The Tribune

The much anticipated return of Islands of the World Fashion Showcase (IWFS) is just over one month away and the organizers are extremely excited about the event. The newly rebranded showcase is set to take place May 11-12, 2012 at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort.

After a one-year hiatus, IWFS is ready to re-launch to the public, international press and fashion trade with an opening act that will arguably rival the Victoria Secret Fashion Show and highlight local musical talent.

Ten designers representing five countries will take part in the Showcase's May edition. They include: Chelsea Johnson, Courtney McIntosh, David Rolle, Harl Taylor Bag, Latoya Hanna-Moxey and Theo Sealy all hailing from The Bahamas, Carol Fraser representing Guyana, Sharleen Logan from St. Lucia, Kimon Baptiste of St. Vincent and The Grenadines and Darcel de Vlugt from Trinidad and Tobago.

The showcase will also highlight the designs of the participants of the newly created Jackson Burnside III Fashion & Design presentation.

Indira Moss, IWFS production manager said she is excited about the showcase and hopes to bring attention to the event streamlining itself with the 'global fashion clock'.

"It's our hope to take IWFS to the next level in fashion and the first step is to align the showcase with the industry itself," she said. "By hosting two shows each year it gives designers the opportunity to get their designs and products on the market in a timely fashion. By putting the show on this track, we are ensuring that each designer will get the maximum exposure they need to properly produce for a potentially wider market."

Riding off a successful 2010 season, which was aired in a 30-minute segment in Florida, New York and the Caribbean, the newly rebranded event is poised to widen its international market with a one-hour television show to be aired in August on international networks throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Australia. This expansion comes courtesy of a newly formed collaboration of IWFS with Creative Entertainment Management (CEM) out of Los Angeles, California.

"I am confident that this will help thrust IWFS to where it needs to be - in competitive range with larger shows," said Moss.

Though the showcase itself will take place on May 11, fashion gurus and fashionistas alike can participate in events leading up to the show.

On May 9, bowling shoes will be the order of the evening as IWFS executives will face-off against designers, models, fashionistas and local bowling leagues in the Bowling in Fashion, extravaganza to be held at Mario's Bowling and Entertainment Palace.

The organisers will formally introduce this season's participants to the general public at the official welcome reception at Hillside House on May 10. Aptly titled 'A Toast to Fashion,' the newly renovated studio of renowned artist, Antonius Roberts, will play a major role in the ongoing promotion of the burgeoning Bahamian fashion industry.

Closing out the showcase will be a VIP dinner and reception on May 12.