Nicole Miller from the United States is the guest designer at this year’s Caribbean Fashion Week (CFW-RD) to be held at the Convention Center of the Port of Sanssouci this coming 31 May to 4 June.
In an interview with Listin Diario event organizer Tita Hasbun said that in the Caribbean the seasons are not marked because the weather is similar all year round. She says local designers focus on resort wear. “We are islands, we are resorts, then we have to create space where fashion can project itself first to the Dominican market,” she said. Nevertheless, some international guest designers will present their pre-fall creations that they have already prepared for their own markets. She says participating in the local fashion events is an opportunity to test the market and look into opening boutiques here.
New this year is an agreement with the organizers of the Puerto Rico High Fashion Week so that emerging designers from each country can take part in each other’s runway shows.
Again this year, novice designers will compete for a scholarship at the Istituto Europeo di Design and the second-place winner will get a scholarship for the summer program at Altos de Chavon in La Romana. There will be a third place winner apprenticeship at the atelier of a leading Dominican designer.
Participants this year are Nicole Miller (US), Custo Barcelona (Spain) and Carlos Campos (Peru). Also Benito Fernandez (Argentina), Jolibe (brand name of Joel Diaz, a Dominican working in NY), Giovanni Scutaro (Venezuela), Giovanni Lopez (Colombia), Eddie Guerrero, Stella Nolasco and Miriam Budet (Puerto Rico.
Others are Marcelo Serna, Veronica del Canal and Gabriela Lage who make up Argentina Showcase, a group that got together to participate in the Caribbean Fashion Week.
Local participants include Sissy Bermudez, Arcadio Diaz, Giannina Azar, Esteban Martinez, Damaris Rubio, Modesta Castillo, Diany Mota, Mauricio Alberino and Martin Polanco.
New talents are Carlos Frank Then, Miguel Genao, Alexis Gutierrez and Luisina Victoria.
There will be 45 runways in five days.
Miss Universe Ximena Navarrete will model clothes by Peruvian Carlos Campos, who also designs for men. Miss Universe 2009, Stefania Fernandez will model for Giovanni Scutaro (Venezuela).