The Tribune

PLANS for the sixth edition of the award-winning Islands of the World Fashion Showcase are in high gear, and fashion lovers everywhere are being encouraged to visit the Bahamas for this highly anticipated event.

Visitors have two options – they can either cruise in on board Norwegian’s The Sky cruise liner, or simply take a flight over to experience what organisers are describing as “a mosaic of fashion, culture and art”.

The showcase will feature designers who originate from island nations around the world as well as those from countries such as France, Nigeria, and the United States.

This year’s event promises to be yet another awe-inspiring production, as it marks a milestone in the vision of its founders with the creation of a collection under the proprietary label “ExÎles”, a cooperative design concept inviting designers to create ready-to-wear resort and active wear under the brand name.

The showcase, from its inception in 2008, has had the endorsement of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for its promotion of cultural diversity and as a means to bring value-added levels of production to the fledgling fashion industries in developing nations, particularly more vulnerable small island developing states.

The intent is to draw attention via international media and trade exposure to the skills and creativity across the spectrum of the fashion industry in the islands. To date, in excess of 130 designers representing 40 countries have presented their creations on the catwalks of Islands of the World Fashion Showcase.

To add to the excitement of this year’s production, the organisers were approached by an agency, Queendom Ink, out of Atlanta, Georgia, with the idea of linking the showcase with the launch of their event, “Miami Fashion Cruise - Fashion on the Sea”.

A select group of participants in the cruise, originating in Miami and docking in Nassau harbour on the morning of Saturday, November 8, will experience a special segment of Islands of the World Fashion Showcase under the Fashion Pavilion on the grounds of the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas. Cruise passengers will enjoy an afternoon of high fashion from several designers and experience a taste of Bahamian culture and entertainment before boarding the cruise ship again for the continuation of their journey.

The closing runway show on November 8 will feature the spectacle of “Arte y Moda” from Cuba, where guests will experience the unique fusion of fashion, art and music in a manner never witnessed before, organisers said. Some 26 designers get their inspiration from different pieces of art and create designs which convey a powerful story and set to music which transforms the model from a mannequin into a dancer.

For more information and updates, visit the website www.islandsfashionweek.com, or the Facebook page www.facebook.com/islandsfashionweek. For information about the Miami Fashion Cruise – Fashion on the Sea, visit the website www.miamifashioncruise.com.