Mission Catwalk Season three to Premieres this Saturday

Friday, April 12, 2013

Season three of Mission Catwalk has attracted some of the best emerging talent the Caribbean region has to offer. The show has expanded to include designers from St. Lucia, St, Vincent, Antigua, Haiti and Bahamas, who will now join the likes of Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana in TV’s hottest design challenge. This year’s rivalry will redefine the term ‘fierce’. The audience is in for an entertaining season as these designers stitch their way to victory

JUDGES (Fron left) Courtney Washington, Carlton Brown, Novia McDonald Whyte

Kay Davitian, a no-nonsense quality control expert, will whip the designers into shape as she takes on the task of mentoring the full group of designers this season. Kay Davitian has worked around the world for top design houses and has spent many of her years in the fashion industry working in factories for world-renowned designer Ralph Lauren and Jones New York in charge of their quality control division. Kay’s knowledge and skill set will change the dynamic of the garment construction process in the sewing room, increasing anxieties and stress level of the designers for a volcanic surge of skilled creativity, as we take the designs straight from the runway to retail stores.  

FROM RUNWAY TO RETAIL

Models in final line up for judging of designs

Viewers will finally have a chance to get their favourite designs fresh off the catwalk. The winning designs for each episode will be reproduced and made available the next day at all Lee’s Fifth Avenue locations. One lucky designer will also receive a one-year contract with Global Purchasing Company, a full service buying office in New York. Global Purchasing Company represents over eighty boutiques across the United States and will represent our Caribbean designers in this market.

Season three kicks off on SATURDAY, APRIL 13 AT 8:30PM ON TVJ and will repeat on Tuesdays at 5:30PM.

ABOUT MISSION CATWALK

Mission Catwalk is an exciting reality TV series aimed at discovering and developing talented fashion designers. The show features designers in fierce competition for top prizes that will help to launch their fashion career. Mission Catwalk tests and nurtures the talents of the contestants through numerous challenges and exercises geared at identifying and honing a range of creative skills and abilities. The series is set in Kingston, Jamaica and each hour-long episode comprises of four segments: the challenge, the design production, the runway show, and the elimination of a designer. The series lasts eleven weeks and culminates with three designers at a live showdown in Kingston. One designer will win the ultimate prize– to show their collection at London Fashion Week among other prizes.

The winner will receive the following prizes:

·       An opportunity to show a collection at the London Fashion Week.

·       JMD$500K funding to start their clothing line.

·       Industrial sewing equipment valued at JMD$200K.

·       A contract to sell their designs at Lee’s Fifth Avenue.

·       A fashion editorial in 6 Carlos Magazine.

·       A scholarship to pursue fashion program at London College of Fashion.

Mission Catwalk will air on local TV networks in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Guyana, Grenada, Haiti, Antigua, St Lucia, St Vincent, Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda and other Caribbean islands via CaribVision.

CAST

Host / Exec Producer:   Keneea Linton-George  - Fashion Designer/TV Producer

Judges:                          Novia McDonald-Whyte – Senior Associate Editor, Jamaica Observer

                                      Carlton Brown – Menswear Designer

Mentor:                          Kay Davitian – Quality Control Expert

Guest Judges:

Shaggy (Entertainer)

Anthony Miller (TV Personality)

Yendi Phillipps (TV personality)

Marlon Samuels (Cricketer)

Courtney Washington (Designer)

Babatu Sparrow (Magazine Editor)

Manuela Goren (Journalist)

Colin Hylton (Chef)

Mercedes Gonzales (International Fashion Buyer).

