Tesi Johnson, Gleaner Writer
Left: Jamaica's most successful model to date, Jaunel McKenzie, manning the runway at Caribbean Fashionweek 2006 in a Posh Punk creation Right: Twice-named 'World Model of the Week' by Models.com, Pulse's Orane Barrett elevated his star in 2006. He was an Ambercrombie & Fitch campaign star, completed a multi-page spread in 'Rockstar' magazine, brought the house down at the first ever St. Kitts Fashion Weekend, campaigned for Target, Damon Dash, Roc-A-Fella records and 'Arena' magazine. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
From Pulse International Agency
Jaunel McKenzie continued her reign as the world's top black model and cemented her status as Jamaica's most successful model to date. (See more of her story in flair section, article 10
The woman immortalised by her 'ghetto to Gucci' story, Pulse's Nadine Willis, enjoyed the June publication of her eight-page editorial in Vibe magazine. Her new Banana Republic campaign also hit publications and billboards in the fall.
Pulse's Nicole Grey captured the coveted M.A.C campaign, and appeared in the fashion feature in the April issue of Essence magazine. She also did an eight-page editorial spread for Britain's Pride magazine and has recently inked a deal that will cast her in the role of lead actress in the movie Better Mus Come to be shot in Jamaica early 2007.
In September, Rochelle Watson of Pulse International Agency shot the Adidas campaign in September, joining the world famous rapper Missy Elliott as a face for the label. In June she made the cover of Time Out - a top British Entertainment Guide and has done editorials for Boltz and Dazed & Confused.
Shortly after her arrival on the international marketplace, Jeneil Williams landed the Bennetton campaign and booked the Motorola Europe campaign. Models.com also declared her world 'Model of the Week' for a week in March.
Pulse's Khalil Marks walked for several celebrated designers at New York Fashion Week, including Lacoste, Next Top and Zan Barrett. He was also featured on the pages of NYmag.com as one of the hot new faces doing runway duties for menswear designers this season.
Sunna Gottshalk, the pride of Burnt Savannah, Westmoreland, was confirmed as the new star for Nordstrom and also landed Seventeen magazine, Saks Fifth Avenue and Soft Sheen Carson (again)! In 2006, she also shot Alexander McQueen.
PULSE'S NEW FACES TO WATCH 2007
Shevolee Bell: The Caribbean's Next Supermodel winner 2006.
Gaye McDonald: CMS winner 2005 just completed high school and is now being courted by four of the top NY agencies.
Adrianna Bryan: CMS third place 2005 also finished high school and is rearing to take on the international modelling scene.
Jheanelle Nairne: Caribbean Model Search live show winner 2006.
Sashana Grey: Runner-up Jamaica's Next Supermodel 2006.
Danielle Lowe: Top six Jamaica's Next Supermodel.
Donna Archer: Barbados' Next Supermodel winner 2006
Kenwyn Millington: Trinidad Male Face winner 2005.
From Saint International Agency
Saint model Kevin McDowell is the new face of the popular urban and leisure company Enyce. Another Saint model, Rory Mitchell also appeared for Enyce. - Contributed photos
Saint International's Sigail Currie worked a record three consecutive times for the powerful French label House of Yves St. Laurent. She also walked for 10 shows in her first season during the Fall/Winter Collections of New York Fashion Week.
Saint model Nakeisha Robinson shot a second cover for the German fashion and entertainment publication, STYLE. She also graced the cover of the London Times Fashion supplement early in the year, clocked time for Target, Neiman Marcus, TOP SHOP.
Sosheba Griffith of Saint International appeared for six of the major shows during Mercedes Benz L.A. Fashion Week and returned to New York where she appeared twice for Teen Vogue and Nylon magazines.
Raschelle Osbourne booked her spot on some of the most coveted runways at New York Fashion Week including David Meister, Imitation of Christ, and Mischon Schur. She also made a powerful impression during Mercedes Benz L.A. Fashion Week walking for an impressive 10 designers.
Saint's Dionne Stephenson made the cover of the Irish high fashion bible Prudence in the first quarter of 2006 and appeared in Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class campaign.
Saint International directly booked the prestigious Benetton Spring 2006 campaign for its model Noella Arnold. Noella has since done engagements for The Fader, L'oreal's 'Dark and Lovely' campaign and has appeared twice on the cover of Japanese magazine Luire and walked for the Gen Art shows during New York Fashion Week.
Richard Fuller firmly placed the Jamaican male frame on the catwalks of Milan during the Men Collections when he appeared for Vivienne Westwood and Dolce and Gabanna's trendy D&G line.
Marlando Vassell has enjoyed the status of a leading editorial models in London with multi-page features in Men's Fitness, Fader and Brides, among other magazines.
Saint International model Maurice Lawrence is the new face of the Guinness regional television campaign to be launched soon. Lawrence was supported in the lead by another Saint model, Marlando Vassell.
The resilient Saint model, Cloe, blazed her success trail with a cover from Dutch Flair magazine. She also appeared for the Roc-A-Wear campaign and enjoyed a fabulous six page spread in the Britain's Aspire magazine.
Saint model Arian Collman made an impressive first year showing in New York with bookings for Benetton and BCBG Max Azria. She was also featured as a model for the finals of the hit 'BRAVO TV' show, Project Runway, hosted by supermodel Heidi Klum.
The Year 2006 saw Jamaican models registering unprecedented bookings and campaigns on the international fashion circuit, so much so, there isn't enough space in this column to detail them all!
Celebrated names in fashion such as Dolce and Gabbana, Elle magazine, Rimmel Cosmetics, and the like, sought out Jamaican faces to represent their products. If this trend continues, and all indicators show that it will, 2007 will not be the 'Year of the Pig' as the Chinese would have it - au contraire - but the 'Year of the Yardie Model'!
Let their arresting billboards, illustrious pictures and multiple runway appearances show, that Jamaican faces are a mainstay in international fashion - get used to it world!
SAINT new FACES TO WATCH IN 2007
Robert Taylor is Male Fashion Face of the Caribbean 2006 and is signed to Vision New York.
Venecia Bennett's bright personality and amazing body is the reason why four top New York agencies are now bidding on her.
Jermaine Maragh - Winner of 2005 CVM Faces of Summer was offered a contract with top New York Men's agency Wilhelmina.
Raffick Gilpin - created history (at 14 years old) as the youngest Jamaican male model to gain international representation with Vision Models New York.
