Jamaican Designers for International Fashion Show in London

Jamaican’s participation in the International Fashion Showcase (IFS) in London was formally launched on Wednesday, February 12, at a glittering reception and fashion show held at the Jamaican High Commission.

Entitled ‘Threadbare’, and featuring the works of five Jamaican designers, Jamaican’s participation will include a static exhibition at Dover Street in the heart of the fashionable Mayfair area of London, which will run until February 18.

The designers and the management team from the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), including Chief Executive Officer, Valerie Veira and Consultant Marie Casserly, will also host and participate in a series of workshops and seminars.

Jamaica’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), Her Excellency Aloun, Ndombet-Assamba, who officially launched the event, said the country’s participation in the IFS provides a wonderful platform to promote ‘Brand Jamaica’.

“It will highlight another area in which our country can excel and meet high international standards. The five talented Jamaican designers, who are here to be part of this international event, will have the opportunity to not only reach a global audience and to also network with their peers from Europe and across the world,” she stated.

She said the event will also be a great opportunity for technocrats in the Jamaican creative industry “to see… the potential for trade and investment that can come from the sector.”

High Commissioner Assamba said the Government of Jamaica has identified the creative industries as a focus area and its support of the team that is in London is a sign of its commitment to the sector.

The Jamaican’s team’s participation was made possible by a grant from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) and is supported by the Jamaica Tourist Board. Other Sponsors include: The British Council; The British Fashion Council; 360 Degrees and Quintessentially Art; The Jamaica Observer; British Airways and Ms. Dorothy Ottey.

The Jamaican designers taking part in the international showcase are Dexter Huxtable of Spokes Apparel; Claire Requa of Clairely Upcycled Jewellery; Ayanna Dixon of ASD Clothing; Simone Nielson of Ms. Sim; and Abenah Gonzalez of Abenah Adelaide Designs.

The JBDC said that the designers will also engage in a schedule of capacity-building sessions organised by the British Council and the British Fashion Council, in collaboration with various London fashion schools, London-based enterprises and marketing companies.

The Jamaican programme also includes two special sessions at Dover Street entitled: ‘Shoes makes the man’ with designer Marc Hare and an appearance on the  ‘The It factor’ programme with industry insiders Mandi Lennard, Claire we Sulmers, and Susan Bender, who will talk about getting attention in the fashion industry.

The IFS was launched in 2012 and celebrates London’s position as an international fashion city with a reputation for nurturing emerging talent.

It is organized by the British Council and British Fashion Council, and takes place during London Fashion Week.

Other countries scheduled to participate in IFS 2014 include Argentina, Austria, China, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Nigeria, Paraguay, The Philippines, Portugal, Slovakia, Switzerland and Vietnam, Brazil, Japan, Korea, Panama, Canada, Romania, Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway, Sweden), Tanzania and The Netherlands.  The showcase offers the public, the international press and fashion buyers, the chance to see the works of young fashion designers from around the world.