KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) –Jamaica’s participation in the International Fashion Showcase (IFS) in London was formally launched on Wednesday at a glittering reception and fashion show held at the Jamaican High Commission.

Entitled ‘Threadbare’, and featuring the works of five Jamaican designers, Jamaica’s participation will include a static exhibition at Dover Street in the heart of the fashionable Mayfair area of London, which will run until February 18. 

The designers and the management team from the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), including Chief Executive Officer, Valerie Veira and Consultant Marie Casserly, will also host and participate in a series of workshops and seminars.  

The Jamaican designers taking part in the international showcase are Dexter Huxtable of Spokes Apparel; Claire Requa of Clairely Upcycled Jewellery; Ayanna Dixon of ASD Clothing; Simone Nielson of Ms. Sim; and Abenah Gonzalez of Abenah Adelaide Designs.

Jamaica’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK) Aloun Ndombet-Assamba, who officially launched the event, said the country’s participation in the IFS provides a wonderful platform to promote ‘Brand Jamaica’.

“It will highlight another area in which our country can excel and meet high international standards. The five talented Jamaican designers, who are here to be part of this international event, will have the opportunity to not only reach a global audience and to also network with their peers from Europe and across the world,” she said. 

She said the event will also be a great opportunity for technocrats in the Jamaican creative industry “to see… the potential for trade and investment that can come from the sector.” 

High Commissioner Assamba said the Government of Jamaica has identified the creative industries as a focus area and its support of the team that is in London is a sign of its commitment to the sector.