Fom left, Cheryl Levy, Karl Williams and Nadine Prendergast in animal-print designs by Karl Williams.Justin Whyte, Entertainment Editor
Models worldwide have the advantage of moving into the business of fashion designing with more than average ease, because of their extensive exposure to that arena.
They have a good feeling for the type of music to enhance the showcasing of a garment and how to win the approval of an audience. So they tend to do well in designing because they know what the people want.
Karl Williams, who began modelling in 1987, switched to fashion designing two years later.
"Modelling exposes models to people, what's wearing and how clothes should be worn. So as a designer I get a thrill and pleasure watching garments being fitted on various bodies and watching their initial response.
"As a model you get exposed to backstage runnings leading up to a show. You learn about the use of certain materials, the designs that are effective on a show and how to present each garment to keep the momentum of an event," he said.
"In addition, models get to understand running orders and how to place certain designs on the programme for maximum effect with the crowd," he continued.
Elegance and romance are dominant themes in international couture and this most be borne in mind when creating for the catwalk.
Most of the designers create outfits of various styles for diverse occasions, such as swimwear, evening wear, casual wear and garments for cocktails and formal occasions.
Karl told Showbiz his motivation to move into fashion designing came from the fact that he "fell in love with clothes".
"The lure of the fashion industry pulled him into Ocho Rios 10 years ago, where he set up business with Marc McDermoth.
"The need and demand for clothes in the hotel industry and the money to be made motivated me to launch my own evening wear line. We now have a small factory, which now offers a male line," Marc continued.
Natural progression
Dwight Peters, head of Saint Model Management, feels the transition from the catwalk to the design room is not always a natural progression for former models. He said, some models go into photography and brand name endorsements.
Debbie-Ann Stanley, chief executive officer for Champs Model Management, who had brief stints in modelling before opening her agency, sees the shift to fashion designing as a comfortable one, because models have working knowledge of the industry.
Former leading Jamaican model, Bev Cork, who returned to the island in 1982 and got into training models with Kingsley Cooper of Pulse, had always wanted to do designing.
She now has her own line of clothes -- Easy Street Casual Resort Wear. Her designs include tank tops, draw string pants, wrap skirts, all utilising natural gauze and calico material.
English-born Sandra Kennedy was a household name as a model in Jamaica. A graduate of Waltham Forest College, London, she pursued a career in pattern construction and worked for six years in renowned fashion firms, such as the Wally Fashion Group of London. She came to the island in 1982 and was persuaded by leaders in the fashion business to model.
"I was shy at first. However, my first assignment was with Ammar's. I was spotted by Kingsley Cooper of Pulse who and encouraged me to enter the Miss Jamaica Fashion Model competition in 1983. This allowed me to meet more people in the business and many doors got opened up to me", Sandra told Showbiz.
She eventually launched into mainly TV commercials, photo shoots and was featured in a big photo exhibition at the McKonde Gallery, Orchid Colony, off Waterloo Road, Kingston. Despite her modelling success she returned to designing in 1984 when she set up her own company Chad Sports Wear and the Sandra Kennedy line, which received sponsorship support from the private sector.
The former model has halted her designing career to raise her children Nye, 5; twins Morgan and Kennedy, two-and-a-half years old.
Most of the models interviewed felt the industry needed a boost. Some claim there should be more expositions organised by JAMPRO, the government's promotional arm, in order to stimulate international markets. Debbie-Ann concurred and suggested Government do more to facilitate designers in terms of reducing tax and tariffs on imported materials used in the industry. She said because of the duties and taxes, designers were restricted in terms of quality of material they need to create world-class outfits.
These are just a few of the models who have switched careers.
Creations from these former models are making powerful statements and tend to add sizzle to many fashion shows.
