Designer of the Year - Ximena Valero

Charlestown, Nevis: - Ximena Valero who was recently awarded designer of the year is set to showcase her award winning line "Red Carpet Collection" on the Winnielle Model Management and Digicel sponsored Nevis Fashion Weekend

Valero has been designing for over 15 years out of her homeland of Mexico. A career span that has seen her creations worn on many a Hollywood red carpet event. Valero has said that her passion as a designer was ignited at the age of nine when her mother took her to a summer sewing class. It was the beginning of a career that led to the creation of her "Make love Collection By Ximena Valero".

Each year inspired by women who love themselves and take good care of their bodies Valero expands her line of clothing. Valero's clothing has been described as very sexy and elegant, a timeless fashion. She says its perfect for the women that live in the Caribbean.

Valero will be joined at the four-day fashion event by Antigua's Calvin Southwell, one of the Caribbean's most sought after fashion icons. Calvin S, as he has come to be known is a force to be reconned with in the fashion/beauty arena.

He is a fashion designer, make-up artist, stylist, former model turned model agent and beauty coach. His motto "Why wear anything else" becomes self explanatory once you become enthralled in the simplistic beauty and use of color.

Calvin S is about to bring to Nevis his "Holiday Collection"- a line that emphasizes the colors of the earth with the traditional black and white. He too has received awards for his work. In 2003 he was awarded the Grand Order of Merit. He has graced many a runway show in London, Paris, Toronto, Miami Fashion Week and many an event across the Caribbean. Calvin S has dressed many a Miss Universe contestant, a pageant of which, in addition to the Miss World, Miss Earth and Miss Intercontinental he is national director.

Out of the nearby Caribbean isle of Anguilla comes Charla Connor. Her three year old clothing line Panache Couture has risen in a phoenix-like manner to become the leading fashion name out of Anguilla.

With a heart felt passion for her craft and a vow not to exchange substance for sustenance Connor is set to conquer the Caribbean's fashion scene. July 19-22 she will take one step closer to her dream when she showcases her new clothing line "Asian Chic" on the runway of the Nevis Fashion Weekend.

Connor creates a line of clothing for women whose bold declaration of their feminity and contentment with themselves exudes self confidence. She believes that women who wears her clothing make her creations look good and not vice versa.

These three designers will be joined by eight others over the four day fashion weekend slated.

The Nevis Fashion Weekend will include VIP Cocktail and dance, motorcade, main fashion extravaganza, after party, modeling classes, food and fashion fair, mini swimsuit show case and farewell summer beach bash. For those attending the main fashion extravaganza event slated for Friday July 20, ferry will depart St. Kitts at 7pm and depart Nevis 30 minutes after the event.

The remaining designers: Sandra Weekes with her "Island Girl Sugar Cane Season" line, Urban & Spice "Metamorphosis", Mikieda Franklin "Itsy Bitsy Wear Collection" all out of St Kitts, Kaishah Peters "Knitty Kitty of the Caribbean" of St Maarten, Rifka Maycock "Riff Raff Designs" and Yejide Parry "Njambi D-Zines" out of Nevis, Mujaji of Rebel clothing out of New York, Cassandra Motley of Fetish Fashion of Barbados, Janay Raymonde with her Bella Rasta and Parade di Caribe lines out of Anguilla.

Over a dozen local models including the reigning Miss St Kitts will be joined on the runway by their counterparts out of St Thomas, Curacao, Anguilla, Los Angelos, St Maarten.

Sponsors of the event include: Digicel as title sponsor, Old Manor Hotel Nevis as the official home of the Nevis Fashion Weekend, out of Trinidad Sacha Cosmetics through local agents Dollar Saver as the official make-up line of the fashion event, American Airlines, Choice 105.3 FM, WINNFM 98.9 FM, KYSS FM, Leewards Media Group (Leewards Time), M & M Car Rental & Taxi Services, Nevis TV, Frank B Armstrong, F.I.T Wellness Center (Nevis) Nevis Tourism Dept, Sunshine’s Beach Bar & Grill, Caribbean Wine and First Class Jewelry.

Tickets will go on sale shortly at Bac-2- my-ROOTS in Fig Tree, Church Ground, Nevis or call 662 2015 and in St Kitts at Mini Walls on Princes Street.

Magazine coverage of the event include; Caribelle Magazine and Couture Magazine out of St. Maarten, Shabeau Magazine out of Barbados, Bac-2-Bac magazine, the Internet based Posh Caribbean and Center Stage Magazine and Uzuri International out of Africa.
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Source: tropicalfete