Tue | Feb 17, 2026

SAINT Fashion Face contestants ready for grand showdown

Published:Friday | May 31, 2024 | 12:06 AM
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SAINT’s female Fashion Face of the Caribbean contestants (back row, from left) Ayanna Jamieson, Taneisha Ferrigon, Shahine Parish and (front row, from left) Shelly-Ann Campbell and Kelecia Catwell.
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SAINT’s female Fashion Face of the Caribbean contestants (back row, from left) Ayanna Jamieson, Taneisha Ferrigon, Shahine Parish and (front row, from left) Shelly-Ann Campbell and Kelecia Catwell.
SAINT’s male Fashion Face of the Caribbean contestants (back row, from left) Ikeno Dunkley, Aeriel McIntosh, Fabian Spence and (front row, from left) Deandre Carr, Brandon Campbell and Chris Paul Stephenson.
Contributed
SAINT’s male Fashion Face of the Caribbean contestants (back row, from left) Ikeno Dunkley, Aeriel McIntosh, Fabian Spence and (front row, from left) Deandre Carr, Brandon Campbell and Chris Paul Stephenson.
SAINT’s female Fashion Face of the Caribbean contestants (from left) Arianna O’Connor, Rihanna Lindner, Monipha Thompson, Kimberly Swaby and Destiny Gregory.
Contributed
SAINT’s female Fashion Face of the Caribbean contestants (from left) Arianna O’Connor, Rihanna Lindner, Monipha Thompson, Kimberly Swaby and Destiny Gregory.
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Eager to grace the catwalk, male and female contestants competing in this year’s SAINT Fashion Face of the Caribbean competition were brimming with enthusiasm as they honed their modelling skills at the final training session last Sunday. Inside the Blue Mountain conference space at the AC Kingston Hotel, 80 aspiring models rehearsed their runway walks and envisioned their potential top-10 positions under the guidance of SAINT’s CEO, Deiwght Peters.

“I have learnt how to properly posture my body and walk with confidence,” said 21-year-old Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts student Lewis McKinson, who holds both Jamaican and British citizenship. “Throughout these training classes, I also learnt how to hold eye contact and carry myself in a certain way that others would think highly of me.” McKinson, currently in his second of a four-year Bachelor of Music degree programme with a major in drums, was scouted on Instagram by Peters and decided to enrol in the fashion competition. “I have been told often by people that I have the look, so I wanted to test my luck. I am over the moon to be in this development phase, and I hope it goes well.”

MIXED UP

Clutching her stilettos after wrapping up a runway coaching session with SAINT supermodel Kai Newman, Shahine Parrish was aglow. “I was scouted twice by SAINT, first at Oberlin High when I was 17 and then COVID came, and everything got mixed up. I was scouted again at Jose Marti Technical High School when I was 19,” she disclosed. Now 21 years and in her first year at Shortwood Teachers’ College where she is studying English language and literature.

Parrish continued, “my experience being part of the training has been enlightening. I have learnt so much and my confidence has grown drastically. I have seen development and I’m very proud of that.”

Newman, a former Fashion Face contestant back in 2013, was on hand to impart her invaluable experience. “Being here now and seeing them walk reminds me of my time when I was in training. I was 15 at the time but it was amazing. I see a couple [potential] winners from this year’s batch, but there can only be one. Their walk is strong, they are positive, their energy is right, and they are ready,” she shared.

Entertaining dreams of becoming a model across the world’s fashion capitals, Charlie Smith High student Ajani Dandy, saw the contest as his chance to journey beyond his island home. “I wanted to try out modelling because it seemed fun. I play football and I like to try out new things,” declared the six-feet three-inches tall 14-year-old. “I have been in the training programme for two months and it’s taught us how to behave in public and have good deportment. I see opportunity in modelling, and you can go overseas and be scouted by international agencies to work.”

Other contestants find interest in the creative side of the fashion industry. “I love taking pictures, and the process of a photoshoot,” remarked Excelsior Community College student Ivornesha Henry, a first-year nursing major. The 17-year-old has cherished the time spent among her peers. “We are like a family, and I have learnt to always be the best version of myself and maintain a positive attitude.”

For Peters, the class of 2024 model aspirants holds much promise, “This year is particularly strong with quite a few female and male stars among the mix. I can guarantee that the model agents flying in this weekend from Spain, Germany, Milan and New York have their work cut out for them. But, there’s no doubt we’re going to launch new faces for the international fashion markets to follow up on the success of last year’s female winner Dru Campbell.”

The annual Fashion Face of the Caribbean and Jamaica Avant Garde Designer of the Year competition will be held this Saturday, June 1, at the AC Kingston Hotel. Twenty-four designers will vie for the Avant Garde title, while established designers like Kadian Nicely, Sylvister, Pebbles, Heather Laine, and Andre Shirley will showcase their collections in a Style File segment. The event will also feature live performances by recording artists D’Angel, Tifa, and J Calm.