Alicia Roache, Staff Reporter
Saint model, Denise Scott, poses in a design from the Neah Lis collection at the media launch of Saint International's Style Week Jamaica, held at the JAMPRO head office, Trafalgar Road, New Kingston on Tuesday, May 24. - WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
THIS IS the reason you anticipate a Saint International event. Everything, yes everything, is drama.
On Tuesday, May 24, Saint International launched its Style Week Jamaica at the Jampro head office on Trafalgar Road, New Kingston. But one does not usually get drama at a press launch not unless, of course, it is the launch of a Saint International event.
The staid and very low-keyed lobby of the Jampro offices was transformed into a fashionista's delight. At the entrance and within the lobby, models posed on stands in samples by some of the designers to be featured during Style Week.
Models Denise Dennis and Christopher Reid, both wearing camouflage designs from Clinton Smith's Imegewear, held militant poses on the stoop at the entrance of the building. Inside, Denise Scott expertly balanced on a platform in a design from the Neah Lis Collection and other models posed in designs from Gia Marie and Siim.
STAR STUDDIED
And in keeping with the launch, that was as star studded as a Saint catwalk, models, local and international designers, press and sponsors converged to learn of the plans for this edition of Style Week.
Saint CEO Deiwight Peters opened the proceedings set against a large flat panel display of the Saint International website in the background by noting that beyond the glitz and glamour of the fashion industry, much of which was evident at the launch, fashion was a serious business.
It was a point that was endorsed by the presence of representatives from ubiquitous sponsors Digicel and The Jamaica Business Development Commission (JBDC). Peters noted that the vision for fashion in Jamaica is as a multi-dimensional project, one which will "educate and develop, promote and broaden" the scope of Jamaican designers.
PLANS OUTLINED
The presence of the Ambassador of France, His Excellency Mr. Francis Hurtut, and Mr. Sydney Bartley, director of culture in the Ministry of Education, also spoke to that vision. Each representative spoke of the significance of Style Week, not just to fashion, but to business and culture as well.
Peters outlined the plans for Style Week, right down to the running order of the show, noting to chuckles that "Yes, we are that organised."
Among the plans for Style Week is a swimwear and accessories show the Island Vibrations Bikini Polooza held yesterday at the Jamaica Pegasus Poolside. That was followed today by a panel discussion at the Jampro head office, where designers and other fashion authorities will meet to discuss the 'Jamaican Designers Move to a Higher Fashion Value'.
The exclusive showing of French collections by designers Xulibet and Gaspard Yurkievich will premier at a special VIP reception hosted by the French Ambassador today as well.
The collections will also be on show at the International Mecca of Style (IMOS) on Saturday, May 28, at the University of the West Indies Assembly Hall. IMOS will also showcase the collections of other designers scheduled for Style Week, among them Roger Gary, Minka, Pat Blackman, Siim, Dexter Pottinger, Yolande Bennett, Ande Sew, Clinton Smith and Les Campbell.
Designers will show collections in two shows, IMOS and the highly-anticipated Fashionblock, the free fashion show to be held in the middle of Knutsford Boulevard on Sunday. Fashionblock will climax Style Week.
With the presence of local and international media, Models.com, BET.com and BET Style, Essence Magazine, Divas Mag, Paris and Surface Magazine among others, to be realised, Harold Davis, director of the JBDC, noted that Style Week "has the potential to be the mecca of style for fashion for this region."
