V.I. Fashion Week Launches Promotional Campaign in Atlanta

Atlanta Gets a Taste of the Caribbean Catwalk

ST. THOMAS, VI (May 28, 2009) – Atlanta, Georgia was chosen as the host for the Virgin Islands Fashion Week promotion taking place May 25th thru May 30th, 2009. The promotional event serves as a teaser for the island’s most commanded designers and showcases the best runway talent from the Atlanta area.       

Mid-town’s Club Opera will mirror the high flavors of New York’s Garment District, known since the early 20th century for fashion design. The runway at Club Opera will easily temp those in attendance to participate in V.I. Fashion Week’s main events held October 6-12, 2009 at The Marriott Frenchman’s Reef Resort on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.  

According to Henry Marsham, the shows CEO, Atlanta will feel the spirit of the islands. “I’m excited to team with the U.S.V.I Department of Tourism in cooperation with its Atlanta office, to provide Atlanta locals with information about our culture, our music and the people that make our islands a still best kept secret for many,” Marsham noted.     

 The Atlanta event is dubbed A Taste of the Caribbean Catwalk as guests will be treated to the renowned collections of Andre Ettienne from the “House of Ettienne, St. Croix/St. Thomas; Sonia Noel from “Mariska’s”, Guyana; Roger Gary from “Aqua Couture by Roger Gary”, New York; Francis Hendy from “Francis Hendy Designs, New York; Charla Conner from “Panache Couture”, Anguilla; Yadiyda Williams from “Soul Couture,” England; and Kristin Frazar from “Trefle,” Tortola, B.V.I. Models from the Atlanta area were hand selected to showcase the designs.

Marsham noted the importance of reaching the show’s niche market. “We must reach our market and let the world know of our product and that the islands have something other than the sun, sea and sand; we know fashion,” Marsham concluded. The goal is to establish St. Thomas and the U.S.V.I as the fashion hub of the eastern Caribbean.

After its 2007 debut, V.I. Fashion week was the winner at the Caribbean Fashion Award which was held in Trinidad. Earlier this year the show went prime time with a feature on an episode of The CW Networks popular reality program America’s Next Top Model hosted by fashion icon Tyra Banks.

The show’s leadership and the USVI Department of Tourism are working rigorously to highlight the promotional event. Its CEO and a DOT representative are scheduled to participate in Radio interviews on Atlanta News Talk stations AM 1690 and AM 1160.

Atlanta’s Virgin Islands Fashion Week Promotion was made possible with the support of several local citizens and groups. Marsham made the donors list available to the media.  Gerald Shorter, Heavenly Desserts, expressed gratitude for the company’s local participation. “This is an awesome opportunity for my company to express itself internationally and provide my local patrons with arts the entire family can enjoy,” Shorter concluded.

Other local donors include Club Opera, U.S.V.I Department of Tourism, Jeff Davis of J.W Broadcasting, Traxx, Corja Styling, Ph.D. Entertainment, Who’s Who and Serenity Travel. Support from The U.S.V.I includes Senator Shawn Malone, E.J. at Paradise Pictures, Celebrations Weddings and Events and Virtual Business Solutions.  

For more information about the event, please contact the marketing department in the USVI (340) 227-8211 or visit www.fashionweekvi.com; in Atlanta, www.serenitytravelinc.com, at (866) 778-1123 or e-mail Michael@serenitytravelinc.com

About VIFW:

Virgin Islands Fashion Week was founded in 2007 by Henry R. Marsham following a successful career presenting fashion shows on St. Thomas and St. Kitts. He created VIFW primarily to introduce fashion tourism to the Virgin Islands as a vital and sustainable part of the economy, but also to provide a platform for emerging talent from the Virgin Islands and Eastern Caribbean to gain exposure. VIFW has been featured on top reality program, America’s Next Top Model, in Shabeau magazine, SHE Caribbean magazine, St. Thomas Magazine, LIME, the in-flight magazine of LIAT airlines; and JAMROCK magazine. An evolving event, VIFW promises to establish St. Thomas as the Fashion Hub of the Caribbean.

Virgin Islands Fashion Week 2009 is scheduled for October 6 - 12, 2009.

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