Kavelle Anglin-Christie, Staff Reporter
Life's a beach for this trio of models at the launch of Saint International's Style Week 2006, held at JAMPRO's head office, New Kingston, on Tuesday. - WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
SAINT INTERNATIONAL'S Style Week Jamaica was launched on Tuesday afternoon at JAMPRO's office in New Kingston.
According to Deiwight Peters, CEO of Saint International, this year's event promises to be one with a difference. He said this year there will be a number of designers from across the world who have been eager to participate in the show, as well as a noted design school.
"For the first time here in Jamaica there will be persons from the Parsons School of Design," Peters said.
FASHION, ENTERTAINMENT MERGE
This year will also see the merging of fashion and entertainment. One feature included in this year's show is the 'Most Fashionable Entertainer', and Peters says they already have nominees which are being short-listed. Among them is dancehall artiste Mr. Lexx, who was also present at the launch.
Pat Francis, the outgoing president of JAMPRO, says Style Week Jamaica was created as a platform for young designers to showcase their talent to the world, adding "This is the only fashion event that has significantly more Jamaican participants than any other." She also said designers, "instead of working as a unit, should work as a conglomerate," in order to achieve more. Those in attendance applauded in agreement.
EVENT SCHEDULES
This year's event, which will consist of three main shows, will take place from May 26-28. Friday night's show, 'Bikini Poluza', will take place at the Pegasus poolside, while Saturday night's show, the 'Jamaica Observer International Mecca of Style', at the Pegasus ballroom, will feature designers from as far as South Africa and Paris. Actually, because of the large response to the show, there will be two shows that night.
Finally, on Sunday night, Digicel's Fashion Block will take place at Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston.
"This is something that the world is mesmerised by," said Dr. Sydney Bartley of the Department of Culture in the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Entertainment.
"Whenever I tell anyone about the show, that there is a fashion show with a massive runway in the middle of the street, they can't believe it. That is only something that we as Jamaicans could think of and pull off," he said.
