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CFW brings the business of fashion

Published:Sunday | June 12, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Designer Lisa Walton soaks up well-deserved applause. The designer showed her pieces at Pulse International's Caribbean Fashionweek's first night of showing at the National Indoor Sports Centre last Friday night.- Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Caribbean Fashionweek (CFW) is the Caribbean's most fêted fashion week. CFW always features the Caribbean's best - Meiling, Barry Moncrieffe, the Cloth, Claudia Pegus, Minka, Keneea Linton, Sandra Kennedy; and the world's best - Jessica Ogden and Duro Oluwa.

It is only appropriate that the Caribbean's first Caribbean fashion-industry forum should be organised on the heels of this event.

In addition, Kingsley Cooper - organiser of Caribbean Fashionweek - is also the head of the Caribbean Fashion Industry Association (CAFIA) - one of the partners of this business forum. The other partners include JAMPRO and the Caribbean Export Development Agency.

CFW's Sunday morning (9:30 a.m.) has been the traditional time for a business forum. However, this one will be different and will feature non-designers as well.

regional manufacturers

Mercedes Gonsalez, one of the featured speakers, is CEO of the much-acclaimed Global Purchasing Group (GPG). The company is a full-service buying office that plans and implements retail strategies for merchants and new designers.

GPG has also advised trade missions from Chile and China on entry to the American Fashion Industry. Gonsalez will also be presenting a detailed workshop for young designers after the general forum at 2:30 p.m.

This is highly recommended for those who want detailed advice based on their level of accomplishment (email creativeindustries@jamprocorp.com for admission).

The forum will also play host to manufacturers from Jamaica and around the region.

Manufacturing in both Haiti and the Dominican Republic will be highlighted. Both countries are centres of fashion manufacturing in the Caribbean.

The idea is for the region to become a fashion-industry powerhouse. Designers from both areas will speak to their manufacturing experience there.

The forum will also highlight how social media and other such devices have become key for promotion and marketing in today's business.

Brands from the traditional Chanel to the edgier Marc Jacobs are all on social media. To this end, the event will be joined by @Rachievpa and JoMarie Malcolm (of Lace and Zippers).

In addition, attendees will be introduced to the Caribbean Fashion Network.