CAMPARI’s 2018 edition of their Pop Style party series was launched to much fanfare at their headquarters, @TwentyThree Bar, in New Kingston last Tuesday.

“Campari Pop Style is back for 2018 with an exciting line-up of parties that marries together two aspects of Jamaican culture — partying and fashion. Jamaican people love showing their individuality through style, and Campari is ready to award the most stylish party goers across the island,” said Alison Moss-Solomon, brand communications manager at J Wray & Nephew.

First brought to life in 2017, Campari Pop Style is a blend of partying and fashion. For this year the formula has been tweaked a bit, but the coer remains the same. Beginning on October 6, Pop Style, hosted by radio personality Miss Kitty, will cross the island with three events, which will culminate in a fourth at a yet-to-be-determined Kingston venue on December 1. At each event a male and female winner will be chosen by a set of rotating judges, including Tony Krash, Desha Ravers and Shanzi Allen. The prize pot from the first three Pop Style parties will offer $100,000 for each winner. The finale ups the ante as all eight finalists will vie for the $250,000 grand prize. Alison Moss-Solomon added there would also be wild cards thrown into the mix at the finale.

“A lot of persons have asked for guidelines in terms of what to wear, [but] the truth is that we are looking for persons to just be themselves and come out. Style is something that is subjective. You don’t necessarily have to come in gowns and suits, and you don’t absolutely wear red,” she said.

Her words were reiterated by Tony Krash, the 2017 Campari Pop Style male winner. As a wild card last year, Krash took home a prize purse of $250,000.

“It’s very important to Pop Style. I think I might have missed the mark a little bit, even though I won, considering what they’re talking about this year; so come out and do you best,” he said.

Kristia Franklin, 2017 Campari Pop Style female winner, also weighed in on the topic of what it takes to win.

“Just do it. At first I was pretty nervous about going out there like that, but I just did it,” she said.

The media representatives on hand were offered a taste of Pop Style with a friendly fashion competition.