Caymanian models heading to New York Fashion Week

Three Caymanian runway models are headed to New York Fashion Week. Brianna Livingston, Alana Tooker and Kezia McLean has each been cast to walk the runway, in the heart of Times Square on 11 February 2023, where they will be wearing collections from international designers eager to showcase their brands in a city that is host to one of the most popular and mesmerizing fashion events in the world.

Cayman InStyle Fashion Week, during its successful launch, captured the interest of TFL (producer of the upcoming NY runway show) who extended an invitation for three models from the Cayman Islands to participate in their event. Jointly selected by Cayman InStyle Fashion Week and TFL, these trained models have consistently demonstrated the poise, confidence and skills to grace any catwalk.

Accompanying these lovely young ladies to the Big Apple will be renowned fashion designer, Norma Ebanks, CEO of Cayman InStyle Fashion Week and CEO of Creative Fashion School (a non-profit organization). She will be displaying her latest collection during New York Fashion Week on 11 February 2023, after having accepted a special invitation from TFL to be one of their guest designers. Ms. Ebanks will share the New York runway with top designers from around the world, with her pieces being worn by international models before a multinational audience. This will be Ms. Ebanks’ second time at New York Fashion Week, showcasing her signature line. Her debut was in September of 2022.

Next on Ms. Ebanks’ agenda is that of unveiling Cayman’s very own Fashion Week, the aforementioned Cayman InStyle Fashion Week (CIFWK), which is an upscale fashion and lifestyle event scheduled to span across four days (from 30 March 2023 to 2 April 2023). Its purpose is to reinvent the Cayman Islands’ culture of fashion and creativity for young people and to provide a platform for creatives to exhibit their work.

CIFWK will be hosted by Creative Fashion School (CFS) whose aim is to empower Cayman’s creative youth, who might be dealing with mental health issues and choose to free their mind through art, fashion and design. The Alex Panton Foundation, whose mission is to highlight the awareness, advocacy and support of mental illness affecting children and young adults, will receive a portion of the event’s proceeds.

This four-day event opens with a Welcome Party on Thursday, 30 March, where guests mingle with local and international designers and models and it wraps up on Sunday, 2 April with “The Escape” which will showcase the island’s beauty to visiting celebrities, designers, and media, as they indulge in this enchanting and pristine Caribbean gem.

On Friday, 31 March, the “Free Your Mind” Soirée will take place at the Ritz-Carlton. The Soirée is a stylish production in celebration of the dedication and passion of our “Free Your Mind” Program. Student designers from local schools and the community will showcase their unique outfits, while select artists paint live and on location, and while local musical talent add their creative flare alongside our local and international guests. Sponsors, influencers, models, international designers, celebrities and press can enjoy specialty cocktails and floating appetizers during the cocktail hour, whilst enjoying the best of Cayman’s creativity on the opening night.

On Saturday, 1 April, it is Lights! Camera! Fashion! The highly-anticipated Runway Show, also taking place at the Ritz-Carlton, will feature local and international designers and models, as well as a special CIFWK Bridal lineup featuring breathtaking bridal gowns from internationally-known couture bridal designers. Our local models are trained by international runway coach, Alva Page, who has mentored the likes of Cayman’s very own Alyssa Powell-Johnson (currently signed to Wilhelmina Miami) and Aaliyah Hydes (currently signed to Muse Management).

The inception of CIFWK’s inaugural 2019 show provided a platform for local designers to be seen alongside international top designers such as Sergio Hudson (known for his designs for Michelle Obama, Beyonce, and Jennifer Lopez) and Sai Sanko (who showed her collection for the first time ever on a runway and has since been worn by celebrities such as Gabrielle Union-Wade and Jenna Jenovich) – quality which will be repeated in 2023.

More information about Cayman InStyle Fashion Week can be found on its website (www.caymaninstylefashionweek.com), on Facebook (caymaninstylefashionweek) or on its Instagram page (CIFWKOfficial).