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Jamaicans rock international runways

Published:Sunday | March 9, 2014 | 12:00 AM
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Saint rising star Kai Newman.
Saint star model Kai Newman in Balmain from the pre-fall collections in Paris in January.
Kai Newman for Burberry during London Fashion Week.
Tami Williams makes a stunning appearance in Marc Jacobs Fall 2014 during New York Fashion Week.
Saint models Tami Williams and Kai Newman (left) backstage at the Fausto Puglisi fashion show for Milan Fashion Week Fall 2014.
Tami Williams in Alberta Feretti backstage after runway exit at the brand's 2014 show during Milan Fashion Week.
Saint model Tami Williams shows the elegant lines that have made her a favourite among top designers. Here, she is backstage before appearing for Marco Di Vincenzo in Milan Fashion Week.
Tami Williams and Saint CEO Deiwght Peters. - Contributed
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As the curtains come down on the fall 2014 collections in the all-important fashion markets of New York, London, Milan, and Paris, global fashion leaders are clear on which designers and models impressed for the season.

Saint International models kept the Jamaican flag flying high in all the primary fashion capitals. While the veterans like Sam Taylor, Rascelle Osbourne, Brad Allen, and Sosheba Griffiths recorded presence, it was newcomers Kai Newman and Tami Williams who kept fashion power players relishing the 'Jamaican energy' on and off the runways.

Much to the delight of Saint International boss Deiwght Peters, who was on hand in Paris and Milan to chaperone and support the girls, they were both booked for appearances for two leading designers in Milan Fashion Week - Fausto Puglisi and Marni. "It was a remarkable moment when the producers and casting agents of Marni, Lanvin, and Alberta Ferretti commented to me directly on how impressed they were with the girls and the high international standards they were. Absolutely extraordinary," an elated Peters told Outlook.

Runway
Gold

In the business of high fashion, quality always
trumps quantity, so the shows on which a model appears will determine
the momentum of their careers. Kai Newman, Saint's Fashion Face of The
Caribbean 2013, followed up her debut season with another impressive
runway season. The Jamaican beauty strutted repeat seasons for Rodarte,
Mac by Marc Jacobs, and Calvin Klein. She made her first stop in London,
appearing for legendary Brit-brand Burberry and J.W Anderson, among
others. Arriving in Milan, she quickly booked Fausto Puglisi, Marni, and
Jil Sander (second season) et
al.

In Paris, the Saint star captured no
less than 11 runway bookings. Her enviable Paris show list included
Lanvin, Emanuel Ungaro, Vanessa Bruno, and Paco Rabanne, to name a
few.

Tami Williams got a selective start. A
semi-exclusive for Alexander Wang precipitated a tidal wave of calls and
emails, with offers of representation. This followed up with
ultra-selective Marc Jacobs and Edun, rounding out New York. Skipping
London, the St Elizabeth stunner arrived in Milan and walked for Fausto
Puglisi, Ermanno Scervino, Marni, and more.

There is
worldwide anticipation from leading agents, casting directors and show
producers from Milan, Paris, New York, and Milan, about who the new face
from Saint International will be during the Spring-Summer 2015 shows in
September.

Saint has confirmed that at least seven
major power model agents are already booked to be in Jamaica for Saint's
Fashion Face of the Caribbean Model Finals on March
15.

Contributed
Photos