Nassau, Bahamas: 8th September, 2008. Mode Îles Ltd., organizers of the Islands of the World Fashion Week, today released the names of the persons who will serve as judges for the selection of recipients of the awards in Sustainable Eco-Fashion, Culture & Fashion, and emerging designer (NextGen Designer Award) at the event scheduled to be held 5th – 8th November, 2008 at the British Colonial Hilton in Nassau, Bahamas and the Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island.
Nolé Marin, noted fashion stylist and television personality, served as a judge on the television reality series, America’s Next Top Model, and has contributed as a fashion expert on numerous television shows and celebrity events such as the Academy Awards, the Golden Globe Awards, Cannes Film Festival, VH1 Fashion Awards, and the New York Fashion Week. His clientele includes Tommy Hilfiger, Tyra Banks, Iman, Hugh Jackman, Heidi Klum, Lenny Kravitz, Alicia Keys, Kanye West, Ricky Martin, Beverley Johnson, and Chloe Sevigny. He is a coach on the MTV hit show “Made”, and serves as creative director for Canada’s Next Top Model.
Alphadi, renowned Paris-based designer from Niger, is the founder of the International Festival of African Fashion (FIMA) held in Niger and which simultaneously promotes the themes of “Peace, Culture and Development”
Susan Stein has accumulated over 30 years of experience in the fashion and retail industry in the United States of America, serving as Fashion and Public Relations Director for Saks Fifth Avenue in New York and Connecticut, and Director of the Personal Shopping Department of Bloomingdales in Los Angeles. Susan is a lecturer at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles and serves as the Fashion Editor of Palm Springs Life Magazine. She is also the Producer/Director of Fashion Week El Paseo in Palm Desert, California.
Nick Verreos, designer of his own line “Nikolaki”, is one of the star designers of the television reality series “Project Runway”, where he won the Barbie Challenge. He is a fashion expert on a number of shows including Bravo’s Work Out and TV Guide’s The Fashion Team. He is the official spokesperson for the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, where he also lectures. Nick will also present his collection at Islands of the World Fashion Week as an International Guest Designer.
Peter Ingwersen, Danish designer of his own line “NOIR Illuminati II”, has had an illustrious career in the fashion industry, notably being the creative mind behind the Levi’s Jean brand throughout Europe. Peter is at the vanguard of the eco-fashion movement. He will also be presenting his collection at Islands of the World Fashion Week as an International Guest Designer.
The recognition awards will be given to the respective designers from the islands selected due to their having incorporated certain aspects of eco-fashion or culture in their creations. Each presenting designer at Islands of the World Fashion Week must create at least one piece which meets the criteria in the respective categories of Sustainable Eco-Fashion and Culture & Fashion. The NextGen Designer Award will be presented to a new designer with less than three years of experience but whose designs are considered to have outstanding international marketability. In addition to these specific awards the judges will select five designers to receive the Seal of Excellence, signifying their attention to quality and detail with an international appeal.
The awards have been uniquely crafted and manufactured by Waterford Crystals of Ireland specifically for Islands of the World Fashion Week.
Designers from the islands will present their creations for the judges during the Opening Reception at the Atlantis Resort on the 5th November. However, the award recipients will not be disclosed until the Closing Reception on the 8th November.
For further information, please contact either Ms. Arianne Etuk at aetuk@islandsfashionweek.com or Ms. Rekenya Dean at rdean@islandsfashionweek.com or via telephone # 242-356-6133.