THE organisers of Caribbean Fashionweek (CFW) have added a new element to this year’s event, The Emerging Designer award.

This prize will be presented to a designer at this year’s staging of CFW set for the National Indoor Sports Centre in St Andrew from June 7-11, by British-born designer Gavin Douglas who is himself the winner of the Prince’s Trust award for Britain’s young designer of the year.

The award is meant to recognise young designers and to enhance the image and reputation of Caribbean designers among the international fashion community. The winner of this award will be chosen from a cadre of new CFW designers who will present at this year’s show. Through Douglas and other UK-based industry players, the winner will have an opportunity to be exposed in that market.

Final selection will be based on criteria to be established by Douglas, in consultation with CFW organisers Pulse and special guest judge and grammy award-winning songstress, Estelle.

Pulse is optimistic that this new award will add significant value to the initiatives being pursued to foster development of the region’s fashion industry.

A list of designers from across the Caribbean including Cedella Marley, daughter of reggae legend Bob Marley, who has been busy designing the Jamaican Olympic team gear for Puma, will debut her new swimwear collection High Tide and designer Tigerlily, whose host of celebrity fans include actress Keira Knightly, will showcase their collections.