Contestants:               

Alexis Campbell-Barbados,

Anicia Brooks-Trinidad

Argent Roberts-Antigua

David Rolle-Bahamas

Elizabeth Jerimie-Trinidad

Katherine McDermott-Jamaica

Makisa Lewis-Trinidad

Marque Miller-Jamaica

Mwanza Glen-Guyana

Renardo Lloyd-Jamaica

Sharleen J Lagon-St Lucia

Sharon Shaw-Jamaica

Shernicia Mayer-St Vincent

Theodore Elyett-Bahamas

Watson St Louis-Haiti  

 

Core Team:

Michael Cushnie  Director/Editor

Gareth M Daley Director of Photography

Keneea Linton-George Executive Producer

Carolyn Bolt  Senior Producer

                                                  

Copyright 2013 Caribbean E-Magazine All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without credit..

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Mission Catwalk Season 2 Winner Gregory Williams heads to London College of Fashion

Tuesday, September 4, 2012



 Gregory Williams (2^nd from left) Gregory Williams poses with NCB New Kingston Branch

 Business BankerJanice Ellis-Matthews, Branch Manager Marva Peynado and

Mission Catwalk host and executive producer Keneea Linton-George

Like the athletes who represented  ‘the Rock’ with stellar performances at the 2012 Olympics in London, Mission Catwalk Season 2 winner Gregory Williams is ready to make his mark on the European city when he arrives for his studies at the London College of Fashion and master tailor Andrew Ramroop’s Sevile Row Academy next month.

 

“It’s not that I didn’t know before, but their accomplishments really convinced me that the sky is the limit,” says the 28-year-old Cross Roads native. “I just want to go there and give it my all. Jamaica need fi deya pon di fashion map.”

 

Part of $3m in prizes offered throughout the season, Gregory’s winnings also includes $200,000 worth of sewing equipment from Singer, which he has already received.   He’s also opened a business account at NCB with a $500,000.00 cash contribution from the bank that will fund his HOD Designs fashion line.  Come Fashion’s Night Out (Thursday September 6) fans will get a preview of his designs at SOHO Boutique.  The items will be available for sale in December. Also in September, his Mission Catwalk model Sydia Valentine will shoot a fashion spread for OCEAN Style’s December issue. She will walk at Gregory’s London Fashion Week (LFW) presentation in February 2013.  The winning prize previously included the chance to show at LFW September 2012.

 

The show’s host and executive producer Keneea Linton-George explains the change, “When we thought about it, it just made sense. Gregory’s focus should be on school and mastering the skills necessary to become a top-class designer.  At the end of our last season, he had to create a collection for Caribbean Fashion Week (CFW) and viewers saw upfront how challenging that was. We want to spare him the pressure and have him focus on his studies which will also take him to Paris.”

 

Apart from his College of Fashion classes, Gregory will apprentice with Trinidad-born bespoke Tailor Andrew Ramroop who has dressed prominent men including members of the Royal Family, parliamentarians and entertainers such as Jay-Z and Will Smith.

 

Gregory, a former Saint International model, was considered one of the most outspoken contestants on the 13-episode show, which featured participants from around the region. Voted fan favorite by Jamaican viewers he snagged the title with his cohesive collection of sexy and edgy pieces, which he presented at CFW along with three other finalists on June 8. He was announced as winner of the show on June 19.

 

Since then Gregory has been busy designing for his regular clients, attending fashionable events and contributing to the wardrobe of Miss Jamaica World 2012 Deanna Robins.  He also created a look for the Jamaica 50 fashion show at the Jubilee Village in the National Stadium. 

 

Fans will get an update of Gregory's achievements as well as his LFW 2013 presentation on Season 3 of Mission Catwalk. Casting for the show begins in December. For more information visit facebook.com/missioncatwalktv

 

 

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Jamaican Gregory Williams is the Mission Catwalk Season 2 winner

Thursday, June 21, 2012

GREGORY-WILLIAMS-MCW-Season-2-Winner-

Twenty eight year-old Cross Roads Jamaica resident Gregory Williams is the Mission Catwalk Season 2 winner and will be heading to London Fashion Week later this year as part of his wining package valued at $3 million dollars.


The designer, who won one prior challenge on the show, had a tearful reaction to the announcement made on Tuesday’s finale episode.




