Pulse Models head to New York

Pulse stars Alicia Burke and Francine James head to New York at the end of the month to commence the next phase of their careers in the all-important American market.

These two models have achieved phenomenal success, despite only just entering the most lucrative and critical career space in global fashion. It is said that New York is where the stars are made. In this case, New York is where stars will shine brighter, as these young Jamaican are already stars, based on their exploits in Europe.

Francine is already a multiple-covergirl, having been chosen for covers such as L'Officiel, Suitcase, Companere, and John Lewis. The German and Spanish Vogue star's editorial features also include Elle and Marie Claire. The Camperdown High School alumni's other credits include Vlisco, LNDR and 1981.

Francine started her international career at the Paris shows last February. At the end of 2015, she was featured for the first time on models.com. The industry site picked up on her breakout success with German Vogue (published last December). As her editorial images pop up in various markets, the world is taking a closer look at this classic Jamaican beauty.

STELLAR YEAR

This year is also proving to be a stellar one for James. Looking back at her brief career, she has spent most of her time in Europe, other than brief stints in Hong Kong and South Africa, where she went to execute specific assignments. In Europe, she worked for clients in Paris, London, Milan, Stockholm and Amsterdam. These clients include ESPRIT, John Lewis, Ahlens, Vogue, Todd Lyn, Elle, Vanessa Steward, Marios Schwab, L'Officiel, Faith Connection, Companere, Marie Claire, and Olympia Letan.

Alicia Burke is now one of the hottest stars in the world, inking deals for exclusives with premium clients and celebrated photographers that are sure to see her career blossom further. The addition of the US market is timely for a star who has only been in the international market for the first half of this year. Both Burke and James are expected to hit the New York runways in September, thus heralding their US arrival to fashion industry players and fans alike.

Pulse's latest sensation, Burke is arguably the fastest-rising new star in global fashion this year. Her credits include Italian Vogue, shot by the great Steven Meisel; 12 pages of French Vogue (by herself), shot by David Simms; the cover and 18 pages of Harper's Bazaar the cover and 10 pages (by herself) of Double magazine; another 10 pages of Mixte magazine, shot just after her first couture shows in Paris.

After seven months in the international market, Alicia's record-breaking journey includes assignments for the likes of Style.com, Gucci, Prada, Me & Em, Versace, I-D, Benetton, Ralph Lauren, The Sunday Times, Marc Jacobs, Vivienne Westwood, 1883, Top Shop, Bottega Veneta, Theory with David Simms, Lesley Goring, Harvey Nichols, Tush, J. JS Lee and Azzedine AlaÔa.

Other clients include Emelio de la Morena, Bora Akeem, Sibling, Osman, Amanda, Schiaparelli, Self Service with Matteo Montanari, Elie Saab, Viktor & Rolf and The Last Magazine with Dan Martensen and Clare Richardson.

Burks' budding superstardom has not gone unnoticed. After her Gucci appearance in May, Vogue declared: "When a great model arrives, everyone takes notice". Said Models.com, in its maiden feature on the hot new star, Alicia "is the perfect canvas". Alicia is the current winner of Pulse's Caribbean Model Search Reality TV show. Francine won the search the previous year.