Image: Model Jeneil Williams with Karl Lagerfeld
Proving that the Olympics isn’t the only event that allows Caribbeans to shine, Caribbean Export, the regions Trade and Development agency, with funding under the EU’s 10th EDF, will be partnering with the Caribbean Fashion Industry Association as well as JAMPRO, to debut the Caribbean Collection at London Fashion Week on the 17th & 18th of February 2012 –an event that will culminate in a private dinner with international music and fashion icon, Grace Jones.
Among the 13 Caribbean designers handpicked to showcase their designs at the event are Juliette Dyke of Jamaica and Phelicia Dell of Haiti, whose range of handbags were chosen by Diane Von Furstenberg to sell in her chain of stores across the globe marking International Women’s Day.
The Chairman of the Caribbean Fashion Industry Association, Kingsley Cooper had this to say: “This exhibition is really about showing the fashion industry that we have design talent to compete in a global arena. The contribution which the islands can make to fashion has gone under the world’s fashion radar for too long. We are delighted to be a part of London Fashion Week and as organizers of Caribbean Fashion week, we see this as a big step for Caribbean fashion, as we continue to develop our industry and position our designers to take their place on the world stage – our time is now.”
The Caribbean Collections exhibition is endorsed by some of the world’s most beautiful women of Caribbean descent including Jeneil Williams who has fronted campaigns for Vivienne Westwood and Louis Vuitton, former Victoria’s Secret model Nell Robinson and Jamaican supermodel and American Vogue favourite, Jaunel McKenzie.
