Fashion guru Terry Donovan named as Production Director for the 2nd Annual Virgin Islands Fashion Week

Fashion guru Terry Donovan named as Production Director for the 2nd Annual Virgin Islands Fashion Week

St. Thomas, VI ( October 1st, 2008) - Virgin Islands Fashion Week Organization is pleased to announce that Terry Donovan, International Fashion Event Producer, Style Expert and Fashion Writer will be the Production Director of the 2nd Annual Fashion Event which will be held on St. Thomas from October 9 to13. The fashion celebration will begin on Thursday Oct 9 with a VIP Welcome Reception (Invitation only), Saturday, Oct 11, Caribbean Magic Tradeshow at the Tutu Park Mall, Sunday October 12, Caribbean Catwalk Fashion Show at Wyndham Sugar Bay in and on Monday October 13 (Columbus Day) A White Affair Beach Party and Swimsuit Fashion Show at Brewer’s Bay.
Virgin Islands Fashion Week is co-founded and directed by young entrepreneurs Vern Tonge and Henry R. Marsham Jr. The main goal of Virgin Islands Fashion Week is to promote the creative talents of individuals within the Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean while promoting Fashion Tourism within the sub-region. Only two years old, Virgin Islands Fashion Week has already made its mark within the regional fashion industry having received the People’s Choice Award for Best Fashion Show/Week in the Caribbean at the 2008 Caribbean Fashion Awards in Trinidad this past April.

Organizers of the event, says that they are very pleased with the impact VIFW has had within the Caribbean and look forward to producing bigger and better shows as the years progress. ‘ We are very excited to have Terry Donovan as the Production Director for VIFW 2008”, says Vern Tonge “ I have had the pleasure of working with Terry and seeing him work on other events much like this and I am confident that he will do what he does best – produce a fantastic event”.

Terry Donovan, a native of Tortola, British Virgin Islands and currently resides in New York City, is known for the gala events he produced in the British Virgin Islands, including the Miss World British Virgin Islands Pageant. Mr. Donovan is accredited member of Seventh on Sixth, IMG Management Corporation, which produces New York City Fashion Week, Los Angeles Fashion Week and Miami Fashion Week. He was the Co-Producer for the Caribbean Fashion Week in Jamaica, produced fashion shows for Calvin Klein, Tracy Reese, Tommy Hilfiger and many other fashion designers. In 1999, he formed his company “Signature by Terry Donovan” which has produced photo shoots for Essence Magazine, Details Magazine, Women’s Wear Daily Magazine to name a few. “It is not easy breaking into the world of fashion, it takes perseverance and passion and I don’t think most people understand what goes into producing an event. I have learned that there is a lot more to the fashion, than the glamour and the fantasy created around it. The line that Heidi Klum, Host on “Project Runway” says is so true, because “one day you are in and the other you are out”, says Mr. Donovan. “I am grateful for the opportunities and I thank God everyday”, added Mr. Donovan.

Most recently, Mr. Donovan created a self-esteem workshop “Defining Your Personal Style”. The workshop was geared towards enhancing your personal lives, focusing on individual style including make-up application and hairstyling. He has produced one of the hottest events on the BVI Calendar of Summer Events, “Summer Sizzle” A Fashion Extravaganza featuring some of the world’s most notable designers and top models over the last two years. He has also launched a hot new blog, “Spotlight.typepad.com” for your ultimate source of fashion and lifestyle and you can visit his website TerryDonovan.net or you can read his fashion week reviews in Virgin Vybes/BVI Standpoint Newspaper.

