Aria Mary Francis left for Jamaica today, Wednesday 11 June, to participate in this year’s Caribbean Fashion Week, from 11-16 June. Francis was selected to participate by Romae Gordon, head of the Kingston-based modeling agency Pulse, and Fashion Director of Caribbean Fashion Week.
Caribbean Fashion Week, in its 14th year, is regarded as the region’s largest and most important fashion events, showcasing the best of Caribbean designers in an international setting. The event is held over 6 days and includes fashion shows, concert performances, business forums, business matchmaking, an exhibition, after parties and other entertainment.
Francis’ participation at Caribbean Fashion Week is a networking opportunity for her, and a marketing opportunity for Grenada. It is well known that generation of interest in and the potential financial rewards from our youth doing well in the cultural industries sector, is critical and of prime importance to the region’s development at this time. The OECS is currently hosting workshops in the region for the specific purpose of raising awareness of the income generating opportunities that one can derive from the creative industry sector and is engaging in building the capacity of persons working in this industry in the OECS.
Given this recognised focus of the OECS, it is especially important that Grenadian talent is given the platform to be seen and to network at events, such the Caribbean Fashion Week. This event will allow Francis, a home-grown modeling talent, to be seen by regional and international modeling agencies and designers, on the runway. Although no designers from Grenada will be represented at this year’s event, during her time in Jamaica, Francis will be wearing pieces from Grenadian designers Kim Francis, Silhouette by Neisha La Touché and Zarycon Designs by Connie Farrier.
A social work student at TAMCC, Francis is a very positive and busy Grenadian youth on the move. She is a contestant in the 2014 National Queen Show, and was recently cast for a role in an upcoming play by well-known Grenadian playwright and director, Richardo Keens-Douglas, aspiring to marry her passion for social work with her love for the runway and acting.