SAINT International’s Fashion Face of the Caribbean and the Jamaica Avant Garde Designer of the Year competitions are set to take place at the AC Hotel in Kingston on Saturday, June 1, 2024.

Twenty-four designers will compete for the Avant Garde title and several established womenswear and menswear designers will showcase collections for a Style File segment including Kadian Nicely, Sylvister, Pebbles, Heather Laine, and Andre Shirley.

The evening’s entertainment package will feature live performances by recording artistes D’Angel, Tifa and J Calm.

SAINT founder and CEO Deiwght Peters says the class of 2024 model aspirants holds much promise.

Leading up to the event, contestants vying in the year’s SAINT Fashion Face of the Caribbean competition were in high spirits as they sharpened their model struts at the final training session for the event last Sunday, May 26.

21-year-old Lewis McKinson says throughout the training he has learned how to properly posture his body and walk with confidence.

“I also learnt how to hold eye contact and carry myself in a certain way that others would think highly of me,” he added.

McKinson is currently a second-year student at the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Music Degree with a major in drums. He holds Jamaican and British citizenship and was initially scouted on Instagram by Peters.

“I have been told often by people that I have the look, so I wanted to test my luck. I am over the moon to be in this development phase, and I hope it goes well.”

21-year-old Shahine Parrish says her experience being part of the training has been enlightening.

She said, “I was scouted twice by SAINT, first at Oberlin High when I was 17 and then COVID came, and everything got mixed up. I was scouted again at Jose Marti Technical High School when I was 19. I have learnt so much and my confidence has grown drastically. I have seen development and I’m very proud of that.”

Parrish is currently a first year at Shortwood Teacher’s College where she is studying English Language and Literature.

14-year-old and six-foot-three-inch tall Charlie Smith High student Ajani Dandy, saw the SAINT contest as his chance to journey beyond his island home.

He said, “I wanted to try out modelling because it seemed fun. I play football and I like to try out new things, I have been in the training program for two months and it’s taught us how to behave in public and have good deportment. I see an opportunity in modelling, and you can go overseas and be scouted by international agencies to work.” 

Other contestants find interest in the creative side of the fashion industry.

“I love taking pictures, and the process of a photoshoot,” says Excelsior Community College student Ivornesha Henry, a first-year nursing major. “We are like a family, and I have learnt to always be the best version of myself and maintain a positive attitude.”