CARIBBEAN FASHION CANADA PRESENTS: FASHION HAS NO BORDERS!!!!

Cool trends. Hot style.
Fashion Has No Borders™ set to rock Toronto runway!

Caribbean Fashion Canada presents Fashion Has No Borders™, the largest showcase of Caribbean fashion talent in North America. On July 25th, 2008, designers representing the Caribbean, USA and Europe will introduce their collections to a discerning audience that will include media, buyers and other members of the fashion elite.

“We are partnering with Canadian fashion businesses and Caribbean countries to act as a bridge between the talented Caribbean apparel design sector and important international markets,” states Caribbean Fashion Canada’s president/managing director Sharon Cornwall. “We believe the Canadian fashion industry is ripe for exposure to the innovative designs and vibrant colours of Caribbean designers. Our strategy is to eventually showcase and market the Caribbean apparel industry to the world.”

Canadian style icon and FashionTelevision host Jeanne Beker will emcee Fashion Has No Borders™; Canada’s Next Top Model runway coach/mentor Stacey McKenzie will act as the event’s ambassador. The Palais Royale Ballroom (1601 Lakeshore Blvd. West, Toronto ON) sets the stage for this prestigious event.

By working alongside two notable charities, Fashion Has No Borders™ will support children at home and around the globe. Proceeds will benefit the Sick Kids Foundation, the largest non-governmental granting agency supporting child health in Canada, and Watoto Canada, a registered charitable organization working on projects that aid children in Uganda and East Africa.

BIOS

Sharon Cornwall, President/Managing Director
Sharon Cornwall is a professional consultant and entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience in corporate, public sector and higher education environments. Sharon has created and produced several major events, including the Canadian National Griot Awards and Life By Designs. Her many years of experience in show production, facility management, talent management, event coordination, market research, as well as teaching, writing and business administration are a powerful combination for her role as President/Managing Director of Caribbean Fashion Canada. Sharon brings international business consulting expertise to her position and a wide network of contacts in the fashion industry throughout the Caribbean and North America. Sharon directs all aspects of Fashion Has No Borders™ including sponsorship, designers, venue, model casting, operations and public relations.


Gilbert Rowe, Vice-president of Productions
Gilbert Rowe is an experienced entrepreneur and show production professional. Instrumental in the creation of the St. Lucia Jazz Festival and the Grenada Spice Festival, Gilbert is perhaps best known for founding the Barbados Jazz Festival in 1994. The Barbados Jazz Festival, one of a handful of the world’s privately owned jazz music festivals, is hailed as a premiere event in the Caribbean. The Barbados Jazz Festival has the power to attract international stars to its stage, including Patti LaBelle, Alicia Keys, Gladys Knight and Lou Rawls. The Barbados Jazz Festival was nominated for Best Jazz Festival in the World in 1999 and won the award for Best Caribbean Musical Event in 2000 and 2001. Gilbert, owner of GMR International Tours Inc., is also the Managing Director of the Barbados Jazz Festival. Gilbert Rowe oversees all show production activities for Caribbean Fashion Canada’s Fashion Has No Borders™.



Jeanne Beker, Fashion Has No Borders™ Host & Emcee
Jeanne Beker’s passion for fashion has made her a Canadian style icon.

A respected journalist and author, Jeanne began her career at the age of 16 after landing a recurring role on CBC sitcom “Toby” in 1968. After a number of roles in a variety of Canadian and US productions, Jeanne left for the bright lights of Paris to further her acting education. In 1978, Jeanne returned to Toronto to produce lifestyle and entertainment features for CityTV.

When MuchMusic launched in 1984, Jeanne was front and centre, anchoring “Rockflash” segments. In 1985, weary of a constant diet of rock n’ roll, Jeanne jumped at the chance to host “FashionTelevision”, a program that brought fashion, beauty and lifestyle to the über chic masses. Today, “FashionTelevision” is the station’s most widely syndicated show, with viewers in more than 120 countries around the world.

Always looking to broaden her creative horizons, Jeanne is currently a judge on Canada’s Next Top Model and editor-in-chief of luxe lifestyle publications FQ Magazine and Sir.

Caribbean Fashion Canada is honoured to welcome Jeanne Beker as host and emcee of Fashion Has No Borders™.






Stacey McKenzie, Fashion Has No Borders™ Ambassador
Jamaican-born model Stacey McKenzie began her career while attending high school in Canada. After being told her “look” was too distinctive for the Canadian market, Stacey brought her unique brand of beauty to the runways of Paris, Milan and New York.

Stacey McKenzie has worked the runway for many top designers, including Alexander McQueen, Betsey Johnson and Jean-Paul Gautier. She has posed for such famous photographers as Richard Avedon, Ellen Von Unwerth, Patrick Demarchelier and Bryan Adams.

Stacey has been the face of campaigns for Calvin Klein, Mexx, Banana Republic, Benetton, and M.A.C.; she has graced the covers of Essence, Le Monde, Panache, and Peace, and appeared in the pages of Vogue (U.S., Italian, British, Japan, Korean and Spanish), Harpers Bazaar, Interview, Paper, Vibe and Flare.

Stacey McKenzie was the first black model to host MTV’s “Stylissimo”; the show aired in Europe, Africa and Asia. Soon after, Stacey was discovered by Luc Besson for his sci-fi film “The Fifth Element”, where she played a quirky stewardess alongside Bruce Willis and Chris Tucker. Most recently Stacey became a judge and model coach/mentor on “Canada’s Next Top Model”. Her current projects include teaching others the necessary skills of becoming a top model through her company, Stacey McKenzie’s Walk This Way.


For more information contact Gillian Downes, publicist, at 647.222.9054 or e-mail gdownes@impossiblediva.com

Also the event website
www.caribbeanfashioncanada.com



STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFO!