Styleweek moves to June 4-6

Styleweek Jamaica, which was scheduled for this coming weekend, has been pushed back by a week.

Deiwght Peters, head of Saint International which organises the fashion showcase, said the uncertainty of the country's stability due to the extradition request for Christopher 'Dudus' Coke forced his hand.

In a correspondence to The Sunday Gleaner, Peters said: "At this time, we believe that this year's event has the potential to make a powerful and positive statement to the world. A number of international media have agreed to visit Jamaica (many for the first time) to provide coverage for the event. So, after much consultations and observations of the prevailing political climate, we think it's prudent to change the date for this year's staging of Styleweek Jamaica to June 4-6, 2010."

Over the last four years, Styleweek Jamaica has evolved into one of the Caribbean's premier fashion events. Annually, the event is patronised by a conglomerate of fashionistas from across the region for the three signature events - The International Men's Collection, The International Mecca of Style and Fashionblock - the Caribbean's longest runway.

devon house

The event kicks off on Friday, June 4, at the Devon House Lawns with The International Men's Collection. The International Mecca of Style takes place on June 5 at Fort Charles, Port Royal. The event culminates on Sunday, June 6, with Fashionblock on Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston.

Over the years, the organisers have created an international point of reference for the Jamaican designers by inviting world-class stylists to showcase at Styleweek Jamaica. The designers have included Saville Row, B. Michael (New York), Julia Clancey (London/LA), Ed Hardy, Indashio, among others.

Peters added: "This year the world's top black model Sessilee Lopez (number 13 on Models.com and Italian Vogue cover model) has confirmed attendance at the event."

This year, Styleweek Jamaica will launch its fashion summit. This will focus on issues such as establishing and managing the global fashion brand, understanding international trends, sustainable design development, among others. Many of the international designers coming for Styleweek will be participating. Peters said 30 Jamaican designers are registered to participate this year.

- Garfene Grandison