Saint International model, Jody Shaw. - ContributedTwo years ago, at 16, Jody Shaw was a reserved teenager anxious to break into the fashion world.
Shaw was particularly keen on following in the footsteps of other Saint International models who were waving the Jamaican flag in the fashion capitals of Milan, South Africa, Paris, New York and Miami and so thought the best avenue would be to enter the CVM Model Search competition, put on by Saint International.
A former contestant in the Miss Teen Jamaica competition, Jody's dream was realised when she was selected as a finalist by Deiwight Peters, CEO of Saint International.
Shaw admits that Peters is a hard taskmaster who 'wants the best for all his models and does not sell pipe dreams'. To this end, Jody told Flair she had to exercise regularly to keep in shape and had to watch her diet no more fast food for her.
This new regimen, she states, made her feel healthier and helped to clear up a few skin blemishes she was told bluntly by Peters 'would not be tolerated on any runway of any international
designer.'
Shaw participated in the Fashionface of the Caribbean 2001 competition, where one of the judges, Khalid Salaam, was so impressed with her that she was offered a contract with Karin Models in Miami. She opted to do this after school.
Satisfied with her progress, Peters organised the usual developmental portfolio photo shoot with top rated fashion photographer Ron Contarsy and stylist Tyron Mayes whose celebrity roster includes Oprah Winfrey, Destiny's Child, Naomi Campbell and Iman.
From this shoot, Jody was selected to grace the cover of the Paris based DIVAS magazine and was also selected as one of the main fashion models by New York based Heart & Soul magazine for two of their upcoming issues.
Shaw admits to having been speechless when she got the call from her agent telling her that she had secured the cover of the French publication. She would love to be a major fashion star, and has hopes of one day starting in South Africa like many of her colleagues.
