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Photo above is of Uniquely designed jewellery from Miranda Askie of Antigua and Barbuda.
A bevy of beautiful “celebrity models” will “strut their stuff” and will help celebrate Caribbean flair, when the elegance and sophistication of island-chic comes alive on the runway, in a cultural celebration — “Cuttin’ Style Caribbean” Gala Fashion Show and Dinner — next week Saturday.
The “celebrity models” who will grace the catwalk include: Diane Clemons, a singer, songwriter and Co-Founder of the Michael Pinball Clemons Foundation; Tammie Sutherland, reporter and anchor for CityNews Toronto; Alisha Tatham, Olympian, performance coach, inspirational speaker; Jemeni, radio host at G987FM; Karlyn Percil, Founder of Sister Talk, author, public speaker and leadership coach; and Gwyneth Chapman, television broadcaster, producer, motivational speaker and community advocate.
Cuttin’ Style Caribbean, which will showcase women’s and men’s wear from the Summer/Fall 2016 collections — featuring some of the best and most recognised designers of the Caribbean — is being produced by Joan Pierre and Associates, a reputable, Markham-based top-of-the-line event management company.
Elegant white beachwear, designed by Shaun Griffith Perez of Trinidad and Tobago.
The venerable company has been commissioned by the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games arts and culture festival, PANAMANIA, to produce the fashion show component of the 17th Pan American Games (TO2015) in Toronto.
“Our vision for Cuttin’ Style Caribbean is a series of exceptional, highly original fashion-oriented events aimed at displaying the sophistication and providing the experience from a unique perspective – the most exquisite side and the finest expression of Caribbean elegance,” says Joan Pierre, the executive producer of the gala.
“The initial vision for this venture included participation from all Caribbean islands, after 30 months of negotiations; I am pleased to applaud the countries of Antigua along with Trinidad and Tobago for supporting their designers so that they could be a part of this inaugural and international event at Panamania.”
“This delightful evening is designed to display a wide range of Caribbean fashion, from resort to haute Caribe,” she added. “The fashions will reveal the distinctive charm and the unique appeal of the New World brand — Caribbean style.”
The goal of “Cuttin’ Style Caribbean” is to showcase the sophistication and experience of island splendour, while celebrating the spirit of PANAMANIA. More than a dozen designers along with their artistic clothing from across the Caribbean will be highlighted in an event unlike any before seen in Toronto, promises the organiser.
Pierre, who is collaborating with fashion impresario, Richard Young — the show’s creative director — says, “Cuttin’ Style Caribbean” is the platform from which Toronto and the world will see the elegance and beauty that is Caribbean fashion.
Young calls the extravaganza the Caribbean region’s “chance to come together and show the world what we have to offer.”
Pierre and Young say that gala attendees can expect a celebration of different Caribbean aesthetic elements that will excite the palette, the aural and visual senses.
PANAMANIA, presented by CIBC, is the 35-day arts and culture festival to enrich the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games experience, showcasing the diverse cultures and artistic excellence of Ontario, Canada and the Americas, through music, theatre, dance, visual arts and fashion.
Governments and governmental agencies have played an integral role in sponsoring designers, allowing the opportunity to share their talents during PANAMANIA, which will also feature 40 national and international performances and exhibitions, including 28 commissioned world premieres at more than 20 locations across Toronto.
“Cuttin’ Style Caribbean” Gala Fashion Show and Dinner takes place at the Westin Harbour Castle, 1 Harbour Square, Toronto, on Saturday, July 18, 2015 at 8:00 PM.
Tickets are available online at: www.cuttinstyle.com. For more information about the gala call: (905) 201-2836.
