on major
campaigns, her sights set on campaigns from Victoria's Secret and a cover of Sports Illustrated magazine.
Carla's makeover was not in vain, however. She has since snagged a campaign for Eastern Caribbean's Bounty Rum and has become a model spokesperson for the brand. She is also on option for Vogue and Valentino.
Janelle 'Nell' Robinson, who won the first Supermodel of the Caribbean title in 2002, started modelling internationally with Ford in 2003. But 2004 saw the start of an improvement for Nell, who shot the covers of two
leading British men's magazines GQ (March) and Arena (January) both for 2005. She
also shot the J-Lo perfume
campaign, all three taking place in the first few weeks of December 2004. She is now listed among the top five new faces in Britain.
"I am so excited about what is happening in my career at this time and appearing on the cover of GQ is great," said Nell about her success.
Models from Saint International have also stormed the fashion world in what was an incredible year for the models as well as the agency. Newcomers from Saint's CVM Faces of Summer competition in 2004 were signed shortly after the conclusion of the competition. Three Saint models, Shanique Bailey, Sasheba Griffith and Robin Salm, were signed to Planit M shortly after the
competition. Other models included in the finals also got signed to top international
agencies. Sasha Gaye Hunt was signed to Women/ Supreme; Martin Porteous to Ford Men; Kareem McKenzie to Elite Men; Sean Thaxter to Fusion and Acleish Pearson to Q model management.
INDICATION OF POSSIBILITIES
While multiple signings do not mean definite success, it is an indication of the possibilities for a model. Sasha-Gaye and Shanique were listed as two Saint models on the ones2watch website, one of the fashion industry's trumpets of the hottest new faces to hit the international market in 2004.
Of course, the presence of Saint's male models was
especially felt in 2004. Popular local model Kibwe McGann copped a worldwide Puma Jamaica Fragrance campaign in 2004. Other 'Saints', Doren Bailey, Colet Buckley and Mario Miller, continued to make impressive strides in the world's major fashion markets. Each model walked for top designers in Milan, including Etro and Fendi, while Buckley strutted for Italian fashion icon Giorgio Armani and Marc Ecco.
According to Saint CEO Deiwight Peters, the success of Saint will continue into 2005. "The big one is yet to come; after all, the motive from the start was to develop a
world-class agency..."
ZAHNI'S YEAR
Not to be left out of the foray in 2004, was an agency that was very new to the local and international fashion industry. While its
accomplishments have not been as impressive as that of Pulse and Saint, it was nontheless a good year for Zahni and its models. The agency which started up in 2002 reported initial success in 2004, signing 14 of its models to top agencies in New York, Paris and London. Its headline model, Cassandra Taylor (Super Fashion Face of Jamaica 2004) signed to Eon models, and has since done work for Tommy Hilfiger, DKNY, Alice Roi, Adidas, Target, Fader Magazine, Vibe, Paper and Suede magazines.
Even though Cassandra is so far the most successful of the Zahni models, there are others who had the door of opportunity swing open in 2004. Among these were Andre Roumell, signed to Paris agency WhyNot; Osahne Porter, signed to Next, New York; Latoya Manning, signed to Images; Fitzroy Johnson, signed to Karin; and Ricardo Bailey with Models 1.
Marlon Bolton, Zahni boss, envisions greater things for the agency and its models in 2005. "I want to sign at least 35 models, shared in all the major markets," he says. "I am going to make sure I get the covers of Vogue and Elle and nail the Gucci, Prada, Tommy and D&G (Dolce and Gabbana) campaigns."
"2004 was a really special year," says Deiwight Peters, in commenting on the success of his models Nakiesha Robinson, who copped the coveted D&G campaign in 2004, and Yashmin, who earned a DKNY campaign late into 2004 as well.
Whatever the plans for 2005, it is hoped that the year may be as good for Jamaica's models as 2004.
