Kingsley Cooper, (left) CEO of Pulse, in discussion with Christopher Anthony Nathan, programme administrator of the Caribbean Academy of Fashion and Design at the University of Trinidad and Tobago, at the Caribbean Fashionweek launch at Hilton Kingston hotel last Friday. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Although the country is experiencing tough economic times, Kingsley Cooper, Pulse Investments Limited chairman, promised one of the best Caribbean Fashionweeks (CFW).

At the press conference, which was held at the Hilton Kingston hotel last Friday, Cooper said Pulse found ways to deal with the challenges faced.

"We have been creative in how we dealt with it. We have learnt how to make something from nothing," Cooper said.

"We were challenged with no money and no sponsors wanting to put up money ... . Those with money were holding back. We managed to produce the best show with less resources."

In order to do this, Cooper said, they had to widen the net of sponsors, use more in-kind support and tightly manage the funds they had. In addition, he said, they had to increase the entertainment factor in order to lure more people to the event.

Lisa Bell of Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI) noted that, with the decrease in revenues from traditional areas of export, such as bauxite, it has forced the Government to focus more on creative industries.

business of fashion

Some of the other issues discussed at the press conference were the business of fashion and how to help the industry develop.

CFW started last Wednesday with arrivals and registration. Shows were held at the National Indoor Sports Centre on Friday and last night. Tonight is the final show and it will feature Eve and D'Angel. However, CFW ends tomorrow night with the Strawberry Hill Wrap Party.