(VIDEO) Islands of the World Fashion Week Bahamas 2009 Overview By The Bahamas Weekly News Team

Nassau, Bahamas - Islands of the World Fashion Week, in its second year was nothing short of stellar in presenting fashions from 'island nations' in a three day event hosted in The Bahamas and organized by Modes Iles.

The event brought participating designers awards in Eco-Fashion and Culture Fashion; as well as Seals of Excellence awards, and the coveted Next Gen award for best upcoming designer. New this year was The Muse Model Search which presented the best male and female model also from island nations.

The Bahamas Weekly brings you this comprehensive overview VIDEO coverage where you will hear from editor of The Bahamas Weekly, Robbin Whachell; Bahamian designer Philicia Ellis; Bahamian designer Kevan Evans; Bahamian designer Sabrina Stirrup; American designer Henry Jackson who has many of his pieces worn by first lady, Michelle Obama and who was the only designer to have a plus-size model, Chanel Clark; cover girl for the Henry Jackson line, Marisa Damallie; Bahamian model Ray Harif aka 'Ray Bay Bay'; supermodel Bobby Roache who modeled as well as judged in The Muse; judge and model Kirk Brown from Barbados who is also a singer with the Strategy Band; Jamaican Heike Wollenwebber of Axes Media; and photographer from The Bahamas Weekly Lyndah Wells.

You will also see the amazing eco-fashion designs of Patrick Lafrontiere. Designs by Spice Box and K-Bobby are also featured and you will hear from K-Bobby's stylist Mauva Gacitua. Bags from Bahamian designer Harl Taylor BAG are seen throughout the show with footwear from Bani Shoes of The Bahamas. You will also meet some hardworking volunteers who assisted at the international event.

The video wraps up at an after-party at The Marley Resort in Nassau where you will hear from the resort's operations manager, Rory Shepherd.

Island of the World fashion Week: Video Coverage

Nassau, Bahamas - Islands of the World Fashion Week in November, 2008, is underway running from 5th – 7th November, 2009 in Nassau and Paradise Island, The Bahamas, once again.
Above is a commentary VIDEO from Night One which included "The Muse" Model Search selection; the Next Generation designer showcase; the Eco-Fashion and Culture Fashion showcase; and the fashions of visiting American Designer, Leanne Marshall. You will also see photos of the after party which was held at The Balmoral Club, and hosted by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.

In this commentary you will hear from editor of The Bahamas Weekly, Robbin Whachell with Lyndah Wells, photographer for The Bahamas Weekly; the president of IWFW, Owen Bethel; The Muse model-search winners, Curaçao native, Giovara Geertriuda, and Bahamas' own Kendrick Kemp; and vice president of IWFW and producer of the show, Thomas Frenez.

Enclosed are photos from Night One taken by photographer Lyndah Wells which included "The Muse" Model Search selection; the Next Generation designer showcase; the Eco-Fashion and Culture Fashion showcase; and the fashions of visiting American Designer, Leanne Marshall. You will also see photos of the after party which was held at The Balmoral Club, and hosted by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. View other PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS HERE.

Stay tuned for more of The Bahamas Weekly's upcoming video productions!

Runway Report Day 1- Islands of The World Fashion Week

All images copyright Lyndah Wells Photography- Permission required to reproduce.


Friday, November 06, 2009

By Lyndah Wells

Thursday November 5th marked the launch of the second edition of Islands of the World Fashion Week (IWFW).
Held in The Sheraton, Cable Beach Nassau, hundreds on fashionistas turned up to watch featured designers, both local & international send their designs down the runway.
The evening started of with the finals of The Model Muse Search Competition and two winners were selected.

Judging the event were fashion veterans Susan Stein, Louis Sarmiento publisher of IMG Fashion DAILY Magazine, modeling industry VIP Wayne Sterling, Bobby Roche and Kirk Brown.
The Female Model of the Year was awarded to Curaçao native, Giovara Geertriuda, who was sincerely humbled by the event.

“I am so honored,” Geertriuda gushed after walking down the runway in a bold orange dress. “There were so many amazing girls here.”

Bahamian Kendrick Kemp snagged the title of Male Model of the Year, standing out as the only male model that took his crisp white jacket off during his walk. Kemp later said that he had been modeling for four years and was now trying to break back into the Bahamian modeling scene.

