FESTIVAL Fashion Flair, an event showcasing the designs and trends for the Independence season, is scheduled for National Arena in St Andrew this evening.

The event, which is free to the public, is slated to start at 8:00 pm. This year’s theme is ‘Wear Di Vibes… It’s Jamaica 55’.

Stephen Davidson, director of marketing and public relations at the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, is encouraging everyone to come out to this fun-filled, family event.

“Festival Fashion is at the heart of the Jamaica Independence celebrations. Jamaicans take pride in getting dressed up and going out, and the annual Festival Fashion show puts the best of festival fashion on display. We invite everyone to come out and enjoy the fashion and be inspired by fresh ideas, which they can take back to their tailors and dressmakers in time for Independence Day. The event is completely free and we encourage the public to come out in droves,” he said.

Davidson said the pieces to be showcased will surround the Festival Fashion theme and incorporate the colours: red, gold, emerald and black.

“Black is resilient, strong and proud, while emerald represents our nurturing nature, natural beauty, and the ‘groundedness’ of the Jamaican people. Gold speaks to our successes and the fact that we are winners and champions of the world, while red speaks of our creativity, our ’nuff and plenty’ nature and our liveliness as a people,” said Davidson.

Festival Fashion Flair will feature pieces from designers: Courtney Washington, Uzuri International, House of Fennell, Earl Williams, Mutamba, Juliet Richards, Shades of Africa (by Tanya Cameron), Minka, Andrea Lindo, Indigo Caftans (by Paula Hurlock), Mushroom Swimwear, M and M Hats, and Carby’s Souvenir Discount Centre and Craft Village.

The fashion show will also feature the 2017 finalists of the Miss Jamaica Universe competition modelling swimwear, as well as guest performances from the Tivoli Dance Troupe and the 2016 Jamaica Gospel Song Competition winner, Marsha Jarrett.