Organisers promise exciting 2016 ‘Touch of France’

It takes commitment and support to undertake any venture. And in the coming days, the 10th staging of 'A Touch of France' will reflect this.

From the 'tsunami support' of Ambassador of France to Jamaica Jean-Michel Despax to the continued support from companies like Saint, along with some new ones, the 2016 staging of the mixed cultural event promises to be an exciting one. All this and more were revealed in a "coconut shell" by Pierre Lemaire at a recent press conference, held at the Hilcrest Avenue-based Embassy of France.

A Touch of France, is scheduled to take place over three days, starting yesterday (November 23) through to the 25th, at a new venue, the Spanish Court Hotel's Valencia Suite. The activities will include round-table talk, signing of a MoU, a fashion show, a concert in French featuring performances from tertiary and high-school students, as well as surprise musical items, prizes and surprises.

The traditional fashion show by Saint international, with a designer from Guadeloupe, and Jamaican designers, will be the curtain closer. Among the designers whose works will be on show are Jamaicans Dexter Huxtable, Karl Brown, and Heather Laine. They will be joined by Guadeloupe's Eliette Lesuperbe.

Thrilled

Dewigth Peters, founder of Saint International, founded in 2000, the same year as A Touch of France, has been on the board ever since. He was particularly thrilled to be involved once again and described their relationship as an extraordinary one. He cited his company as a major exporter to France as sometimes his company has more than 15 models working for major fashion houses in the country.

Howard Henry, representing Total, said that his company's relationship with A Touch of France began before the brand came to Jamaica. Along with his company sponsoring presentations from the Jamaica Road Safety Unit, JET, he also informed the gathering that 50 Total stations wouldl be fitted with solar panels, and in partnering with the University of the West Indies (Mona), had sent two students to France.

Derek Wilks of RJR Communications Group said his role is to promote A Touch of France. This will be done through TVJ's Smile Jamaica and other programmes.