CFW takes the spotlight

Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

After the jittery early start of the formative years, the Kingsley Cooper-founded Pulse will add to its growing list of achievements at its 10th anniversary as the region's first-ever Caribbean Fashionweek (CFW).

And, coming in the aftermath of a rash of international bad press, which highlighted the negative sides of destination Jamaica, CFW 2010 could not happen at a more opportune time. It will show us as creative geniuses with beauty and fashion savvy and with a unique regional brand of hospitality and a winning appeal that sets our people above the rest!

While Jamaicans abroad lament the atrocities visited upon our beautiful island in recent weeks, CFW will now be an immediate vehicle to clearly establish in the minds of the international media that Tivoli Gardens is not Kingston.

After a decade of emblazoning Kingston as the glamour capital of the Caribbean, this year's staging of the 10th anniversary of CFW takes on added significance in seeking to right our wronged image, internationally.

In this respect, our international superstars of track and field, as well as our musical and international film legends, should have been included as part of this year's staging, with their potential to reach millions across the globe.

Alas! The marketing geniuses representing the tourism product remain trapped in their own tunnels, thus missing out on a golden opportunity to maximise the promotional opportunity being afforded by CFW.

Anyway my dears, it's all about CFW from June 15-20 with all eyes of the international fashion arena set to focused on Kingston, Jamaica. Fahionistas, aficionados and fashion bessies are all set to descend on the capital for the annual event.

And dears, the Caribbean's hottest and fastest rising star of print and catwalk, Sedene Blake, currently gracing the cover of Italian Vogue beauty edition, is set to arrive for CFW, along with a number of other Pulse international stars.

Talk about hot, since her introduction to the international scene by Pulse earlier this year, Blake has proved to be the hottest model now strutting international catwalks and gracing magazine covers, such as the current cover and spread in Italian Vogue. That highlighted a whirlwind career that saw her doing some 40 shows during the prestigious New York Fashion Week, and chalking up another 60 since then, strutting her stuff for designers such as Tommy Hilfiger, Carolina Herrera, Viviene Westwood, Marc Jacobs and Valentino in Paris, London and Milan.

And my dears, as if the 'Cinnamon-toned beauty', is not hot enough, CFW 2010 promises to be bounty of fabulousness for fashion lovers as the incomparable songstress and beauty, Ashley Martin, known for her fabulous wardrobe and scorching performances, will be launching her own clothing line under the label Attitude, and this promises to be one of the discoveries of the season.

Luvs, the real gungo is all about next weekend when the runways come alive at the National Indoor Sports Centre, when models take to the stage as they introduce the designers' collections.

Musical flavour

And to add to the musical flavour as well as to the mantra, Partying For a Cause, tonight will see international Haitian pop star and fashionista Katia Cadet in a benefit performance in aid of the victims of Haiti's recent earthquake. Saturday night will see the internationally acclaimed Johnny Gill in concert; with Sunday seeing Ce'cile, Una Morgan, her sibling Gramps, both of Morgan's Heritage, in performance. All of this unfolds nightly with after-parties slated for Studio 38, at the Pulse Complex, Club Privilege, plus a number of invitations-only number.

Dears, we are talking a star-studded line-up here of not only performers and models but also of some of the fashion industry's hottest stars, such as photographer Marc Baptiste, I-D editor Giannie Couji, celebrity make-up mogul Eve Pearl in attendance; not to mention celebrity talent spotters who will be quietly spotting talent on and off stage! But make no mistake about it, CFW 2010 will not only be showcasing the region and diaspora's hottest in fashion and talent, it will be Jamaica's finest international hour. It's a must-attend.