Nashauna Drummond, Lifestyle Coordinator

Left: 100-metre world record holder Asafa Powell got a standing ovation as he hit the stage. Right: Former West Indies cricketer Courtney Walsh takes his turn on the stage for a worthy cause, but not without the tools of his former trade.

Some of Jamaica's most prominent personalities got all dolled up for a worthy cause at Fashion Xplosion held at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston last Sunday. They came from behind the microphone and off the track to be models for a day.

Organised by Miss Jamaica World 2007, Yendi Phillipps, the charity event raised funds to rebuild some of the homes destroyed by Hurricane Dean in Old Harbour Bay. This event will also put her in the running for the 'Beauty with a Purpose Award' at the Miss World Competition, to be held in Sanya, China, on December 2. Yendi also modelled a few of the pieces that will form her wardrobe for the competition.

The women, for the most part, were in familiar realm but the men were a surprising sight to behold. It was very entertaining and enlightening to see them in a new light. They took centre stage in pieces from participating designers, including: Shades of Africa, Xtra's, Pablo Pahaier, Camesha Powell, Les Campbell, Mushroom, Neah Lis, Barry Moncrieffe, Carlton Brown and Uzuri.

Left: A Saint International model in a piece from Les Campbell's Classic Comfort line. Right: A Saint International model in a black velvet suit from Pablo Pahaier's Man Made. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Left: A brief return to what he did best, clad in a black leather suit is former model Gilbert Chen.