Both Geertriuda and Kemp will both receive a grand prize of $10,000 in addition to their titles and other prizes.

Guest the settled in and the shows began.
The shows in order of appearance featured were:
NextGen Designers:
phylicia Ellis- Bahamas
Sabrina Sturrup- Bahamas
Kevin Evans - Bahamas
Darcel de Vlugt- Trinidad

Eco-Fashion and cultural fashion designs
Patrick Lafrontiere- French Guyana
Guest designer: Leanne Marshall,

View more of our runway photos here

Island of the World fashion Week: What to Wear By Tyrina Neely

Day to night

Copious amounts of hair and makeup, tall, lanky beauties shimmying around, reams of silk chiffon, cutting and sewing sprinkled with fabulous styling – fashion week is here!

Islands of the World Fashion Week (IWFW) is huge for fashion enthusiasts in the Bahamas, around the Caribbean and other island nations of the world. Voted 'Best Fashion Show or Fashion Week attended' at the Caribbean Fashion Awards earlier this year it is the foremost local fashion week attracting local and international designers as well as international press, buyers and stylists. Though only in its second year – it provides a viable fashion outlet not only for local designers, but for stylists, models, fashion journalists, fashion retailers and a host of other fashion and entertainment professionals.

A welcomed annual event for the fledgling local fashion industry - IWFW will run from November 5th to 7th with the bulk of the shows being held at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort.

This year, instead of shows spread out during the entire day - more shows have been compressed into bite size designer chunks with many of the catwalks scheduled for the late afternoon and evening hours – allowing many more corporate fashionistas to get their fix after work. With shows beginning at either 5pm or 6pm it’s doubtful that you will have a chance to run home and change before the shows.

Therefore, pulling together an outfit that can easily be restyled to take you from corporate chic to front row ready is your goal. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you master the art of day-to-night.

Your base look should be something that can easily be transformed simply by changing your shoes, bag, accessories and makeup. Your best option is either a great double duty dress or a tailored pant suit. It’s the trimmings that will really transform your look.  

Bib Necklaces

Accessories

Changing your jewelry is a surefire way to convert your look. With fun, statement necklaces still all the rage, top off a simple shift dress worn during the day with a dramatic bib necklace for the evening. With a high drama necklace, bare ears or demure studs are best to avoid competing with your statement piece. If you like to have a little shimmer on your hands, opt for an oversized cocktail ring.

Bag

Take that bulky day bag and toss it. A great clutch big enough to fit your cosmetic essentials, keys and cash is all you need. There are some colors that are what I call pseudo-neutrals that are great accent colors and work with many looks. They are not your typical neutral colors such as black, white, gray or brown, but they work with just as many different colors as traditional neutrals do. A metallic pewter clutch is a perfect example of a pseudo-neutral and an easy way to add a little evening element to a daytime look.

Shoes

Every woman’s obsession. Comfort is always at the top of my list when it comes to fashion but this is one occasion where you should forgo the ballet flats and pull out the stilettos. You’ll be sitting for the runway shows, so no need to worry about extended standing in your high heels. Bani Shoe Warehouse is the official shoe supplier for IWFW, outfitting all the models in fashion forward footwear to complete the designer looks. Check out their selection for a pair of killer heels to pull your day to night look together.

Makeup

Keep it simple during the day so you can pump it up for the evening. For daytime, keep eyes bare with a little liner and mascara as eye makeup tends to get cakey after long hours of wear. Remember the basic rule, if you’re going for a strong eye then keep your lips simple and vice versa.

Unless you’re a celebrity, there’s no need for an over-the-top look for fashion week. As a rule of thumb, keep it stylish yet casual. If you try too hard it will show and you’ll end up sticking out like a sore thumb.

Stay true to your style aesthetic. If you’re a simple jeans and T girl with a love of fashion then step it up a notch. A tailored pant with a funky v-neck T-shirt and a great blazer and long layered necklaces is a great combination of dressed up pieces combined with casual pieces for a look that’s pulled together, stylish yet simple.

Tyrina Neely

Tyrina Talks Fashion is your weekly serving of fashion forecasting, trend reporting, figure analysis and helpful fashion tips and tricks. Email Tyrina with your fashion questions and photos at tyrinaalicia@hotmail.com.