After a two-year break, USVI Fashion Week founder and CEO Henry Marsham, returned to the helm for this year’s event, held Oct. 4-9 in the majestic Frenchman Resort in St Thomas U.S. Virgin Islands.
Appropriately termed Fashion Week 2011 – “Caribbean Catwalk” packed week of activities and concluded with two major runway shows that showcased over 24 designers from the Caribbean coming from as far as Guyana and New York.
Luana Wheatly, representative from USVI’s Department of Tourism, said she was excited about the return of Caribbean Catwalk to the islands.
“Not only does it showcase the many talented designers in the region but it also offers great publicity for the islands as well,” she said. “The USVI presents four different islands, each with its own unique personality.
“Easy inter-island travel makes the destination the ideal fit for groups and families with different interests,” Wheatly said. “Its four vacations in one”.
USVI Fashion Week- Caribbean Catwalk had two days of showings. Under the esteemed patronage of several, former and current, USVI senators, including Sen. Shaun Malone (Agriculture and Economic Development – St. Thomas) and other local celebrities. Both days offered guests the opportunity to view the creations of such designers as, John Ashford (New York), Adisa Christopher (St. Croix), Judith Rawlins (St Kitts), Natural Liberty (St Thomas), F.A.R.I, – a team comprised of brothers and cousins with their unique T-Shirt line (Baltimore/St Thomas), Marci Desantos (Guyana) and Sonia Noel, who also won the Caribbean Fashion Ambassador Award presented by Mr. Marsham.
Caribbean Catwalk also had featured appearances from Yulanda Gentles – Miss Direct Music TV Model search winner from St. Maarten and Diva Davanna – the unofficial youngest supermodel of the world.
Having won the 2011 Direct Music TV model search, Yulanda was awarded the opportunity to represent her island in this year’s Caribbean Catwalk.
With facial features similar to that of Alek Wek and a walk that rivals such, Yulanda captivated the attendees of this year’s events. Diva Davanna has already been featured in over 250 worldwide fashion shows and has been recognized by Tyra Banks and often compared to Naomi Campbell. At just 10 years of age, she controls the runway with a walk that commands the attention of all. Both graced the catwalk for various designers and were easily the crowd favorites.
Fashion Week is one of few that have decided to go GREEN and also present to its audiences, an eco- fashion presentation.
The events concluded on the final day with congratulatory messages to Henry Marsham – USVI Fashion Week’s CEO and founder, from the USVI Senators, Fashion Week sponsors, friends and well wishers.
Patrons, designers and models rose to their feet to embrace the successful return of Fashion Week – Caribbean Catwalk to the U.S. Virgin Islands after its two year absence, and USVI officials were thrilled by the added exposure that Mr. Marsham had afforded the pristine destination.
