Oraine won't be 'Man Down' at Fashionweek

Pulse supermodel Oraine Barrett, co-star of Rihanna's new music video Man Down, is on his way to Caribbean Fashionweek (CFW) amid worldwide controversy surrounding Rihanna's use of a gun to murder the Jamaican's character in the mini-film. Shot in Portland, Jamaica, Man Down is from from Rihanna's new album, the video for which has elicited a stunning 11 million hits in five days.

The fact that Rihanna should have chosen Jamaica to shoot the video is another point of controversy. Jamaica, considered to be a violent place by many, may well not appreciate the exposure on this occasion. However, as controversy skyrockets, so do album sales. Rihanna defends her video staunchly, saying that it gives women who have been raped a voice.

And Oraine knows that his acting skills are being seen by more people than usual. "It's just a job, one that I did very well," he said.

Oraine Barrett is the most successful Caribbean male model, after Tyson Beckford. He is currently the face of several Ralph Lauren brands and continues to command attention globally. A winner of Pulse's model search, Oraine is also a Vogue favourite and a Baby Phat poster boy. His clients include Liz Clairbourne, John Bartlett, Phat Premium, Abercrombie & Fitch, Pepe Jeans, Lord & Taylor, Vogue H'Omme, Italian Vogue, Japanese Vogue and GQ.

Exceptional experience

Caribbean Fashionweek is now on. The region's premier fashion and lifestyle event runs from today to Sunday, June 12 with fashion shows each night, concerts and after-parties. Mavado and Tanya Stephens appear on Fridays's Jamaica Night, with Machel Montano, David Rudder and Fab 5 on Saturday's Caribbean Night, and Joe and Beenie Man on Sunday's International Night.

Caribbean Fashionweek organiser Pulse says that it is pulling out all the stops to ensure that this week's event, which heralds the start of the second decade of CFW, is an exceptional experience.

Apart from the Caribbean's best designers, international stylists and celebrities, CFW 2011 features extended concert performances for the first time. This new live music innovation is meant to deepen and extend the entertainment value of the event, as well as integrate fashion and music even further, within the context of the Caribbean. Often seen as two sides of the same coin, fashion and music dominate popular culture and are inextricably woven into the fabric of modern entertainment.

Each year, CFW is attended by supermodels, special guests and fashionistas from the wider Caribbean and several other parts of the world.