Three of the contestants in this year's Caribbean Model Search. - Contributed

The Caribbean Model Search continues on CVM TV this week. With the competition narrowed down to just over 350 contestants for the local leg of the reality show, the live shows, which are open to the public will begin airing on September 3.

According to Kingsley Cooper, Pulse CEO: "The TV show will air the episode around September 30. The following week, October 7, the Caribbean Model Search will begin."

Cooper, along with judges Romae Gordon, fashion director at Pulse and socialite and writer Chester Francis Jackson, plans to narrow down the finalists to 150.

The Caribbean Model Search is a spin-off of another model talent search, the Pulse Model Search, launched in 1988. It was inspired by Kimberley Mais' success in Paris, New York and Tokyo in 1987. Since then, the show has grown to become a Caribbeanwide event (2002) and a TV show (2003).

Challenges

"This year it is truly a reality TV show, with contestants literally living together for several weeks and being reduced to the eventual winner over this period, through a series of challenges," Cooper said.

Speaking on the current talent for Pulse's Model Search that is being aired on television, Mr. Copper says: "They are an outstanding group. In Jamaica there is no shortage of talent; all want to be models."

Kingsley Cooper states: "What makes Pulse models special is superior selection, quality and talent. A better eye for that special X factor (whatever it is in an individual), expert guidance and international industry knowledge." Thus, the criteria are very specific, "We are looking for persons from ages 14 to 24; Jamaican (for the Jamaica preliminary); a winner from a Caribbean country (for the Caribbean finals, which follows the Jamaica competition)," Cooper said. "The Model look medium to slim 5ft 4in to 5ft 7in for petite, 5ft 8in to 6ft for Fashion and 5ft 11in to 6ft 2in for Mal Face. Great face, beauty, intriguing features, etc."