Vogue Lauds Caribbean Fashionweek, Again!

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

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ogue, the “bible” of modern fashion worldwide, has once again lauded Caribbean Fashionweek, the region’s major fashion event, for its uniqueness as well as its outstanding contribution to global fashion. CFW was described some years ago by British Vogue as an important new trend in world fashion and once again, the 2014 staging, drew accolades, this time from the Italian edition of the Conde Nast flagship publication.

 

CFW was covered by Vogue’s Declan Eytan, an Italian of Surinamese roots. While hailing the landmark event, Eytan noted that “the recently concluded Caribbean Fashionweek, marks the fourteenth edition of the highly anticipated Kingston-based fashion event, produced by Jamaican modeling agency and entertainment company, Pulse”.

Eytan added “A remarkable feature of this year's Caribbean Fashionweek, was the infusion of a shopping area inside the show venue, which made it possible for attendees to shop the collections presented on the runway.

A digital version of this shopping area – shopcaribbeanfashion.com – allows those who live overseas, to purchase the Caribbean designer garments as well. The online shopping platform is in line with Caribbean FashionWeek 2014's focus on monetizing fashion design with a global audience in mind, which was further – emphasized through a Business Forum, held on the first day of the four-day fashion extravaganza.”

Cedella Marley collection

As can be expected, Vogue was keen on the designers’ collections showcased at CFW and the new trends reflected. Eytan highlighted the Cedella Marley collection, as well as the presence of Pulse’s and the region’s top male model Oraine Barrett. For him, the musical performances were what differentiated CFW from the other major fashion weeks in the world, stating:

Oraine Barrett

Amongst the designers which showcased their work, were Bob Marley's eldest daughter - Cedella Marley - in addition to a slew of models and designers that hailed from other parts of the Caribbean and the Diaspora. Besides the fashion, it was the musical performances by various Jamaican artists including Maxi Priest, which differentiated the Caribbean Fashionweek from its Western counterparts. The presence of Jamaica's most sought-after male model slash Ralph Lauren favourite, Oraine Barrett, made for an additional crowd-pleaser.

As far as trends were concerned, many designers took inspiration from nature via floral details and leaf prints. Among the stand-out pieces were the knitted multicolour cut-out dress by Tosha Groves & Tandra Birkett, in addition to the seductive designs of Jehan Jackson. As one may expect from a Caribbean-centered fashion week, there wasn't a shortage of state of the art swimwear either”

The full story is available at: VOGUE

 

Photos by Luca Khouri

 

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Designer Collections From Caribbean Fashionweek (CFW) 2014

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

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FW took place in Kingston, Jamaica from June11-16th a production by Pulse, a fashion and entertainment company which pioneered the development of the fashion and modelling industries in the Caribbean. 

The launch of www.Shopcaribbeanfashion.com at this year's event means that international fashion lovers based in the UK & USA can purchase directly from the catwalk online or in person by attending the shows, supporting talented Caribbean designers in the process.

Take a look of selection from Caribbean Fashionweek (CFW) 2014.

Roots Rock Rebelle

Vain Glory by Jehan Jackson

 

The Cloth by designers Robert Young and MarkEastman

 

IsayU Son of My Loins collection by KirstenBenjamin

 

Everblazing for Fifa

 

Alicia Mullings

 

 

Hope Wade

Marley Apparel’ collection by Cedella Marley

 

(Image credit- Photographed by Luca Khouri (www.lucakhouri.com)

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Shopcaribbeanfashion.com an Online Caribbean Designer Shop Was Officially Opened at at Caribbean Fashionweek 2014

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he official opening of a new online fashion site www.Shopcaribbeanfashion.com was announced at this year’s prestigious Caribbean Fashionweek event last month.

 The launch allows international fashion lovers based in the UK & USA to purchase directly from the catwalk online via the website, supporting talented Caribbean designers in the process.

 

Sporting collections from an array of premier Caribbean designers including Meiling, lauded for her timeless pieces and intricate detail, and Mutamba renowned for merging the colourful beauty of Africa with chic evening and beach ware, Shopcaribbeanfashion.com represents a lifeline for women who want refreshingly original fashion.

