A strong contingent of Haitian fashion designers, artists and industry experts will head to Jamaica next month for Caribbean Fashionweek 2010.

Led by the Dominican Republic-based Caribbean Export special services director, Tonika Sealy, the group will be in attendance at the special Haiti Art and Fashion Project Benefit hosted by the Pulse Foundation on Thursday June 10. Haitian pop artiste Katia Cadet is scheduled to perform.

Caribbean Fashionweek (CFW) takes place at the National Indoor Sports Centre and other venues June 8-14. The Haiti Benefit Night at CFW will feature performances as well as designer collections and the proceeds from the evening will go towards assisting the rehabilitation of that nation’s arts and fashion industry.

The response from music and fashion industry insiders has been positive. The Canada-based Katia Cadet was eager to get on board for this effort, spearheaded by her fellow Caribbean professionals. Cadet is a grammy-nominated Haitian singer/songwriter. Her credits include music she wrote for Mary J Blige and Wyclef Jean, which earned her a Grammy nomination in 2001 for the song, 911. Her debut album was released in February and she has written a song dedicated to Haiti and its recent events.

“I always thought that as I pursue my career, I would use my voice for people of Haiti,” said the artiste.

For his part, designer David Andre, Haiti’s number one home-based designer, showing on Caribbean Fashionweek is a dream come true. CFW’s 10th anniversary along with a night dedicated to Haiti is the perfect opportunity for him to show his debut CFW collection. Andre, who has shown collections in Toronto and the Dominican Republic, will be the second Haitian designer to appear at CFW, the first being Joelle Jean Fontaine who presented in 2005.

A record number of designers from across the Caribbean and the world will travel to Jamaica for the 10th Anniversary of Caribbean Fashionweek. Celebrities, major international star performances, an exhibition, business development, buyer matchmaking, after-parties and a number of special events will all be a part of this year’s renewal of the region’s biggest fashion event.