Caribbean Fashionweek 2019 set for June 13 to 16

The Pulse-presented Caribbean Fashionweek 2019 is set to take place in Kingston from June 13 to 16.

This year’s event will feature the very best of African and Caribbean fashion. Coming on the heels of Pulse’s recent launch of its global initiative, which includes events, TV programming, model searches and other activities in Africa, Europe and North America, Caribbean Fashionweek will be the first event to incorporate Pulse’s partners from Africa.

Based in Lagos, Nigeria, Fashion One, the Pan African TV and multimedia platform is collaborating with Pulse and Zenith, Nigeria’s largest bank, to bring a contingent of designers from Africa, as well as TV production and media. In November, Africa will return the favour, taking a select group of Caribbean Fashionweek designers to Lagos for another African-Caribbean fashion collaboration, at the annual Style by Zenith event. The Nigerian High Commission in Jamaica is also supporting CFW’s African initiative.

Caribbean designs will include resort wear as CFW’s nod to the region’s large tourist market from which the region is poised to reap significant benefit in this industry. The Caribbean is considered by the international fashion community as a natural location for resort fashion, a fact highlighted by Italian Vogue in its commentary on CFW. However, a range of designer collections will be shown at CFW 2019, including couture for which Africa has been building a reputation.

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

CFW will feature receptions at Pulse Rooms at Trafalgar as Pulse uses the opportunity to launch its 40th anniversary celebrations which commence in January 2020 and continue throughout the year. A welcome reception will be hosted by the Nigerian High Commission, with show nights on June 15 and 16. A business brunch, a press conference and a range of other fashion, business and entertainment activities will also be highlighted over the period.

Confirmed designers include Claudia Pegus, Robert Young (The Cloth) and Hope Wade from the Caribbean, as well as Agatha Moreno, Mai Taifo, Ilare and Lanre da Silva from Nigeria and South Africa. A number of additional designers will be announced over the coming days. A smaller, much more select group of the very best designers from Africa and the Caribbean will show in 2019.

The growing group of Pulse’s new runway stars will lead the line-up of models who will present the collections this year. Such stars as Alicia Burke, Jeneil Williams, Miqueal Symone Williams, Oraine Barrett, Zoe Griffith, Shalisha Stewart, Kamaria Powell and Daniella Davis are expected to hit the 2019 catwalk at CFW.

Caribbean Fashionweek has a rich history of superstar designers, models, entertainers and celebrities who have participated in the event over the years. These include Cedella Marley, Meiling, Sandra Kennedy, Deola Sagoe, Nana Boateng, Catalin Botezatu, actress Nia Long, as well as entertainers Kelly Rowland, Brian McKnight and Eve, among several others.