Saint’s Touch of France returns Saturday
AFTER a three-year hiatus due to the restrictions caused by the novel coronavirus, Saint International will stage its first major fashion event this Saturday.
The model agency has teamed, once again, with The Embassy of France, The Alliance Francaise, Club France, and the AC Hotel for the staging of La Hot Couture: The glamorous finale of Touch of France 2022.
The fashion show is slated for the Tropical Oasis Driveway at the AC Hotel by Marriott in New Kingston.
Deiwight Peters is CEO of Saint International.
“This event is extra special because it represents rekindling the relationship with important partners and collaborators as in the Embassy of France, The Alliance Francaise, and Club France. This relationship is 22 years. We were planning to celebrate two decades of creative cultural partnership in 2020 but then COVID cancelled those plans. The Touch of France is a special trade exhibition that highlights the culture of France. Paris, France is one of the biggest markets for Saint models. In fact, Saint is the biggest French fashion client collaborator in the English-speaking Caribbean. Balmain, Balenciaga, Chanel, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Celine, Givenchy, Valentino, Miu Miu, Loewe, and Nina Ricci are all top French labels that have worked with Saint models. Makes for an enviable list of top fashion brands. The importance of this collaboration cannot be over-emphasised,” Peters disclosed.
He said the decision to have the event at this time was ideal.
“The timing was ideal. The global fashion market has reopened. Saint has now experienced two successful seasons in Paris and Milan. Now it’s time to celebrate with our supporters, well-wishers, friends and business family by staging this glamorous event. It sends the signal that we are coming even bigger and better for 2023,” said Peters.
He said the event will be a unique one.
“The venue makes the event a show-stopper. The lush, tropical-themed garden driveway of the AC Hotel will frame the runway which will be another first by Saint. Our fans and partners are excitedly anticipating this show to see how the runway will be executed in this unique setting,” he said.
He shared an insight into who the designers are, who will be on show.
“We are featuring a special French collection by Elliette Lesuperbe from Guadeloupe, other collections by Elan/Heather Laine, a curated menswear segment by stylist Sophia Max Brown of high-fashion retailer MAXBROWN fame and a special presentation by the Edna Manley College [of the Visual and Performing Arts],” said Peters.
Saint International models, who have blazed their own enviable trail over the years as well as some of the agency’s newest faces, will grace the runway.
“Wales Bonner will be appearing. Global superstar and the current international advertising front face of Prada Kai Newman is on her way from Europe to make a cameo runway appearance too. It will be a special celebration,” Peters shared.
There will also be guest models from the political, entertainment and business communities.
Saint International was launched in 2000 and by 2005, the agency was featured by V magazine as the only Caribbean model agency among the top agencies in the world.
The agency has successfully staged fashion events including Fashion Block, Fashion Face of the Caribbean, Style Week Jamaica, The International Mecca of Style and Posh in Black and the Jamaica Avant Garde Designer of the Year awards, among others.
The agency is credited for discovering and successfully launching the career of top models including Tami Williams, Kai Newman, Brad Allen, Naki Depass, Jannel Duncan, Brandon Bailey, Shena Moulton, Cloe Luton, Kibwe McGann, Nekeisha Robinson, Maurice Lawrence, Canise Jackson, and Doren Bailey.