The hidden benefits - HEART trainees earn valuable experience from Fashionblock

Thirty-five-year-old HEART Trust/National Training Agency trainee Judith Appleby described last Sunday's staging of Fashionblock as the "happiest day of my life".

The Saint International-staged event is held annually and steals the streets of Knutsford Boulevard in St Andrew. The narrow strip is transformed into a fashion Mecca, a display of the haute, trendy, even the seemingly ridiculous.

But behind this larger than life manifestation of what organisers deemed the best of Caribbean fashion and culture lies intricate machinery that is propelled by Saint International staff and dozens of little worker bees.

The workers, many of whom are trainees from the newly branded HEART College of Beauty Services (HCBS) and the Garmex Academy, represent the future of Jamaican fashion.

lasting impression

Appleby was one of 21 trainees present and worked on makeup and hair backstage. She said her Fashionblock experience, though short, was critical to her development as a cosmetologist. Appleby said she had always dreamt of being in the beauty industry and cites her years of plaiting her dolly's hair behind the bench in class. She enrolled in HCBS in September 2010. Her fashionblock experience, courtesy of HEART/NTA's partnership with Saint International has left a lasting impression on her conviction to be cutting edge. She cites designer Gregory Williams of HOD as having a strong impression on that conviction.

"Him creative bad, I learnt so much from him, he's a brilliant mind, out there," she said.

Williams' work included a dress with a bodice made of fabric and wire and a bird coop equipped with a nest, live birds and eggs. When his model exited, the catwalk, she was covered with feathers and bird feed. The dress won the avant-garde prize for the night.

Sharna-kay Livingston a 23-year-old level-two fashion designing student at the Garmex Academy worked with Williams in the construction of the 'Birdrageous' dress. She dreams of having her own line in the next five years and sees these opportunities as training grounds.

"I have some designs that I definitely want to show to the world, I think outside the box. I want to show everybody who I am and what I'm about."

The self-professed 'artist' says for her, fashion is not just about what's hot and trendy but should involve deep thinking and a high level of artistry.

"I can draw and that has helped me, I have an artistic mind and incorporate that into my work, whether it be embroidery, appliqué, tie and dye or a creative colour scheme."

Another trainee of HCBS Kechann Smiley said she has "dreams of running the place". The 19-year-old level-two cosmetology and beauty services student said she tried her best to learn as much as possible and leave a positive impression on the show's professional industry workers.

"One of the hairstylists complimented me and told me he was proud. I was like "OMG (Oh My God) a professional is telling me I am doing good!"

Smiley said her training at HCBS prepared her well for the intensity of the show.

"It's just like school. We are tested a lot and have to learn how to work under pressure so even though Fashionblock was challenging we were used to it."

Smiley said she admired make-up artist Tyron Mayes and hopes to open her own salon in addition to pursuing a career in media.

"I want to become a reporter as well, but I know that at the end of the day I will need a skill.

"I want to be an entrepreneur and be in media, I don't think we should limit ourselves," she said.

Kenesha Campbell, communications officer at HEART, prepared the team for Fashionblock.

"We are really proud of what they have been able to do and this is proof to us that they can demonstrate their competence under any circumstances. That is what we are about, at the end of the day they will be certified but more importantly it won't just be another piece of paper."