The Virgin Islands Fashion Week will feature celebrities and an eclectic mix of fashion designers. Special Celebrity Guests are Bianca Golden from “America’s Next Top Model”, Zulema Griffin from “Project Runway”, Roger Gary International Fashion Designer. The other designers are Karen de Fraites of St. Vincent, Sonia Noel of Guyana, Derek Auguste of Trinidad, John Ashford of New York, Earth Rowe of New York, Ufakabong Utibe of Nigeria, Natasha Chasseau of Dominica, Leslie Morton of St. Kitts, Andre Ettienne of New Jersey, Donnet Brotherson of Guyana, Kirstin Frazer -Trefle Designs of Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Luis Garcia of St. Croix, Deborah Elliot of St. Thomas, E Bannister Couture of Maryland, Vashti Anys of Guyana, Frantz Coulanges of St. Thomas and Men Steppin in Design of St. Thomas.
The show will also feature models from the St. Croix, St. Thomas, Tortola, Cayman Islands and New York City.
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Terry Donovan

VIRGIN ISLANDS FASHION WEEK 2008 TO BE ATTENDED BY DIRECTOR OF US SCOUTING FOR TOP NEW YORK BASED MODELING AGENCIES

VIRGIN ISLANDS FASHION WEEK 2008 TO BE ATTENDED BY DIRECTOR OF US SCOUTING FOR TOP NEW YORK BASED MODELING AGENCIES.


St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands (September 9th, 2008) - Ginny Edwards of Ginny Edwards Development (www.ginnyedwardsdevelopment.com) will be on island during the Second Annual Virgin Islands Fashion Week scheduled to take place from October 9 -13th on St. Thomas.

Miss Edwards is a New York based (St. Thomas born and raised) Model Scout and Manager who had been scouting for the last 10 years. The focus of Ginny Edwards Development is to find uniquely beautiful girls and place them with the very best representation. Through a close working relationship with the models, their families and the agencies, Ginny Edwards Development provides the support young girls need to succeed in the modeling industry. She has placed quite a few St. Thomas girls with top 10 agencies around the world.

The girls she have recently scouted from St. Thomas include Hannah Davis (the new face of Ralph Lauren, who just shot with Victoria’s Secret) and Lana Winter (Polo Sport and Abercrombie and Fitch Campaigns)

Ginny Edwards is currently working with IMG, Next, elite, Ford, Women, DNA, NY Models and is the Director of US Scout for 1 Model Management ( the agency that represents supermodels Iman, Claudia Schieffer, Devon Aoki, Helena Christiansen to name a few) www.1modelmanagment.com. According to www.models.com 1Model Management is ranked in the top 10 modeling agencies in New York.

As part of Virgin Islands Fashion Week, Miss Edwards will meet with models participating in the events surrounding VIFW, giving models an opportunity to be discovered.

For more information contact (340) 998 1013

20 DESIGNERS SLATED FOR THE 2ND VIRGIN ISLANDS FASHION WEEK

20 DESIGNERS SLATED FOR THE 2ND VIRGIN ISLANDS FASHION WEEK

St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands (September 1, 2008) - Virgin Islands Fashion Week organizers will from October 9 -13th present the 2nd Annual Virgin Islands Fashion Week. This 5-day multi-cultural event will feature 20 new and established designers from across the Caribbean, USA and Africa who will present their latest collections ranging from street chic to couture at the signature Caribbean Catwalk Runway Show to be held at the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort and Spa.

The event will feature former Project Runway contestant and film producer Zulema Griffin alongside Guyanese born, international designer Roger Gary and Bianca Golden, a former contestant on America's Next Top Model. Other designers will come from St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Trinidad, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana and Nigeria.




















The week of activities will include a unique upscale fashion show, fashion expo, press conference and chic after-parties for the fashion savvy Virgin Islanders.

The main goal of VIFW is not only to provide new and experienced designers with a platform where they can showcase their unique talents and creativity while further enhancing the Caribbean's fashion tourism market but to showcase and highlight the talent of our local Virgin Islanders. Over 40 local models, stylists, photographers and make-up artists will have the opportunity to network and be a part of the Virgin Islands fashion movement.

Virgin Islands Fashion Week is being sponsored by Premiere Wines and Spirits, Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort and Spa, Presidente Beer, Fiji Water, Elan Image Consulting of Maryland, Stoosh Images of NYC, Centennial Wireless-US Virgin Islands, Tutu Park Mall, and more.

