TWO young Jamaicans have begun their hunt for fame and fortune, seeking to make it in the world of fashion and modelling under the guidance of local agency Saint International.

The youngsters, Korey Rowe and Venica Cordoza were winners of Saint’s Fashionface of the Caribbean, the annual competition from which some of the agency’s top models have come to walk the runways of the world’s fashion capitals.

Former female winners include Shena Moulton, who Saint CEO Deiwght Peters announced has just snagged the spring summer campaign for designer Marc Jacobs. The competition’s alum also comprises Ashane Rose, Sosheba Griffiths, and Orneila Edwards.

This year, the eastern facade of the historic Devon House formed the backdrop for the competition which saw 16-year-old Cordoza topping the females, and Rowe, a University of the West Indies student, taking the men’s.

The event, which had close to 100 entrants, saw the hopefuls taking to the stage first in tank tops and shorts (for the ladies) and jeans for the gents. A number of them also walked in the style file segment of the show which featured collections form designers including Shades of Africa, HOD, DLook, Spokes Apparel and Neah Lis.

Both groups were reduced to a top ten, then the top three in each category was announced.

Rowe’s runners-up were Essron Woolcock, who place dsecond, and Andre Doyley, third. While the female runners-up were Tishika White, third and Jamal Rochester who placed second.

Speaking to the Observer shortly after, male face, 21-year old Rowe noted that he has always been encouraged by family and friends to go into modelling, but only decided to give it a shot when approached by a scout on the UWI campus.

Words seemed to fail the shy and excited Cordoza, who is a student at the Dunoon Technical High School in the Corporate Area, when asked for her initial reaction. “I am just very happy,” she noted.

The winners were chosen by a panel of judges representing some of the world’s top agencies — Aaron Newbill from IMG, Abby Kingston of Wilhelmina, John Illani of Women Direct and Andre Cowan of Muse Models.

The night’s entertainment value was upped with the staging of the Avant Garde Designer of the Year contest.

This competition has proved popular over the years, with some designers truly showing their creativity with high- fashion pieces.

However, it was clear that former Byron Lee and the Dragonnaires frontwoman turned-designer Ashley Martin would take home the prize.

Her creation, The Shape of Glass, featured a mirrored mosaic, halter mermaid gown, which dazzled the judges and audience alike. The experience was made more the richer thanks to the efforts of model Danielle Bryan.

For her win, Martin pocketed $75,000 courtesy of sponsors Appleton Genesis.