 

The launch of the E-commerce store which Founder Kingsley Cooper described as “an organic evolution of Caribbean Fashionweek” allows Caribbean designers to monetise their creativity and export to the UK & USA creating a positive social and economic impact within the Caribbean diaspora in the process. International media including Italian Vogue, Daily Express and Essence Magazine were present to celebrate and support the opening.

 

Aside from the launch of www.Shopcaribbeanfashion.com Caribbean Fashionweek highlights included Reggae icon Maxi Priest entertaining the crowd with a 45-minute set, and Cedella Marley’s presentation of her ‘Marley Apparel’ collection. Bob’s eldest daughter Cedella Marley, designs Marley Apparel - a collection embodying Marley’s passion for life in the studio and on the soccer field. 

 

Caribbean Fashionweek also played host to the 2014 business forum, with forum Panelists including UK PR expert Jessica Huie from JH Public Relations, international brand specialist Kubi Springer from SheBuildsBrands.com, Peta-Gay Miller from Jamaica National Bank, Cultural Commentator Rozan Ahmed and the esteemed Professor Carolyn Cooper. The annual forum was geared toward helping fashion designers, and creative entrepreneurs to monetize their talent and create commercially viable businesses.

 

  

About Shop Caribbean Fashion:

A selection of the CFW designers are currently featured on the Shop Caribbean Fashion e commerce website, which is designed to introduce and export the crème of the region’s fashion design talent to an international audience. The CFW team partnered with Jessica Huie, Founder of London agency JH Public Relations (www.jhpr.co.uk) and international branding expert Kubi Springer (www.shebuildsbrands.com) for the launch. Shipping to the UK & USA more info is available at www.Shopcaribbeanfashion.com

 

 

About Caribbean Fashionweek:

Caribbean Fashionweek is produced by Pulse, a fashion and entertainment company which pioneered the development of the fashion and modelling industries in the Caribbean. The company is listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange and was the first of its kind to be publicly listed.  CFW began in 2001 and one of its essential features is to showcase the fashion design talent of the region to the rest of the world, and drive export opportunities for Caribbean designers.

 

The event has grown in status and attracts world-class entertainment and a plethora of internationally successful models, however the focus in 2014 has returned to creating a platform for designers to monetize their creative enterprise globally. The launch of ShopCaribbeanfashion.com will allow international fashion lovers to purchase directly from the Caribbean catwalk online or in person by attending the shows.

 

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Maxi Priest to Perform at Caribbean Fashionweek Closing Night

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

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ritish reggae icon Maxi Priest will perform live at CFW 2014, scheduled for June 11-16 in Kingston Jamaica. Maxi joins a long list of international celebrities and superstars who have appeared and performed at the event since its inception in 2001. Other CFW notables include Kelly Rowland, Eve, Nia Long, Brian McKnight, Morgan Heritage, Machel Montana, Joe, Sheila E and Johnny Gill.

Maxi will perform on Sunday, June 15 at the closing night of the shows.  Priest's first major album was the self-titled Maxi Priest (1988), which, along with his cover of Cat Stevens’ Wild World, established him as one of the top British reggae singers. He is one of only two British reggae acts (along with UB40) to have an American Billboard number one Close to You in 1990. A duet with Roberta Flack, Set The Night to Music, reached the American Top Ten in 1991.

CFW returns for its 14th staging this year with a new format, a slew of innovations, chief of which is the new online shopping experience, Shopcaribbeanfashion.com designed to introduce and export the crème of the region’s fashion design talent to an international audience. The CFW team has partnered with Jessica Huie, founder of London agency JH Public Relations (www.jhpr.co.uk) and international branding expert Kubi Springer (www.shebuildsbrands.com) to launch Shopcaribbeanfashion.com, introduce an on-site shopping at CFW, and develop the brand’s business forum, which takes place on the morning of June 14, prior to the evening’s fashion show.

CFW welcomes designers from all over the world. Regions as far a field as Africa and Australia have presented collections on the Caribbean’s premier fashion runway. A plethora of top stylists has also come from Europe and the Americas. The Caribbean’s finest, including Cedella Marley’s Catch a Fire, Meiling and Sandra Kennedy are among the 100 plus designers who have shown collections at CFW since 2001. Special guest designers have included the London-based and internationally regarded Jamaican, Jessica Ogden, British young designer of the year Kelly Jade Nichols, Nana Boateng and the Vogue acclaimed Gavin Douglas.

