Readying for London

Mission Catwalk winner heads to fashion school

Like the athletes who represented 'the Rock' with stellar performances at the 2012 Olympics in London, Mission Catwalk Season 2 winner Gregory Williams is ready to make his mark on the European city when he arrives for his studies at the London College...

"It's not that I didn't know before, but their accomplishments really convinced me that the sky is the limit," said the 28-year-old Cross Roads native. "I just want to go there and give it my all. Jamaica need fi de ya pon di fashion map."

Part of $3 million in prizes offered throughout the season, Williams' winnings also include $200,000 worth of sewing equipment from Singer which he has already received. Williams also opened a business account at NCB with a $500,000 cash contribution from the bank that will fund his HOD Designs fashion line.

Items from HOD will be available tomorrow at SOHO Boutique, but really become available for sale in December. Also in September, Williams' Mission Catwalk model Sydia Valentine will shoot a fashion spread for OCEAN Style's December issue.

Valentine will walk at Williams' London Fashion Week (LFW) presentation in February 2013. The winning prize previously included the chance to show at LFW September 2012.

The show's host and executive producer Keneea Linton-George explains the change. "When we thought about it, it just made sense. Gregory's focus should be on school and mastering the skills necessary to become a top-class designer. At the end of our last season, he had to create a collection for Caribbean Fashionweek (CFW) and viewers saw upfront how challenging that was. We want to spare him the pressure and have him focus on his studies, which will also take him to Paris."

Apart from his College of Fashion classes, Williams will apprentice with Trinidad-born bespoke tailor Andrew Ramroop, who has dressed prominent men including members of the royal family, parliamentarians and entertainers such as Jay-Z and Will Smith.

Williams, a former Saint International model, was considered one of the most outspoken contestants on the 13-episode show, which featured participants from around the region. Voted fan favourite by Jamaican viewers, he snagged the title with his cohesive collection of sexy and edgy pieces which he presented at CFW along with three other finalists on June 8.

Since then, Williams has been busy designing for his regular clients, attending fashionable events and contributing to the wardrobe of Miss Jamaica World 2012 Deanna Robins.

He also created a look for the Jamaica 50 fashion show at the Jubilee Village outside the National Stadium.

Fans will get an update of Williams' achievements as well as his LFW 2013 presentation on Season 3 of Mission Catwalk. Casting for the show begins in December.

For more information, visit: facebook.com/missioncatwalktv.