SEASON five of reality TV show Mission Catwalk hits the local screen on Saturday, September 26, at 8:30 pm with an all-star cast as 12 of the show’s alumni return to vie for a prize package worth $5,000,000.

There’ll be a focus on the business side of fashion design. This was revealed at the show’s media launch on September 7, at @twentythree, Dominica Drive, New Kingston.

“We have a new mentor this season in Mercedes Gonzalez,” Keneea Linton-George, executive producer — Mission Catwalk told the Jamaica Observer.

As president of Global Purchasing Companies in New York, Gonzalez brings serious clout to advancing the career of the potential winner as she represents over 80 boutiques across the United States. She also has hands-on experience in every facet of the industry, from manufacturing to marketing. According to Linton-George, the primary role of Gonzalez is to move the designers on the show into a selling strategy.

Dubbed Mission Catwalk: All-Stars, the programme brings back Alexis Campbell — Barbados; Andre Shirley — Jamaica; Ayanna Dixon — Jamaica, Carl Swaby — Jamaica; Carla Gittens — Barbados; David Rolle — The Bahamas; Kesia Estwick — Barbados; Machel Sandy — Trinidad & Tobago; Rebecca Stirm — Belize; Renardo Lloyd — Jamaica; Ryan Chan — Trinidad & Tobago and Shenna Carby — Jamaica.

“These are the 12 most talented and memorable designers from the previous season,” Linton-George said.

She also added that it wasn’t hard to reconnect with the previous contestants to persuade them to return, as over its four seasons it has become a family affair.

“We stay in contact via social media,” she said.

The format of the show remains unchanged and will follow the designers as they try their best to win the design challenge as adjudicated by Linton-George, Novia McDonald-Whyte, Carlton Brown and a fourth guest judge. Included guest judges for this season are Miss World 1976 Cindy Breakspeare and Campari’s Sophia Bernard-Fairman.

— Rory Daley