Gavin Douglas has confirmed that he will show his latest collection at Caribbean Fashion Week 2008 (CFW).
The collection by the leading British Fashion maverick which Vogue describes as “blinged up and going hell-for-leather on the underground club scene” showcases Douglas’ impressive take on metallics, silks, buckles, corsets and chains, “For my 2008 collection, I was primarily inspired by the atmosphere, music, fashion and shire attitude of the Hip-Hop and Reggae community. These genres, however different they may seem, have significantly impacted fashion and style trends over the past few decades. This is my take on that scene - couture style.”
Douglas showed his first ever collection at Caribbean Fashionweek in 2005, shortly after receiving the Pulse / Tyler Media British Young Designer of The Year Award.
He has now become a constant presence on London Fashion Week and the Paris Collections, where he has attracted critical notice and acclaim. Last year he won the Smirnoff CFW Originator Award at Caribbean Fashionweek. Since his showing at CFW 07, the young and ultramodern fashion master has been become quite the world-traveler and keeps busy with new and exciting projects.
First up, Gavin’s designs were included on the front cover of R & B Star Kelly Rowland’s late summer album ‘Miss Kelly’. He also provided clothing for the ‘First Lady of R & B’ Miss Mary J. Blige Heart of the City Tour in late 2007. Following that, Gavin was personally invited by Elie Saab to work within his couture atelier in Lebanon for two weeks. Elie Saab is one of a handful of official couturiers in the world and reportedly has the highest sales within couture to date. Douglas was chosen to work with him directly on the design and concept of his Spring/ Summer 2008 collection.
Recently, the Avant-Garde designer was lauded at the Black Britannia, an exhibition of photographs by John Ferguson - Fleet Street's first black photographer acknowledging the most influential Black role models in the United Kingdom. The exhibit features a portrait of Douglas alongside the likes of Naomi Campbell, Lewis Hamilton and Sir Trevor McDonald. This acknowledgment is the latest in a string of high profile achievements for Birmingham-born designer Douglas, who has now shown three collections at London Fashion Week as well as at other fashion shows all across the globe.
Four years ago when Gavin made his international debut at CFW 05, he displayed an understanding for fashion well beyond his years and now, the continuously rising star is a force to be reckoned with. For Jamaican designers who eye the major catwalks of the world, as well as international business success, Gavin’s story is an inspirational example of how success is attained. Thoroughly excited about his latest renewal at CFW, the savvy designer speaks highly of the event, “CFW is a ground breaking, phenomenal event that has become stronger and more successful each year. For 2008 I expect CFW to be even bigger and better than ever. There are great opportunities to make key business contacts within the Caribbean at CFW as well as opportunities to meet new people. Jamaica is a beautiful country and I look forward to visiting CFW each year.”
Caribbean Fashionweek 2008, the event’s eighth foray into style and beauty, will undoubtedly be the best yet. Since its inception in 2001, the event has evolved significantly, whilst remaining true to the Caribbean’s creative elements. This synergy of Caribbean culture and international pizzazz has earned the show major respect from important fashion press around the world including Vogue, The Independedt, i-D and Fashion TV Paris - the world’s top distributor of fashion programming which disseminated CFW 2007 content to over 300 million households around the world,.
This year’s renewal of Caribbean Fashionweek takes place nightly in Kingston, Jamaica, June 11-16 at the National Indoor Sports Centre as well as various other venues, including Villa Ronai and Strawberry Hill. CFW is presented by Pulse in association with the Audi TT, Smirnoff, Fashion TV Paris, Viva Sparkling Water, Nestle’s Fitness Cereal, the BIDC, Invest Barbados, The Jamaica Tourist Board, The Hilton, Courtleigh and Knutsford Court hotels, The Jamaica Observer, Nestle Supligen, CVM TV, Ocean Style, She Caribbean, Jamrock magazine, Hype TV and several other sponsors to be announced.
