(Jamaica Gleaner) The Mission Catwalk reality series has expanded its reach and returns to television for a second season with contestants from several Caribbean countries. Fifteen designers from Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica will compete for enviable prizes, among them the chance to show at London Fashion Week.
Says host and executive producer Keneea Linton-George, “Our aim at Mission Catwalk is to grow the fashion industry, not just in Jamaica, but the entire Caribbean. We want to show that a great quality production can come from the region, and to that end I must give credit to our production crew, especially Mykal Cushnie, who returns as director/editor.”
The Kingston-based TV series, which was second only to the evening news in its debut season, is now one hour long. Fans can expect 30 additional minutes of excitement in each episode, which comprises four segments: the challenge, the design production, the runway show and the elimination of the designer.
Things get off to a dramatic start when the designers meet a swift and ferocious first-round challenge in which five of them will be eliminated. The 13-week series culminates with three designers at a live showdown, in Kingston, where the winner will be chosen.
Last year’s winner, Shenna Carby, is still reaping benefits from her victory, which included the chance to show at Miami Fashion Week. In addition to the opportunity to show in London, this year’s winner will receive $500,000 courtesy of National Commercial Bank (NCB) to start their clothing line; industrial sewing equipment valued at $200,000, courtesy of singer Jamaica; a contract to sell their designs at SOHO boutique; a six-page fashion editorial in Ocean Style Magazine and a scholarship to pursue a fashion programme at London College of Fashion.
Judges
Returning to join Linton-George are judges Novia McDonald-Whyte and menswear designer Carlton Brown. The trio will be joined by special guest judges, including creator of Guyana Fashion week, Sonia Noel, Trinidad designers Meiling Esau and Claudia Pegus as well as Jamaican entertainer Lady Saw. This year, the show puts focus on HIV/AIDS awareness, and Dr Sharlene Jarrett will represent the Ministry of Health on a special episode.
The contestants for Mission Catwalk, season two, are Jamaicans Shellane McFarlane, Gregory Williams, Crystal Powell, Kimbally Smith, Janelle Jolly, Keshon Hawthorne, Natalie Rochester and Maria King-Beadle. Kesia Estwick and Kerin Scott are from Barbados. Ryan Chen and Shana Kwong represent Trinidad while Jeanelle Forde represents both Trinidad and Barbados. Ryan Bentley (Guyana) and Rebecca Stirm (Belize), round off the non-Jamaican contenders.
Mission Catwalk was launched last Tuesday. The show, presented by NCB, Supreme Ventures and Digicel, will air every Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. on TVJ, starting March 20. Viewers in Barbados, Belize, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, please check local listings.