Media partners for this event include local, regional and international media houses including: POSH Caribbean, SHABEAU, Caribelle, M�tier � Fashion Designer Magazine, Inside Fashion World, Tropicalfete.com, Island WHERE Magazine, SKN Vibes, Dominican Weekly, Virgin islands very own 105 Jamz among others.

Portion of the event proceeds will benefit the Family Resource Center of the US Virgin Islands.

For more information on Virgin Islands Fashion Week contact us at info@vifashionweek.com or call 340.344.6078/340.998.1013

CENTENNIAL WIRELESS IS THE OFFICIAL CELLPHONE PROVIDER FOR VIRGIN ISLANDS FASHION WEEK 2008


St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands (September 8, 2008) - Organizers of the 2nd annual Virgin Islands Fashion Week announced today that Centennial Wireless - US Virgin Islands is the official cellular phone service provider for the event scheduled to be held from October 9-13th on St. Thomas.

Centennial Wireless provides wireless network access and other services to subscribers in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands and will provide cellular phone access to visitors and guests to VIFW 2008.

Virgin Islands Fashion Week 2008 will feature 20 designers from across the Caribbean, US Mainland and Africa. The featured guests for the five-day long event will include super-model and former America's Next Top Model contestant, Bianca Golden, Zulema Griffin a former contestant on Bravo's Project Runway, Guyanese born International designer Roger Gary and Sonia Noel one of the region's top designer of women's wear. The catwalk will also feature accessory designer Earth Rowe of New York and shoe designer John Ashford also of New York who will present his one-of-a-kind custom design shoes. Other designers will come from Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent, St. Kitts, Dominica, British Virgin Islands and Nigeria.

Local virgin island designers forming part of the event line up will include Jamal Drummond of St. Croix, the 2008 recipient of the Best Country Designer at the Caribbean Fashion Awards, Frantz Coulanges, Luis Garcia and Men Steppin In Design. Up and coming designer and UVI student, Cliaunjel Williams will make a special presentation of her unique Avante Garde collection.

Activities surrounding VIFW 2008 includes the Caribbean Catwalk Runway Show on Sunday October 12th at the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort and Spa and The ALL WHITE AFFAIR- Beach Party and Swimsuit Fashion Show on Monday, October 13th.

DOMINICAN FASHION DESIGNER TO SHOW AT THE 2ND ANNUAL VIRGIN ISLANDS FASHION WEEK.

DOMINICAN FASHION DESIGNER TO SHOW AT THE 2ND ANNUAL VIRGIN ISLANDS
FASHION WEEK.

St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands (September, 2008) - Swimwear designer,
Natasha Chasseau, originally from the Nature Isle of the Caribbean,
Dominica will present her fall 2008 collection of exotic swimwear and
elegant evening gowns at the 2nd annual Virgin Islands Fashion Week
being held on St. Thomas from October 9 -13th, 2008.

Miss. Natasha Chasseau is a former model and queen contestant, who
knows a thing or two about swimwear and elegant gowns. Tired with the
same, simple, uncomfortable, under-designed, boring styles, she
decided to launch a line in 2007. The Dominican National uses her
artistic talent inherited from her father, creativity, and her passion
for fashion, to create luxury designs that are superbly chic.

Designing under the label NK Designs, Natasha, who currently resides
on Anguilla will bring to the runway her unique creativity and
ingenuity with a collection of swimwear that are Sexy, Sophisticated,
feminine and glamorous, all the qualities inherent to the NK Design
woman. Since NK Designs conception, they have been featured at a
number of events/shows and have graced the stage at the following;

Ø Miss Sandy Island in December of 2007 in Anguilla ,

Ø International Soca Monarch Night hosted by the Dominica Festivals
Commission in February

Ø Sweet Escape hosted by Janay Raymond of Feelo Je Designs in March
of 2008

Ø SSS Fashion Show in March of 2008 in St Maarten

Virgin Islands Fashion Week is being organized in part by Kittian
Henry R. Marsham, jr and Dominican, Vern Tonge, who says she very
excited to have participation from her beloved home county and hope to
have a bigger representation for next year that will include models as
well.

