8th July 2014

Caribbean Fashion Week 2014: Babes, beachwear and bikinis in Jamaica’s style show

Caribbean Fashion Week 2014: Babes, beachwear and bikinis in Jamaica’s style show

FORGET the fashion weeks of London, Paris, Milan and New York, for sizzling looks hot off the catwalk, stylist Salome Munuo discovers the only way is the Caribbean

fashion, jehan jacksonCaribbean Fashion Week was a carnival of island colour and style [PH]
It’s an annual style celebration, packed with colour, design talent and all-important front row – welcome to Caribbean Fashion Week.For more than a decade, Jamaica’s capital Kingston has hosted the cream of the islands’ talent and as a first-time attendee I was blown away with the craftsmanship and attention to detail of all the collections.

The brainchild of Kingsley Cooper CEO of Pulse, a fashion and entertainment company powering both the fashion and modelling industries in the Caribbean, the annual event has grown from strength to strength.

It now has a strong A-lister FROW following including the likes of Kelly Rowland and Hollywood actress Nia Long who have attended in previous years.

Alicia mullingsAlicia Mullings sent soft tailoring and elegant shift dresses down the catwalk [INSTAGRAM]
And this year, CFW also offered fashion fans the chance to buy anything they see fresh off the catwalk with the launch of a new e-commerce sit, shopcaribbeanfashion.com.It’s a useful addition to the show,  particularly  if you’re still searching for the ultimate swimsuit or kaftan to improve your beach wardrobe.

Womenswear was the main theme of the runway shows with a sprinkling of menswear to complement the key looks, as seen in the preppy-themed show of Jamaican designer Barry Moncrieff.

A total of 30 designers displayed their collections over the three day event.

My key favourites were the retro prints of UK designer Alicia Mullings. Her elegant shift dress and soft tailoring were a perfect fusion, working well as a day-to-night outfit if upgraded with accessories of a statement necklace and high-heeled sandal. The three day event oozed both local and international talent from as far a field as Italy.

But for me the award of the fashion crown of the High Summer 2014 shows would go to another homegrown talent, Jehan Jackson.Her collection of resort and beachwear was dripping with sexy cut-out swimsuits, bikinis and kaftans with oversized statement woven hats and bags in metallic tones.

The CFW experience was a colourful carnival of must-have delights, made only better by the warm hearted and laid back charm of the island – in contrast to the cold cobbles and rain of London Fashion Week.

By: Salome Munuo

By JHPR

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