Issue#3
Nov. 2nd 2001
a day in the mind of a jamaican fashion princess
...by kasena.
The sounds of the Caribbean are beating rhythmically in your ears. The
images are dancing in your mind, the warmth flowing through your soul and
touching your skin. The taste whets your appetite, and then the coup
d'etat, the fashion enticing your imagination. How can you not help but
surrender to your instinctive senses?
Caribbean Fashion Week (CFW) was officially launched here in New York in October. With the recent tragic events in the city it was a welcome change to the muted fashion scene. The press launch took place at the lower eastside upscale Caribbean-French fusion restaurant Bambou. The evening was buzzing with models, media personalities, press and the fashion plates of the city. A virtual bevy of beauties and delightful eye candy for the untrained fashion eye.
CFW is slated to get underway November 7-11, 2001 in Kingston, Jamaica and it's been a long time coming. Throughout the world's major fashion cities, London, Paris, New York and Milan, fashion seasons are launched with their major design collections of spectacular fashion shows. Even though the Caribbean has a host of designers, there has yet to have been a formal gathering such as CFW. Caribbean fashion has distinctly influenced some of the western fashions of today, and the presence of Caribbean designers is evident at many fashion houses. A handful of designers employ elements of Caribbean/African style with namely collections by Ralph Lauren and John Galliano utilizing components of batik printing, jute, raffia, to Masai regalia, with definite touches of resort-inspired collections like sarongs, head scarves etc. With fashion as a global perception, not just for western eyes it needs to represent the diversity of each of our style backgrounds. The recognition of this Caribbean elegance is accentuated in the works of many Caribbean designers. Guyanese designer Roger Gary for example, whose sexy designs glorify feminine sophistication, and Jamaica's own Cedella Marley's 'Catch a Fire' line, whose collection is sprinkled with a touch of that Kingston urban panache and an endearing gratitude to her lyrical rebellious father. The collections of these designers emphasize and revitalize the Caribbean lifestyle and flair.
As the hor d'heuvres were served and the Red Stripe flowed freely, well wishes were made by the representatives of Pulse Entertainment, Air Jamaica, and the Consul General on Jamaica. The event, being produced by Pulse Entertainment Group and sponsored by JAMPRO, Air Jamaica, and European Trade Development Project, has set the stage to pioneer Caribbean fashion to the forefront of chic.
As a purveyor of style and lover of all beautiful things I am extremely excited to attend CFW in Jamaica to see the embodiment of what the Caribbean has to offer. The event will be comprised of Caribbean designers based within the Caribbean, Europe, and North America. I'm sure CFW will spawn interest within the Caribbean region and abroad by taking it to the international marketplace. It is our duty to articulate our impressive artistic grace to the rest of the world.
NEW JAMAICAN Vol.1
