Saint International has designated March 15-16 the Avant Garde Fashion Face of the Caribbean weekend. This year, the agency promises a glamour-infused two-day event instead of the usual roster of a one-night only finale. On March 15, an exclusive invitation-only reception will take place at the Sky Terrace of the on-trend Spanish Court Hotel. The guest list for this event will include an internationally renowned and celebrated civil rights attorney, a jet-setting modern-day international supermodel, global model agents, business titans, legal luminaries, parliamentarians and socialites. On Saturday, March 16 the Courtleigh auditorium will play host for the finals where 13 designers will compete for the Jamaica Avant Garde Designer of the Year title.

Interestingly this year, the overall event schedule has been augmented with an additional event dubbed 'Fashionable Karaoke' taking place at the Morgan's Harbour Hotel on March 8 at 7 p.m. Contestants, guest models, sponsors, and specially invited guests will be hitting the mike to demonstrate their musical prowess.

"This exciting addition of the fashionable karaoke event was created as a means of giving contestants creative exposure and also to assess their personalities," explains Saint CEO Deiwght Peters. Guests at the event will also get to see the finalists in this year's Fashion Face Model Competition. Some of the world's top agents are expected to be in attendance at the event.

International talent

According to a release from the agency, Peters notes, "We have close to 10 leading agencies and even top casting directors that are scheduled to be here for the event. Based on the consistently high quality of entrants we have come to be known worldwide." In the past, agencies such as ELITE, Wilhelmina, MUSE Models, IMG, NEXT, which are among the world's top-tiered agencies, have come to judge and offer contestants on-the spot contracts - a first in Jamaica for model competitions.

By any standard, the Fashion Face of the Caribbean has become a leading source for trending new faces in the world of high fashion. Shena Moulton, Sosheba Griffiths, Ashane Rose, Sam Taylor, Brad Allen, et al have all been alumni of the contest who have stamped their brand of glamour on the world's runways.