NEW YORK — Kingsley Cooper, the man credited with pioneering the billion-dollar Pulse Investments Ltd in Jamaica and launching the careers of several international models, including Vogue and Gucci models Nadine Willis, Jaunel McKenzie, Gaye McDonald, Jeneil Williams, as well as Sports Illustrated swimsuit model & Esquire cover girl Carla Campbell, will be honoured at a ceremony in New York next month.

Cooper will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to the fashion industry at New York’s signature Caribbean fashion event — Caribbean Fashion Rocks! — on Sunday, April 25.

The event, which is held annually by Social Eyes Entertainment Inc and New York-based Irie Jam Media, celebrates its third anniversary this year Manhattan, New York.

“It is always a pleasure to have one’s work recognised,” a beaming Cooper said from his office in Kingston. “It is especially an honour when the recognition comes from my own Caribbean people, especially in the wider Diaspora, which is what this award in New York represents. I look forward to being there and want to thank Irie Jam Media for their kind consideration,” Cooper said.

According to Bobby Clarke, president of Irie Jam Media, “Kingsley is a pioneer who single-handedly developed the Jamaican fashion industry. Caribbean FashionWeek, which he launched in 2001, is a professional fashion event in Jamaica with a record of fashion discoveries and great influence on the whole market.”

An attorney-at-law by training, Cooper has effected a number of innovations and firsts for Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. These included the Caribbean Model Search, an international modelling agency, Caribbean FashionWeek, the Superjam concert series, the lifestyle television programme Caribbean Fashion Weekly and the region’s new fashion reality TV show The Search for the Caribbean’s Next Supermodel.

Cooper also pioneered, defined and developed an international modelling industry for the Caribbean, in the process discovering and developing supermodels and other international stars. Under his direction, Pulse has provided an international platform for the marketing of the region’s designers through the Caribbean Fashion Collections staged within the region and in major US cities. In 1989 Pulse was asked to host the Jamaica preliminary to Miss Universe. The organisation went on to post an outstanding record, producing four top 10 finalists (Sandra Foster, Kimberley Mais, Nicole Haughton and Christine Straw) at the international pageant.

Pulse has also brought many stars of film, fashion and beauty to Jamaica, including Roshumba, Tyra Banks, Gail O’Neil, Mounia, Tyson Beckford, Erin Cosby, Ade Wale, and Miss Universe winners Michelle McLean, Chelsi Smith, Wendy Fitz-William and Mpule Kwelagobe. Pulse models have been signed to international TV contracts (Rachel Stuart, BET), won the Miss World competition (Lisa Hanna) and appeared on the cover of Vogue (Lois Samuels).

Expectations are high for Caribbean Fashion Rocks 2010. Organisers are anticipating another impressive turnout and are working hard to create an international runway show in line with Couture Fashion Week in New York, the São Paulo Fashion Week in Brazil and Paris Fashion Week in France.

The competition among local designers is dedicated to inspiring creativity and confidence and showcasing the talents and visions of newcomers in the NY fashion community.

Caribbean Fashion Rocks will be hosted by DJ Roy (Irie Jam Radio) with music by Dubb Master Chris, Road International and DJ Cali B.