“When I heard my name, I couldn’t help it. This was a competition and I had worked hard so it was just a relief to get to the end.”

Gregory Williams CFW 2012 Collections

He was judged on 12 looks he presented at Caribbean Fashion Week (CFW) 2012 on June 8. Though he has a penchant for high fashion, Gregory made a strong effort to present ready-to-wear pieces.

For Novia McDonald-Whyte Jamaica Observer lifestyle editor, “Gregory got the nod at the end of the day because he is truly a designer! One who’s not only capable of thinking outside the proverbial box, but one who makes a woman crave his designs.” aptly summing up the views of fellow judges Keneea Linton-George host and executive-producer of the series and menswear designer Carlton Brown.

Guest judge Kay Davitian, a former head of quality control at Jones NY and Ralph Lauren gave Gregory some sage advice.”You are a true designer and you will go far if you put your head to learning the trade.”

His learning has already begun with advice on running a small business from NCB who will contribute JMD$500,000 to his HOD Designs clothing line. Gregory will also receive industrial sewing equipment valued at JMD$200,000 courtesy of Singer Jamaica, a contract to sell his designs at SOHO boutique, a six-page fashion editorial in Ocean Style Magazine, a scholarship to pursue fashion program at London College of Fashion, an apprenticeship with Master Savile Row Tailor Andrew Ramroop and the chance to show a new collection at London Fashion Week in September accompanied by his Mission Catwalk model Sydia Valentine.

Fellow Jamaican Crystal Powell came a close 2nd, but a lack of cohesiveness in her collection of beautiful pieces cost her the win.  

“Her passion is evident and her precision will put her in good stead in what is undoubtedly a fickle fashion market,” predicts McDonald-Whyte.  

In third place was Rebecca Stirm of Belize, a strong contender throughout the show, whose final designs were not “aspirational” according to Linton-George. Rounding up the top four was Trinidad’s Ryan Chan who did have an impactful collection but lost points for “slapping on” ready-made beading.

This is the first time that casting for the show was open to designers from around the region. Mission Catwalk’s first season, won by Shena Carby, consisted of Jamaican designers only. Linton-George says requests are coming in from every island regarding season three. Interested designers and models can visit facebook.com/missioncatwalk for information and can catch up on all season 2 episodes at youtube.com/missioncatwalk.

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Rebecca Strim from Belize returns as a "Wild Card" on Mission Catwalk

Monday, June 11, 2012

After a shocking elimination on Mission Catwalk episode 11 where contestants were required to design a mini collection for a fashionista headed to the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Belize’s own Rebecca Strim returns to the Caribbean fashion reality series as the ‘wild card’

This second shot at the win is “very exciting and humbling” says the 19 year-old Belmopan resident who won four of the show’s 11 challenges and placed safe in three episodes.

“We wanted to see another collection so we had past contestants Kerin Scott (Ne Sera), Janel Jolly (Jae Jolly) and Rebecca show at CFW 2012 and ultimately we chose Rebecca as the wild card,” says Mission Catwalk host and executive producer Keneea Linton-George who along with regular panelists Novia McDonald-Whyte associate editor lifestyle and social content at the Jamaica Observer and menswear designer Carlton Brown have judged the season two presentations.

On Friday June 8, 12 looks from the Rebecca Stirm Collection were shown at Caribbean Fashion Week (CFW); the region’s premiere fashion event. Caribbean Model Search winner (2002) Jaunel McKenzie who has been featured in Vogue, Elle and Essence Magazines walked the CFW catwalk in Rebecca’s designs, as did Nell Robinson who has worked for brands such as Victoria’s Secret and Agent Provocateur. Miss Universe Jamaica 2012 contestant Caribbean Model Search winner (2008) Crystal Patterson also wore Rebecca’s pieces on the catwalk.

Her CFW debut was made possible due in part to local sponsors Belize Bank and Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL).

