After a two-year hiatus, the popular television reality series is back. In the wake of the increased global attention being given to the creative industries, and fashion- related enterprises gaining much media exposure, the show is a welcome return to TV. National Communications Network (NCN), one of the companies partnering with the creators of this showcase of young and upcoming talent, looks forward to its airing.
Producer Sonia Noel recently back from stints as guest judge on Mission Catwalk – the Caribbean equivalent of Project Runway, spoke excitedly about the return of the show, and related that they needed a two-year period to ensure a developmental programme was implemented. “Competition is healthy! It brings out a lot of the country’s hidden and greatly potential talent,” Noel added.
Caribbean fashion guru Richard Young lends his expertise to this dynamic “treasure chest”, as he calls it. He cites Project Runway, where his fellow Trinidadian fashion designer colleague Anya A Young Chee copped the title, as testimony to the possibility of Caribbean success in this burgeoning market of opportunity. The Caribbean’s creative capacity, he noted, must be unleashed, hence they are earning a slice of the “pie” of available revenue within the international fashion industry.
“American network programmes like “Fashion Star”, “Stylista”, “Make Me a Supermodel”, “America’s Next Top Model”, to name a few, represent the preoccupation viewers have with this industry,” he related.
Added to this menu is “Caribbean’s Next Top Model”, soon to be aired on CBS, where Young served as a resident judge and creative consultant alongside the ever-gracious Miss Universe 1998, Wendy Fitzwilliam.
“There is an unprecedented appeal surrounding fashion and its adjuncts and, as such, we are to reap the rewards of this fascination. We are to prepare our talented sons/ daughters of the soil for their day in the sun,” he stated.
Both Noel and Young have assumed fervently their responsibilities as fashion stewards and plan a dynamic run this season. With the winning stakes up to Gy$ 500,000, compliments of Scotiabank, the winners will benefit handsomely from this grand kickoff to what can become a lucrative career. They will also receive trips, sewing machine, jewellery etc.
The producers of Guyana Model Search and Designer Portfolio are well aware of the youth empowerment capacity of their efforts, and have solicited both private and public sector companies to engage in their corporate social responsibility to nation building. Scotiabank, Courts, Digicel, NCN, Rent-A-Tent, German’s Restaurant and the Human Services and Social Security Ministry have all confirmed their readiness to sponsor the event.
Two powerful agendas have been incorporated into the mission of the series this year and other companies are encouraged to join this partnership. The issue of domestic violence is to be featured prominently with its underpinning, gender equality, and an outreach perspective, where the focus of attention shifts from the capital of Georgetown.
Isika Boutique in Barr Street, Kitty is going to be the venue for the final event. The management at Isika is on board as partners to fuel the marketing drive to allow out-of-town Guyanese to be part of headline events, as well as to encourage Georgetown folk to interact at other locations, outside of the capital. The final will take the form of a whole-day family event – entertainment, educational workshops, fashion retail booths and will climax with the televised presentation on the 1st of July, 2012. Country wide audition begins soon. For more information call 592-226- 3099 or email guanafw@ gmail.com.
