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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Third World, Maxi Priest, Brigadeer Jerry for Connecticut's Star Wave Organic Music Festival

Thursday, June 12, 2014

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ard and Broad International Pairs Healthy Living with Reggae Woodbury, CT. - June 17, 2014 - The first annual "Star Wave Organic Music Festival" happens on August 23, 2014 at Ski Tubing Park in Woodbury, Connecticut. Among those slated to perform are International Reggae Band, Third World, Maxi Priest, Stick Figure, Junie Ranks, Brigadeer Jerry, Tasha T and Empress Ayeola. The theme, "Let Your Food be Your Medicine" will be further advanced through on site vendors with organic wares, food and drinks. Gates to the venue will open at 11:00 a.m. and the show begins at 3:00 pm.

Yard and Broad International is a United States based concert promotions company. According to its Principal, Dennis Reid, "utilizing a traditionally organic music as Reggae to promote well being and natural eating just seems right". After twenty-three years as a promoter of Reggae music, The Star Wave Organic Music Festival raises the bar for the veteran entertainment businessman. For the first time. Reid has found a way to team both his passions (healthy living and music). The Yard and Broad outfit has successfully staged concerts in New York City, Upstate New York and in Jamaica. 

Sponsors of the event include, Bertie's Restaurant, a staple of the Waterbury business community for over twenty years; Ticket Fly, Events R Us Online, Relax Resort, KuttingEdge Media and Publicity, WEBE Radio, Gaddamaweh Productions, Uhuru Boys Studios and NICKII DESIGNS. Ski Tubing Park has been a concert site for more than forty years.

 

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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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Copyright 2014 Caribbean E-Magazine All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without credit..
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Historic Reggae Concert at Barclays Center – Stellar performances by Beres Hammond ,Shaggy and Maxi Priest

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

The newly minted Barclays Center in downtown Brooklyn was the venue for the recently concluded 'BioLife Sounds of Reggae Concert' on 12.12.12 with headliners Beres Hammond, Ali Campbell, Shaggy and Maxi Priest and what a smasher it was! Jay-Z and the incomparable Barbara Streisand are just a few of the marquee stars who have played sold out dates at the new facility that is now home for the NBA's Brooklyn Nets.

Maxi, who got the concert started threw down a glittering performance for over 10,000 screaming fans in a glam-filled coming-out reggae party. His energy ricocheted throughout the jam-packed venue as the legendary reggae crooner belted out classic hits like "How It Feel To Be Loved," "Just A Bit Longer" "Wide Wide World," "I Believe In Love" and "She Gives Me Love." Maxi was later joined by NJ based dj Beniton who lite up the stage, partnering with him on crossover hits 'House Call" and "Jamaica Nice."



Red Fox and Shaggy

 It was a homecoming party of sorts for international reggae star Shaggy, who at one time called Brooklyn home. Performing with his long time friends from the area Rayvon and Red Fox, the former US Marine demanded the entire arena get on their feet during his energetic set and fans obediently obliged, danced up a storm for the duration of his performance. Shaggy's set was spiced with all his big hits and more including 'Mr. Boombastic,' 'It Wasn't Me,' 'Big Up,' 'Angel,' 'Church Heathen' and the ballad Strength of A Woman that he dedicated to Jamaica's Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller who celebrated her birthday last Wednesday.

Reggae singer Beres Hammond, who made a scheduled stop at NBC’s Late Night show with Jimmy Fallon and the Roots band prior to his performance, had the women in the palm of his hands from the moment he crooned his first note. The Grammy-nominated reggae hit maker could do no wrong as he reeled of hit songs from his catalogue including 'Step Aside,' 'Putting Up Resistance,' 'Come Back Home,' 'Give Thanks,' 'Doctors Orders' and 'Rockaway.' 90 minutes later when the sweat drench singer made his way off stage, the consensus was he was the "Boss" for the night.

 

Having Ali Campbell close a reggae concert in downtown Brooklyn could be a dismal disaster. Campbell however being the consummate performer pushed those concerns aside. While he did not enjoy the same crowd support that Beres or Shaggy enjoyed, he certainly made a good first impression and connected with fans as he belted out 'Would I Lie To You,' 'Running Free' and the curtain closer 'Red Red Wine.'

 

Earlier, Ann-Marie Grant, Executive Director of the American Friends of the University of the West Indies (AFUWI) organisation accepted a US$10,000 donation from title sponsor BioLife for the University of the West Indies Scholarship fund. Also present at the concert was the Hon. Herman LaMont, Consul General of Jamaica, New York who endorsed the event. Promoter George Crooks and his hardworking team at Jammins Entertainment must be congratulated for producing one of the biggest reggae concert for 2012 inside the tri-state area.

 

As the reggae thirsty crowd slowly filed out of the arena at 12:05am in the morning, their pleasure for the concert's solid lineup and superb coordination was palpable.

 

 

 

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Lauryn Hill arrived in Jamaica for Shaggy and Friends Charity Concert

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Former member of the Fugees singer  Lauryn Hill  is now in Jamaica gearing up for her upcoming performance for the Shaggy and Friends Charity Concert set for January 7.

The singer who is no stranger to Jamaica arrived on Monday night with her kids, and will be performing with other local and international acts, such as Ne-Yo ,rapper Eve, Deniece Williams on the lawns of Jamaica House.

Other performers include the man himself "Shaggy", Maxi Priest, Romain Virgo, Coco Tea, Half Pint, Tami Chynn, Wayne Marshall, Chino and Assassin.

Shaggy and Friends Charity Concert will raise funds for the Bustamante Hospital for Children and Chain of Hope Foundation.

Persons wishing to donate to The Shaggy Make A Difference Foundation can now do so via text message, thanks to telecommunications firms Digicel and LIME. By sending a text message to Digicel 488-4175, anyone can donate $20 to the charity and for LIME text the number 444-4248 for a donation of $50 per sms. Both will benefit the Bustamante Hospital for Children

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