Following the recent successful trip by Pulse models and representatives of the local fashion industry to Brussels, Belgium, Flair caught up with the head of the Caribbean's leading modelling agency, Kingsley Cooper, to get his take on the trip.

The trip to Brussels seems to have been a success. Are there any pleasing aspects of it or results from it that you can share with readers now?

At the shows in Brussels, the business generated at the venue, L'Arsenal, immediately after the second 'Market Penetration' show, as well as the prospects for future business in Europe and elsewhere, was an overwhelming success.

At Pulse, we were careful to point out the importance of designer business readiness to Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI) and the Jamaica Fashion Cluster. This was also of the greatest importance to the European Commission, given the advent of the European Partnership Agreement (EPA), the need to take advantage of certain opportunities, best capitalised on by the creative industries. The European Commission funded the initiative under its Private Sector Development Programme and the ambassador, Marco Mazzocchi Alemani, took a personal interest in the success of the project.

Everyone was on board with this and the success resulted from a strong and positive collaborative effort of the JTI, the Jamaica Business Develop-ment Corporation, the featured designers, Sandra Kennedy (who coordinated the Island Collective line), the Jamaica Fashion Cluster and Pulse's team of producers, coordinators and models; all worked together to achieve the desired result.

Caribbean Fashionweek (CTW) is coming up. From the lessons learnt so far, how will it be different or better this year? Who are some of the participants? Any new elements?

CFW 2009, despite the economic challenges, will probably be the best ever. This is because we have retained all the best features of the event, developed over the years, while further strengthening business and industry. These aspects took a major step forward at last year's event, with the establishment of Caribbean Fashion Industry Forum (CAFIF). The next CAFIF general meeting is during CFW, on Sunday, June 14, at the Hilton Kingston hotel. This important regional fashion industry association has grown in leaps and bounds in less than a year.

Same calibre

Entertainment will also be stronger this year, with top performers booked to appear. Last year we had Eve, Nia Long, Maschonda and Vanessa Williams walking the runway. This year we'll have the same calibre of stars doing that, but we'll also have them performing.

Christie Dinham and her team return to CFW this year, to manage the runway production after a two-year hiatus, so that aspect will be first-class.

How is the recession affecting the local/regional modelling and fashion industry?

The recession has made most things more difficult and business has slowed in most areas. However, opportunities still abound and great talent is great talent. There are bright spots; we aim to create and utilise as many of those as possible.

barbara.ellington@gleanerjm.com