PULSE Investments Limited, organisers of the fashion and lifestyle event, Caribbean Fashionweek (CFW), recently launched its 10th anniversary celebrations at Studio 38 in Kingston. In a well-attended affair including diplomats, government officials, sponsors, business executives, fashion designers, models and press, Pulse celebrated the joint milestone anniversaries for CFW and its 31st years of operations.

Addressing the launch, CEO Kingsley Cooper expressed enthusiasm for Pulse’s pioneering role in the development and success of Caribbean Fashionweek, as well as its function as a major catalyst for growth in the regional fashion industry. Cooper also used the opportunity at the forum to announce the company’s newest creative industry initiative — The Haiti Art and Fashion Project.

The Haiti Art and Fashion Project, spearheaded by the Pulse Foundation with the support of CFW, The Caribbean Fashion Industry Association (CAFIA) and participating art, music and fashion industry entities in the region, will support the rehabilitation and further development of Haiti’s creative arts, fashion and business industries.

“Haiti’s art, fashion, craft, music and other creative products are among the best in the world and are mainstays of the income of many everyday Haitians,” said Cooper, adding that as a result of the devastating earthquake, Haiti’s creative business has been badly hit.

The Haiti Art & Fashion Project, he explained, is intended to give these creative businesses support in their reconstruction, and further development.

As a Caribbean-based and organised initiative, the project will focus on medium-to long-term reconstruction and development of Haiti’s creative arts and business sector and will be managed by the Pulse Foundation headed by Jamaican entrepreneur, artist and Honorary Consular to Lithuania, Lois Lake Sherwood. Sherwood, who is of Haitian and Jamaican descent, has chaired the Pulse Foundation since its inception six years ago and will work alongside the Board of Trustees, which is expected to include representatives of the Haitian government as well as members of its creative industries. Supporting her will be the CAFIA, a body of regional entities.

Confirming their support while participating in the launch were the minister of culture, youth and sports, Olivia Grange; Jamaica Trade and Invest President Sancia Bennett-Templer and Haitian national and Board of Trustees member Myrtle Desulme.

Caribbean Fashionweek, will make the Haiti Art and Fashion Project a key aspect of the event going forward and have pledged 100 per cent of the proceeds of one night of shows and activities towards the project.

The tenth renewal of CFW will be staged June 8-14 in Kingston.