Final preparations are under way for DominicanaModa 2012, the leading Dominican fashion week. This year, the Elie Saab collection will close the popular event that takes place at the Hotel Embajador. This year?s event, organized by Mirka Morales, Socrates McKinney and Fidel Lopez, will take place from 22-27 October with sponsorship from Occidental Hotels, the Ministry of Tourism and Brugal 1888.
Now in its seventh year, Dominicana Moda is regarded as one of the top five fashion events held in Latin America, and at least 40 journalists from Latin America, Europe and the United States have registered to cover it. More than 50 collections by Dominican and international designers will be shown. Venezuelan Angel Sanchez is responsible for the opening, but there will also be collections by Colombian and Caribbean designers on Tuesday, 23, the international day of the week, sponsored by Pro Export of Colombia and Caribbean Export Development Agency of the Caribbean.
Dominican designers participating this year and presenting their collections include: Leonel Lirio, Gutierrez-Marcano, Giannina Azar, Magaly Tiburcio, Jose Jhan Rodriguez, Oriet Domenech, Moises Quesada, Larissa Salcedo, Jacqueline Then, Jusef Sanchez, Wendy Luzon, Damaris Rubio, Modesta Castillo, Cynthia Avelino and Luis Dominguez.
Dominican brands Camila, Blue Country, Velero and Cosita Linda will be shown. In addition, children?s collections by Linandra Javier, Karla Riggs and Blue Island by Madelaine Morel will feature. Children who benefit from the work of many foundations in the Dominican Republic will participate in the shows.
New talents to be showcased this year include: Nelson Tavarez, Emmy Jorge, Luis Arismendy, Miguel Genao, Lindsey Soto, Yndra Rodriguez, Keyther Estevez and Carlos Nunez. Altos de Chavon School of Design will also present the runway walk by the best of its 2012 graduates. Dominicans abroad are also represented by the collections of Lucia Rodriguez, Yohanny Gursey, Solange Jimenez and Jose Duran.
This year, the first DM Award will be presented to Dominican top model Avril Guerrero who will come this year for the event.
New for this year, is Santo Domingo?s Fashion Night Out 2012, to take place on Friday, 19 October prior to the opening of the fashion week. The event includes shopping until 12 midnight with many stores offering bargains and entertainment that evening.