The Future of Fashion

By Walter Greene In an exquisite salon setting at the John E. Reeves Great Hall of New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, the 2010 Graduates collection was unveiled before a gathering of the fashion elite including designers: Calvin Klein, Carolina Herrera, Victor Costa, Patricia Field, Angel Sanchez, Amsale Aberra and Andrew Fezza. In a spectacular fashion show appropriately entitled "The Future Of Fashion" the graduating students presented 101 fashion forward garments as FIT showcased sportswear, special occasion wear, knitwear, intimate apparel, menswear and children’s wear for fall 2010.

Dr. Joyce F. Brown, president of the Fashion Institute of Technology in welcoming guests to the event said: "Before I begin, I want to take a moment to thank our very special elite judges/critics: Calvin Klein, Carolina Herrera, Sergio Guadarrama, Hilton Hollis, Jerry Dellova, Fran Arazi, Sarah Wolf and Shani Grosg. What a source of inspiration you’ve been to our students, money can’t buy that. You’ve guided them and directed them.

Welcome colleagues of SUNY, Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher and SUNY Trustees and our alumni. This is the first fashion show in the country to be presented in 3D. It truly is the future of fashion. We celebrate the work of our very gifted students. We have 40 degree programs, its more than just fashion design, we offer degree programs in areas from cosmetic marketing to toys design. Our signature is fashion design, but when people think of fashion education they think FIT. Today you’ll see over 100 creations, the work of our wonderful design students. Thank you for joining us on this very happy occasion. It gives me great pleasure to say - Let the show begin!"

The misc-en-scene opened with student Katelyn Bischof’s award winning cotton nude and cranberry cocktail dress featuring an interesting pleated `half skirt’ overlay and a beaded floral applique. This dress garnered her A Critic’s Award. Anna Cleveland strutted onto the U shaped catwalk in a fuchsia and silver low back gown by designer Monica Cordoba and beautiful Sudanese model Nykhor modeled a dramatic black silk-wool petal hem coat over a white gazer cocktail dress by designer Liudmila Unbina, which won the Calvin Klein Critic’s Award.

The most adorable kid models stole the show when they pranced into the catwalk in colorful, well made children’s garments.

Menswear showcased a defined futuristic flavor: a black wool jersey long sleeved draped shirt teamed with black cotton twill trousers designed by Jose Halpenny-Nguyen was a sure hit. Paulina Petkoski’s poppy and brick oversized anorak over nude sequin crop top and leather pants also made eyes pop. Two sections of intimate apparel made Victoria’s Secret look quite passe’. There were sure winners in this segment like Margaret Bacon’s Critic Award winning navy mesh, tulle and lace bra, worn with a high waist panty and, a long black tulle robe with bow appliques. Nicole Wilson’s cream and silver bustier & bodysuit featuring French blue lace under a long sheer skirt was magical.

For special occasions, the graduating students went all out with a return to glamor. Soft chiffons and tulle flowed with Alencon lace and beading made for dramatic entrance makers and memorable exits, flooded the catwalk. Model Tia Shipman worked designer Michelle Stokes’ banquet weave bodice silk plum chiffon gown and Schuler Grant presented a Brick colored cashmere mermaid gown with `build out hips.’ Anna Cleveland closed out the show wearing a strapless Ivory organza gown festooned with floating flowers designed by Amy Azizo.

Caribbean Fashion Icon Honored

By Walter Greene

KINGSLEY COOPER, Jamaican born attorney whose vision, foresight, tenacity and talent placed him on the top of the Caribbean fashion roster was honored in New York last week as Irie Jam celebrated `Caribbean Fashion Rocks’ at the Latin Quarter nightclub in mid-Manhattan. The cold and rainy weather did not stop the hundreds who turned out to salute Mr Cooper who is the visionary and brainchild of Caribbean Fashion Week, now in it’s 10th year.

Kingsley is the founder and Chairman of Pulse Investments Ltd., the Jamaican based conglomerate that houses the top modeling and talent agency in the Caribbean. For some 30 years Pulse has been at the forefront of Caribbean fashion. Pulse has molded the careers of some of the world’s top models including: Carla Campbell, the first model from the Caribbean to appear in Sports Illustrated. She also counts Victoria’s Secret, L’Oreal, Nike, Puma, Maxim and Esquire among her credits; Jaunel Mc Kenzie 11 time Vogue model and runway and editorial star with big names like the Gap, Macy’s, H&M, Nordstrom, The New York Times, Alexander McQueen, Valentino and Armani under her belt; Nell Robinson: a GQ Cover Girl with exclusive features in Arena, Vogue and Cosmopolitan among them; Nadine Willis the first black model to lead a Gucci campaign; Jeneil Williams the hottest new `breakthrough’ black girl with Italian Vogue, the cover of LOVE Magazine, French GQ, Trace and a host of editorials to her credit; Gaye Mc Donald has done Vogue, Cartier, M.A.C., Benetton, Lanvin Marie Claire and numerous runway stints; Oraine Barrett, a Ralph Lauren star model leads the way for the males. The Pulse success stories go on and on: Nicole Gray, Kimanee Wilson, Sunna Gottshalk, Candice McCalla, Hector Lincoln, Kimberly Mais, Khalil Marks and Olivia Mekel are among the numerous Pulse star models.

Caribbean Fashion Week has also attracted designers from as far as Nigeria, Romania, London, USA and India. Over 50 designers from the Caribbean region, including Guyana and Suriname showcase at CFW. The world of entertainment is also making its mark at this yearly event. Singer Kelly Rowland, rapper/actress Eve and Hollywood actress Nia Long have participated in Caribbean Fashion Week. It has truly become a catalyst for regional and international development under the guidance of Kingsley Cooper.

Apart from being the Executive Producer of Caribbean Fashion Week, Cooper is the mastermind behind CAFIF (The Caribbean Fashion Industry Forum), the region’s fashion industry association. Much has been accomplished in just two years of it formulation and plans for development are impressive