… Launch brings out the glamorous

Tuesday night saw the launch of Caribbean Fashionweek (CFW) at Studio 38. Although it was only the launch of the event, the majority of those in attendance seemed to have put extra effort into dressing fashionably elegant.

Kingsley Cooper of Pulse, organiser of CFW, addressed the gathering, thanking sponsors and giving an overview of the 2011 schedule of events.

This year, CFW boasts full concerts from top local and international acts who are set to take the runway during the three themed nights - Jamaica Night, Caribbean Night and International Night.

Kingsley Cooper pointed The Gleaner to history as the reason for the line-ups he chose for the themed nights.

"Back in the day, we used to have a concert called Superjam. It used to be a big end-of-year show and the concept behind Superjam was the best of the year. It had a lot of artistes but three tops acts as headliners each year. This show is similar in the sense that we decide to theme the nights and put together a set of acts which represent the best."

He said, for Jamaica night, the choice of Mavado and Tanya Stephens speaks for itself, and the same for Machel Montano and David Rudder on Caribbean night. He noted that although the two (Montano and Rudder) are from slightly different demographics, together they control the soca genre. International night will feature Joe and Beenie Man, and Cooper said Jamaicans love Joe's ballads and love songs and he has a huge following and Beenie Man "because he's Beenie Man".

Awesome entertainment

In three words, he described this year's entertainment package, "Awesome, awesome, awesome."

It was difficult for him to say which night he believed would generate the most support. He noted that many persons seem to be gravitating to Caribbean Night because of Montano and Rudder, but also said Jamaica Night was getting major support as well. As for International Night, Cooper, expects Joe and Beenie Man to have quite an impact.

"It all comes down to your preference to musical genres. It's just another dimension, we're adding something else. CFW has always been successful based on the quality of designers and the lines shown here. We're adding a new dimension and we're going full force now because these are full concerts," he said.

CFW will host Jamaican Night, Caribbean Night and International Night on June 10, 11 and 12, respectively.

Designers such as Meiling, Mikaya Laijah, Everblazing, Lisa Walton, Kokobeenz, Minka and Michel Chataigne are among those who will show their work at this year's CFW.

- Hasani Walters