By Al Edwards, Business Co-ordinatorLOCAL FASHION model agency Pulse with the support of private sector companies and government agencies through-out the Caribbean, has managed to secure a budget of $55 million for this year's Caribbean Fashionweek (CFW), which is to be held in New Kingston at the Hilton Kingston Hotel from November 6 to 9.
Nearly $25 million of the sum is to come from private sector 'in kind' sponsors. The balance, in cash, will come from other private sector companies, as well as government and related donor agencies in Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago and elsewhere in the region, said Pulse's chief executive officer, Kingsley Cooper. A number of Caribbean-based designers are also being sponsored by their governments to CFW 2003, he continued.
According to Mr. Cooper, sponsorship, in some instances, represents a Caribbean-wide commitment by international brands which see Caribbean Fashionweek as an ideal way to market their products throughout the region.
SPONSORS
He further pointed out that the number of sponsors of CFW has grown exponentially in its brief history and so far has not lost a private sector sponsor since it was first staged in November 2001.
Among the corporate sponsors of this year's four-day event are Digicel, Proctor & Gamble (through its Clairol brand), the Jamaica Agricultural Development Foundation (producer of West Indies Sea Island Cotton), Coca Cola, Nestlé (Fitness Cereal), Wray and Nephew (Smirnoff), Air Jamaica and BWIA. The Hilton Hotel will be the main event venue, while the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, the Courtleigh and Knutsford Court hotels will provide additional accommodation. Media houses associated with the event are TVJ in Jamaica, TTTV in Trinidad & Tobago and CBC TV, Barbados.
The largest portion of the $55 budget million for CFW 2003 $15.4 million is to go towards the styling and production of the show, as well as the exhibition. This includes upkeep for the CFW Secretariat/Production offices in New Kingston and New York. $12 million has been allocated to advertising and the CFW web site, while $8 million has been set aside for the production and broadcast of a 14-part series of the Caribbean Fashion weekly TV show throughout the Caribbean. Hotel accommodation and air transport will cost $6.5 million. The remainder of the budget will cover such areas as the opening gala and after-parties; publications for the show and printing costs; workshops; administration; marketing, sales and public relations; as well as local and international TV show premieres.
TRAVELLING EXTENSIVELY
Over the past few weeks, Pulse representatives have been travelling extensively throughout the USA and the Caribbean to finalise international inputs for CFW 2003.
Already 200 designers, production crews, showroom operators, buyers and media personnel have confirmed their participation in the show which, in addition to runway presentations of local designs and exhibitions, will include a series of workshops and seminars to prepare designers to capitalise on the much greater buyer interest anticipated in 2004.
Speaking to Wednesday Business last night, Mr. Cooper said: "This is the largest budget we have had to date. We hope to get support for Jamaican designers from Government of Jamaica agencies or one of the donor funds that they control.
"As far as Caribbean Fashionweek is concerned, the first year (2001) was inaugural, the second was consolidation and this year we will see expansion and growth."
Speakers at this year's Caribbean Fashionweek will include Martin Carstarphan of Gulfstream Trading (a US importer of Jamaica Sea Island Cotton), Mohan Singh, a fabric manufacturer for top-end American designers; Gary Williams of Gary Williams Show Rooms and Jeff Cobham, a former deputy chairman of NCB.
