Who will be SAINT’s next Fashion Face breakout star?

With starry-eyed dreams of modelling careers in London, Milan and Paris, and thoughts of designer catwalk glides in the world’s fashion capitals lingering in their minds, fresh-faced entrants in this Saturday’s SAINT International Fashion Face of the Caribbean competition went through the paces at a training session last weekend.

Pausing from perfecting runway walks guided by SAINT’s Deiwght Peters inside the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts auditorium, Kemar Pitter has fingers crossed for a break into the global fashion industry.

“I see myself working in London because that city has a more open culture where clients are more likely to book a new model once they possess striking features, regardless of whether they have an extensive portfolio or not,” opined the angular-faced SAINT hopeful who maintains a day job as a marketing strategist.

Pitter, who entered the contest after scrolling on an Instagram ad post in April, is among SAINT’s 2025 class of 35 male and 45 female contestants.

HIGH SCHOOL

The lean and limber newbies, spanning high school adolescents to working twentysomethings, will be paraded to scouts from visiting North American and European modelling agencies who are chomping at the bit to launch Jamaica’s next top model to the international market.

“I always had an interest in modelling as it’s a way of self-expression and I see where unique qualities allow you to showcase yourself to the world and represent the best brands in the world,” 25-year-old Pitter remarked as his peers continued rehearsing the confident struts they intend to debut on competition night.

As to what he’s personally acquired throughout the process, Pitter reflected, “I can definitely attest that training with SAINT has been a definite benefit to me in terms of personal and professional development; it has instilled a sense of confidence. I have learnt that I need to learn how to own the room, you need to learn to make eye contact and speak with purpose, and walk with purpose and [have] proper handshake etiquette. All these things have helped to mould me into a better person.”

Meanwhile, Immaculate Conception High School fourth-former Soraya Scott credited her fashion designer parent, Angela Wilkinson, as the nudge for her presence in the high-stakes Fashion Face contest.

“My mom saw the ad on social media and told me to take a chance with it,” revealed Scott, who is a competitive swimmer and represented Team Jamaica at the PanAm Aquatics Championships back in May in Medellín, Colombia.

The soft-spoken beauty, who has ambitions “to be an aerospace engineer or do something in the arts like film or directing”, said participating in SAINT’s weekend training sessions has positively impacted her.

“It’s been very informative, and I developed my runway walking abilities even though there is still room for improvement. The atmosphere here is really nice, and I’m comfortable knowing that everybody here is learning and nobody is judging you for how you walk,” she told Living.

FAMILIAL ENCOURAGEMENT

Similar to Scott’s story, Presley Hart’s entry into the annual fashion contest, which began 25 years ago, came from familial encouragement by way of his aunt.

“I wasn’t previously interested in modelling but a lot of my peers, friends and family members said I could excel in the field, so I was sent to Deiwght,” shared Presley, who attends Hillel Academy and is the son of well-known disc jockey Orrett ‘Bambino’ Hart.

Assessing his experiential journey, the 18-year-old said: “So far, the learning curve hasn’t been too demanding. I think I have been adjusting accordingly. Looking online for inspiration from other models has been useful for me in identifying what I can correct about my mannerisms and my walk. Everything involved in the process has also been useful.”

Brimming with optimism about the prospects among the batch of 80 aspirants, SAINT boss Peters said as his modelling agency celebrates its silver anniversary this year, “I feel immense gratitude that despite the challenges, including various groups who wanted to see me fail, there were many more good people who wanted me to succeed. To see many of them now by the wayside, it’s a testament that working hard and having a good heart will always win.”

Ahead of Saturday night’s fashion spectacular at the AC Hotel – which will also see the Avant Garde Designer of the Year contest taking place, with 25 designer entrants – Peters looks forward to a homecoming of several successful models from his agency’s stable.

“Seeing so many of SAINT’s stars flying in for the kick-off celebration event is definitely a major highlight. Our top models, Tami Williams, Kai Newman, Naki Depass and Wayne Booth defy the odds and still have strong international careers after more than 10 years in the business. It feels very special as these models are showing up to express gratitude in a major way. The male stars, led by global TikTok sensation Lawrence, will be bringing their runway magic to the celebrations as well. Our Fashion Face winner from 2002, Marlando Vassell, jetted in from London with his son, who is also a child model, to lend his support. This is just exciting.”

The model impresario revealed that in addition to the scores of Jamaican contestants, a number of Guyanese entrants he scouted arrived on the island to compete in tomorrow’s show.

lifestyle@gleanerjm.com