Although in its 2nd year of production, Virgin Islands Fashion Week
has already garnered support and recognition across the Caribbean and
abroad. The event was the 2008 recipient of the People's Choice Awards
for Best Fashion Show/Week at the Caribbean Fashion Awards in Trinidad .

Over 20 designers from across the Caribbean, USA and Africa will join
Natasha on the Caribbean Catwalk Runway Show, the signature runway
event of Virgin Islands Fashion Week on October 12th at the Wyndham
Sugar Bay Resort and Spa. They will come from countries such as St.
Vincent, Trinidad , Barbados , St. Kitts, St. Croix, and Nigeria .

The featured guests will include former America 's Next Top Model
contestant, Bianca Golden as the featured model and Zulema Griffin a
former Project Runway contestant and Guyanese born Roger Gary as the
featured international designers. Miss Chasseau says that she is
excited to present her line along such `big' names in the industry and
hopes that her participation in Virgin Islands Fashion Week will
encourage more Dominican designers to get out and show their talents.

St. Thomas, USVI (October 19, 2007) – Virgin Islands Fashion Week - the official fashion event in the US Virgin Islands, presented a flair culture and couture from October2-8th, with 24 talented fashion designers in women’s eveningwear and prêt-a-porter, swimwear, professional wear, men’s wear.

Yacht Haven Grande sizzled with sexiness and attitude on Thursday, October 4th as Virgin Islands Fashion Week kicked off with the Official Opening Ceremonies which featured music by the St. Thomas All Star Steel Orchestra and a performance by the Heritage Dancers, paying tribute to the Virgin Islands Culture. Alexis Ryan, Loraine St. Aimee, Kaishah Peters, Janay Reymond, Al Haynes, Jeff Purcell, Lisa Mosley were among the designers who presented the public with a taste of their individual collections.

A high light of Virgin Islands Fashion Week was the showcase featuring up and coming 17 year old designer, Allora Tutein of St. Croix. She modeled her designs at the Fashion Market Expo which was held at the Tutu Park Mall.

The Caribbean Catwalk Runway Show was held at Frenchman’s Reef Marriott Hotel on St. Thomas. This spectacular event brought together fashion, beauty, music and art from all over the Caribbean including Guyana, Bermuda and St. Maarten among others. The audience was captivated by the creativity, ingenuity and craftsmanship that were displayed.

Other designers presenting their latest collections were Sonia Noel of Guyana, Amethyst Richardson and Zakiya Douglas of Bermuda, Onika Best of Barbados, NATTY Garments, AGAPE and Christ Couture Fashions of the USA, Jeff Purcell, Nayda Young, Sandal Sole, Riddim Driven (House of Ashanti/VP Records) and Haynes Designs of St. Thomas and Jamal Drummond of St. Croix

Virgin Islands Fashion Week Special Guests included Miss Teiko Dornor, model and TV presenter, from London who modeled and conducting interviews for her program ACCESS which is aired on OBE TV in London.

The culmination of the week-long fashion celebration was the Swimsuit Fashion Show and Calendar Release party at Magens Bay, sponsored in part by PriceSmart. Throughout the week all of the designers flooded the stage with remarkable pieces and presented the latest fashions from their line.

International media representatives from over 6 countries covered this incredible fashion and entertainment event including SHABEAU Magazine, Couture Magazine, Caribelle Magazine, POSH Caribbean Magazine and CORE Magazine,

Official sponsors included Yacht Haven Grande, USVI Department of Tourism, Government of the USVI, ACE Flight Center, Regal Limo, Celebrations, Marriott Frenchman’s Reef Hotel, PriceSmart, Magens Bay Authority, concert works and Megamix Productions. Media partners included Ackley Media Group Stations, Face – to- Face on Channel 12, VI Source – the VI #1 internet newspaper.
Virgin Islands Fashion Week would like to extend a special thank you to the general public, sponsors and well wishers for their support of the event.