SAINT International head honcho Deiwght Peters is promising high-octane glamour and celebrity guest models at this Saturday’s staging of Touch of France’s designer collections.

“We are raring to go with five absolutely fantastic designers representing France and Jamaica,” Peters told Our Today during a break from directing runway rehearsals at the AC Kingston Hotel, the venue for the biennial event last held in November 2022. 

“The French collection will be presented by Elliete LeSuperbe from Martinique and we have a powerful contingent of Jamaican designers, including SAINT model-turned-in-demand designer Kadian Nicely. There are also newcomers to the SAINT roster of designers  — Orlando Sylvister Samuels and Mantel, a British-Jamaican who recently returned home to expand her fashion business,” he divulged.

Womenswear designer Tamia Carey fills the remaining slot of local brands on the show’s line-up. Her fashion segment is set to send renowned names sashaying the catwalk.

For Peters, his modelling agency’s now 24-year run with Touch of France is an inflection point of a beautiful journey.

“SAINT has been a committed, active partner from the inception of TOF when SAINT was just starting out. I remember the phone call from Pierre Lemaire, the TOF conceptualiser. He had heard about the start-up model agency with cool models and big ambitions. It was a no-brainer to jump on board as I felt his passion and saw the strategic fit for SAINT in the long term,” Peters recalled.

Lemaire, the head cook and bottle washer of the three-day cross-cultural exposition, is likewise very pleased with the two-decade-plus evolution of the partnership.

“The relationship with Dewight and Saint has been great from the first TOF in 2000. For me, the most important things in the relationship are the sincere friendship and the creative energy,” Lemaire told Our Today.

Speaking further, Lemaire outlined the mission of the Touch of France exposition, which runs from November 7 to 9 at the AC Hotel. It is a joint undertaking by the French Embassy, Alliance Française and Club France.

“The most important thing is to share French and Jamaican cultures, including arts, business, fashion, music  — everything contributing to the culture of a country — and it’s open to the public at large, that’s why all its components are free,” the expo ideator explained.

With 30 established SAINT stars and fresh faces on the  runway call-sheet for this evening’s fashion spectacular, Peters harkened back to his charges’ tremendous successes a month ago at Paris Fashion Week.

“Paris was another blockbuster and truly history-making. The season of stellar runway achievements further demonstrates and cements SAINT’s position as the lead model management in Jamaica and the Caribbean,” he boasted.

Newcomer Sanique Dill made a world-exclusive debut for Miu Miu. Jessie Craig debuted for Valentino and was the show’s closing model look, subsequently walking for both Miu Miu and Coperni.

“Kai Newman walked exclusively for Chanel, Breana Carson stepped out for Alain Paul, while Dru Campbell rocked for Dior, Louis Vuitton, Paco Rabanne, Loewe, and others,” Peters shared of the multiplicity of Parisian catwalk exploits.

Peters informed Our Today that the long association with French Embassy and Lemaire continues to reap dividends.

“It has resulted in augmented business relationships for SAINT with French designers, models and promoters in Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana,” he shared.

Meanwhile, French Ambassador to Jamaica Olivier Guyonvarch told Our Today, “TOF is a window opening to France which we offer to our Jamaican friends. We wish to share the best of French culture, cuisine, and showcase some prominent French companies in Jamaica.

“This year we organised a special focus on education, with a French specialist coming from Paris to present studying opportunities in France. At some booths, patrons will also be able to buy Christmas presents, such as perfume, cosmetics,” the diplomat explained.