For Rebecca, her experience in Jamaica means that the hard work is paying off.

“From the creation to the collection to fitting the models to seeing the looks out on the runway and getting to walk with my finale piece was a very, very rewarding experience.”

The winner of Mission Catwalk season two will receive JMD$500,000 courtesy of National Commercial Bank of Jamaica (NCB) towards their clothing line, industrial sewing equipment valued at JMD$200,000 courtesy of singer Jamaica, a contract to sell the designs at SOHO boutique, a six-page fashion editorial in Ocean Style Magazine, a scholarship to pursue fashion program at London College of Fashion, an apprenticeship with Master Savile Row Tailor Andrew Ramroop and the opportunity to show at London Fashion Week in September.

The other designers contending for those prizes are Ryan Chan (Ryan Chan Designs) of Trinidad and Tobago, Gregory Williams (HOD by Gregory Williams)  and Crystal Powell (Crystal Christina) both of Jamaica

Tune in on Tuesday June 12 to see Rebecca’s CFW presentation as well as that of the other contenders.   Mission Catwalk airs at 8:30 PM on Television Jamaica and streams live at www.televisionjamaica.com/livetv.aspx. The series can also be viewed on local stations in Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. Check local listings for schedule information.

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Trinidadian designer Ryan Chan to make his debut at CFW and London Fashion week.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Ryan winning design

After a taste of victory with his first win last week, Ryan Chan of Trinidad has won yet another challenge on Caribbean fashion reality series Mission Catwalk; a win which qualifies him for some enviable prizes including the chance to show at London Fashion week. His scores also put him in the top three ranking which means he will be showing at Caribbean Fashion Week this Friday!

The task for the series’ final challenge was to create a mini collection for SOHO boutique dubbed “London 2012” for a fashionista travelling to London for the Olympics.

“I first thought about who I would design for; and who better than an athlete’s wife/girlfriend? I created three looks with three events in mind: grand opening-something elegant, day look- she has to go shopping, and of course something she would wear at the Olympic game -an edgy, patriotic and fun outfit. I tried to keep the collection fresh and sophisticated to appeal to the SOHO customer since the winning designs would be reproduced for that boutique.”

Being a patriotic Trinbagonian Ryan stuck to a red, white and black colour palette representative of the colours of the national flag.

Designer Ryan Chan

He was complemented on his draping skills by episode 11 special guest Kay Davitian- a former head designer at Jones New York and Ralph Lauren who also gave one-on-one advice to the other four designers.

Ryan’s winning pieces will be reproduced and available at SOHO Boutique on Saturday June 9. The designer will be in store from 2pm to meet fans. Guest judge and proprietor of SOHO Boutique Michelle Coulton was duly impressed with his work, as were regular judges Keneea Linton-George, host and executive producer of Mission Catwalk; Novia McDonald-Whyte,associate editor lifestyle and social content at the Jamaica Observer and menswear designer Carlton Brown

In what may seem a shocking turn of events, Belize’s Rebecca Stirm’s domination of the show has ended with her exit on this episode.  The 19 year old, who has never been in the bottom, had won four challenges since the show’s start. Barbadian Kerin Scott was also voted off. This means that the top three designers are Jamaicans Crystal Powell and Gregory Williams along with Chan.  They each received an iPad as well as SME kits and business tips from NCB.  The top three will show their collections at the National Indoor Sports Centre on Friday June 8 at 7:00 P.M.

Tune in to Television Jamaica next week Tuesday at 8:30 P.M. for the reunion show where all 15 designers will make an appearance.  On June 19^th guest judge Meiling Esau of Trinidad will join the other judges in announcing the winner of Mission Catwalk season 2, presented by NCB, Supreme Ventures and Digicel. Mission Catwalk can also be viewed on local stations in Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. Viewers around the globe and watch the online stream at www.televisionjamaica.com/livetv.aspx

Photo credit:Tiffany Lue Yen

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