Caribbean Fashion Week in its decade of existence has made the region not only one to watch but has positioned both its designers and models as major players. Fact is, many have sat up, taken keen note, watched and, dare we suggest, taken inspiration. It seems like only yesterday that we gathered with much apprehension in the ballroom of the Hilton Kingston for the Caribbean’s first Fashionweek. We collectively held our breath, barely daring to exhale… Kingsley Cooper not only pulled it off then, but never looked back. Who better to lead off our SO CFW flashback than Pulse CEO Kingsley Cooper?

Style Observer (SO): What stands out for you from the inaugural staging of Caribbean Fashion Week in 2001?

Kingsley Cooper (KC): The feeling of accomplishment; the satisfaction that came from the fact that we had made it happen. There was a CFW. It was really a challenge getting all the people we needed to believe. There were no commercial sponsorship revenues, no ticket sales and no precedent, so we had to convince a lot of people to come on board.

A big thrill was pulling the region together. Interestingly, after the University of the West Indies and West Indies cricket, CFW was the third Caribbean institution.

I also recall the fashion show on the 100-ft runway in the rain at Villa Ronai. The rain did not stop the collection and the experience was absolutely magical.

Another important fact was that the event was held in Kingston, although our tourism interests wanted it staged on the North Coast. I believed then, and still believe now, that Kingston, the Caribbean’s creative capital and business centre, is the right place for the event.

SO: Looking back now, how important was that first event in shaping the role the Caribbean region now plays in the fashion-design industry?

KC: If we consider the regional fashion landscape in 2001 and compare it to what it is now, the difference is amazing. Now there are fashion weeks and weekends in several Caribbean islands, including Trinidad, St Kitts, The Bahamas, Guyana and Barbados. All of that has come out of CFW, which was the first in name and concept. Before CFW we had the fashion show, an evening of style and elegance. Now we have a week of designer collections from around the world, major international press, celebrities, entertainers, after-parties, business forums, buyer matchmaking, etc.

CFW has certainly elevated Caribbean fashion to a place unknown prior to its inception. It has also encouraged business development, built capacity and set the course for Caribbean fashion to take its place in the world.

SO: Who were some of the notable figures that played a part in the staging of the first Caribbean Fashion Week?

KC: Christine Dinham played a key role as creative director, picking the NY style team. Trinis Heather Jones and Claudia Pegus were key designers participating in the very first event. Kimberley Mais and Lois Samuels were hosts of our first CFW TV series. Romae Gordon walked the runway for Claudia and French designer Corrine Baesberg. Cedella Marley’s Catch A Fire, Mutamba and Moncrieffe were standouts. We can’t forget our friends at Jampro, The European Union, the Jamaica Tourist Board, Air Jamaica and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, without whose help there might not have been a CFW.