CFW is the largest, most far reaching and strategically important fashion event in the region. Pulse has developed an event of a high international standard to showcase the best of the Caribbean’s designers, as well as other world regarded stylists from various parts of the globe. Approximately 50 designers from 20 countries participate each year. The CFW Business Forum, Exhibition, superstar concert performances, supermodels, after parties, tours and workshops will all continue in 2014.

Since its inception in 2001, Caribbean Fashionweek has been the main catalyst for Caribbean fashion industry development. An ambitious project, CFW has brought the world of fashion to the region, as it seeks to focus international attention on what the Caribbean has to offer, while at the same time, working with stakeholders to build capacity and generate business for Caribbean stylists. The launch of Shopcaribbeanfashion.com is set to help transform the catwalk creativity into a platform for designers to commercialize their talents and reach international audiences through the E-commerce site.

Caribbean Fashion Week Founder Kingsley Cooper said;

“We are all extremely excited about the evolution of CFW. This year’s event will give designers an opportunity to sell their collections not just to the attendees at the venue, but to a global audience. It is a return to the true essence of what Caribbean Fashionweek is about – empowering designers to create commercial business opportunities from their talent and drive export opportunities.  We are delighted to have Jessica Huie and Kubi Springer invest their talent and dedication to the Shopcaribbeanfashion initiative. CFW 2014 signifies an imperative evolution of the brand.”

See www.caribbeanfashionweek.com and www.Shopcaribbeanfashion.com for further information

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Powerhouse Designers For Caribbean Fashionweek 2014

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

 

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014 will be a year of firsts for CFW, which is no easy accomplishment for an event in its 14th year of fashion innovation and excellence.

Designers showing, include Trinidad & Tobago’s Claudia Pegus and Meiling, the UK’s Alicia Mullings, Jamaica’s Juliette Dyke of Julan and New York fashion house Hope Wade Designs.

These particular designers will also be taking part in the new online shopping experience, Shopcaribbeanfashion.com designed to introduce and export the crème of the region’s fashion design talent to an international audience. The CFW team has partnered with Jessica Huie, founder of London agency JH Public Relations (www.jhpr.co.uk) and international branding expert Kubi Springer (www.shebuildsbrands.com) to launch Shopcaribbeanfashion.com, introduce on-site shopping at CFW, and develop the brand’s business forum, which takes place on the morning of June 14, prior to the evening’s fashion show.

Claudia Pegus has truly earned her place in Caribbean fashion history. For over three decades, she has been internationally known for her signature designs featuring handmade embroidery work on various types of silk and other luxury fabrics. Her creations are wider in content, context and appeal, but these luxury pieces are the core of her CPFS label. Claudia is the recipient of Trinidadian national honours, as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence and Remarkable Contributions to the Caribbean Fashion Industry. She is also a CFW Caribbean master designer awardee.

Today when one thinks of fashion in the Caribbean, one name cannot be escaped…Meiling. Meiling is a graduate of the Lucie Clayton School of Design in London, England, but continues to learn and be inspired by the world and by the melting pot that is her base, Trinidad. Best loved for her ability to weave passion, confidence, sensuality, wit and individuality into her clothes. Twice a year Meiling produces two dynamic and breathtaking retail collections, guaranteed to set the town talking and aspiring to the Meiling look.

London based Designer Alicia Mullings found her talent in fashion design and pursued her aspirations back in early 2010, after she was made redundant from her specialist/qualified role as a sound operator in television. When Alicia is designing she is inspired by everyday people, nature, and a desire to be influential in encouraging positive attitudes in what can feel like a “negative world.”

Juliette Andrea Dyke

Jamaican designer, Juliette Andrea Dyke gracefully blends her fascination with history and a broad spectrum of influences, from art to nature, into coherent and flowing designs. Julan pairs the 50s silhouette with her signature shantung silk, cotton and linen for a contemporary natural yet eye-grabbing look.

Just a peak into what Caribbean Fashionweek 2014 has to offer this June 11-16th, Kingston, Jamaica.

 

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