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Local models need to be trained & developed- Terry Donovan
![Calisha Cayonne who, along with Kadia Turnbull and Audrey Blake, represented the [British] Virgin Islands at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week on September 9, 2013. Photo: Terry Donovan](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/800x_8_800x_IMG20130910WA000.jpg)
Mr Donovan made the comment in an exclusive interview with Virgin Islands News Online from New York today, September 18, 2013.
Some 8 models from the VI and USVI made their debut at New York Fashion Week on September 9, 2013. Kadia ‘Kadie Kade’ Turnbull, Calisha Cayonne and Audrey Blake were those selected from the Virgin Islands while Toia Sylvester, Elsia Williams, Jessica Millin, Sianna Wynter and Whitney Maduro hailed from neighbouring USVI.
The models were spotted at the 2013 Summer Sizzle BVI where celebrity designer Cesar Galindo presented his collection as he does each year. Galindo and Project Runway alum Korto Momolu, who has presented her collection in previous years, decided to add a little sizzle to their presentation at New York Fashion Week by bringing in models from the Virgin Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands to be featured alongside their New York cast of models.
Founder and Executive Producer of Summer Sizzle BVI, Terry Donovan said he saw the idea as a way to introduce the world to the models and vice versa and presented the idea to all his featured designers. He added he was very excited when Galindo and Momolu shared his enthusiasm and hand-picked the models they wanted to invite to New York.
“I am truly honored that Cesar Galindo and Korto Momolu selected models from Summer Sizzle BVI to walk the runway during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York this season,” said Donovan. “Cesar in particular has supported Summer Sizzle BVI since its inception, presenting his exquisite collections and raising our profile on the international stage. The fact that these designers are providing this opportunity to models from the region speaks volumes of their commitment to embracing diversity, in an age when so many others are not. It is an exciting time for young models whose avenues onto the world stage are often limited. My sincerest thanks to Cesar and Korto, and their respective teams,” Mr Donovan stated in a press release.
Contacted on the performances of the models at the prestigious event in New York, Mr Donovan was quick to admit that the models did “a wonderful job and the designers were very happy with their performance. They were professional and a pleasure to work with.”
On that same note, however, Mr Donovan said he also realized that “our local models need to be trained and developed if they are seriously planning to pursue modeling as a professional career.”
Meanwhile, Galindo said working with the Summer Sizzle BVI models was “paradise revisited. I was so happy with the 8 beautiful models that traveled from their world to mine".
The models from the Virgin Islands were sponsored by LIME (BVI), Norman Allen Photography and Elite Security.
According to the press release, LIME’s Managing Director Sean Auguste said LIME saw the modeling potential of Ms Kadia Turnbull and “recognized it as a real talent that she has crafted and studied to get her to the point of being selected for Summer Sizzle BVI, and worthy of work with Ceasar Galindo as well. It's humbling to be able to partner with her as she climbs higher as we always believe you cannot reap what you do not sow. LIME will continue to invest in her and other talented persons."
In addition, Kareem-Nelson Hull, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications for LIME BVI and TCI expressed the company’s support for Donovan’s endeavor to raise the region’s fashion profile.
“Kadia's selection through Summer Sizzle BVI has really challenged the BVI to recognize that Terry Donovan's vision to make this a fashion experience for the territory and also a launch pad for local talent is tangible. LIME has long believed in local talent and we are looking forward to supporting people, and events like this in the future,” Mr Hull said.
About Cesar Galindo
Cesar Galindo is an accomplished and dedicated fashion designer. He has worked with Dolce & Gabbana where he worked, under contract, to create original clothing for celebrity clients including tour wardrobes for Mary J. Blige, Madonna, Missy Elliott, and Sara Jessica Parker for Sex And the City. For spring 2010 and fall 2011 Galindo worked under seasonal contract with Creative Director Francisco Costa at Calvin Klein womenswear collection.
In addition he has designed for L.A.M.B by Gwen Stefani producing runway samples and
prototypes for the collection, as well as creating celebrity gowns for the red carpet.
Cesar is now the Creative Director for X by Gotex, and for Second Skin Apparel Group, a full service vendor providing a wide spectrum of services ranging from market research, trend forecasting, product development, sourcing, production and handling the shipping process.
About Summer Sizzle BVI
Summer Sizzle BVI, the British Virgin Islands Fashion Week is the ultimate fashion and lifestyle event which attracts the fashion industry to the BVI and also creates a platform for aspiring local designers and models whose participation garners exposure to the international media and fashion insiders alike.
BVI’s very own talented designers; BayRoc Clothing, Mode de Femme and Trefle Designs were featured in Summer Sizzle BVI 2013.
Summer Sizzle BVI 2014 is scheduled for July 24 – 28.
For more information visit www.summersizzlebvi.com
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