International supermodel Georgie Badiel adds sizzle to Caribbean Week in New York

NEW YORK, NY (29 May, 2013) – International supermodel, Georgie Badiel, will add her grace and charm to the one of the most spectacular events for Caribbean Week in New York, the High Fashion Show.

Georgie will walk the runway wearing the creations of some of the leading Caribbean fashion designers, demonstrating why she has been one of the most sought-after models since bursting onto the scene in the United States in 2008.
Described as sizzling on the runway, Georgie has strut down the catwalk for world famous designers, including Chado Ralph Rucci, Diane von Furstenberg, Marc Jacobs, Christian Siriano, Oscar de la Renta, and Zang Toi.

“As an international fashion model I am used to being around beautiful people, but I think the most beautiful aspect of a person is the mind. I am extremely honoured to support this great cause because it is through education we can create a beautiful mind,” the former Miss Burkina Faso and former Miss Africa said of her participation in the Caribbean fashion show.

Georgie began her career as a 15-year-old modelling in clubs in Africa. She signed her first modelling contract in Paris in 2005, and has graced the catwalk in London, Milan and around the world. She has also been a regular on the New York Fashion Week runways and was chosen as “Model of the Year” during the Arise Magazine Fashion Week in Lagos, Nigeria in 2012.

Joining Georgie on the runway for the Caribbean fashion show will be Chantal Clarke of Jamaica – the winner of Face Of Fashion “Jamaica” 2013, along with other models.

Dubbed “Caribbean Fashion Tourism 2013,” the fashion show will provide the platform for talented Caribbean models and fashion designers, as well as mainstreams brands, to showcase their talent. Buyers and investors have been invited to observe and decide which of the fabulous designs on the runway will attract their investments.
The event is produced by Face Of Fashion, a fashion modelling and fashion design management company, in collaboration with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).
“The Caribbean ranks amongst the top in every field on endeavour, including the fashion industry. Caribbean Fashion Tourism 2013 gives talented designers from CTO member countries a stage on which to show off their couture at an exciting one-of-a kind show,” said Carla Hazel, president of Face Of Fashion.

The premier Italian wine brand, VOGA, which has come aboard as a sponsor of the fashion show, will fly their newly minted promotional ambassadors, the VOGUETTES, from Italy for the event. This will be the VOGUETTES’ first ever United States. The national brand ambassador for VOGA, Filippo Lapides, is also scheduled to attend and VOGA is expected to host a VIP tasting lounge, transforming Caribbean Fashion Tourism 2013 into a fashion show with a truly global identity and appeal.

Participating Caribbean fashion designers include Rykardo De Jude Pneuaner from Barbados; Derricia Williamson-Adelle 13 Swimwear from The Bahamas; of Geedaj Jones Designs (Glenda Jones) from Dominica; Carol Fraser – Miracle Hands from Guyana; Haitian fashion designer, Prajje Jean-Baptiste; Gillian Francis-MINKA from Jamaica; Queen Esther (Esther Joseph) Kuumba Designs from St. Lucia; Kimya Glasgow from St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Simon Duncun from Trinidad & Tobago and the mainstream sports wear designer, A+Dreams – Black Heart Fashion. The mainstream brands are Katty Xiomara and Gunas.

Caribbean Fashion Tourism 2013 takes place on Tuesday 4 June from 6:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. at the historical New Yorker Hotel in the heart of the New York’s fashion district. A portion of the proceeds will go to the CTO Foundation, a charity that provides scholarships and grants to deserving Caribbean nationals to pursue studies in tourism and hospitality.

In addition to the fashion show, Georgie will be at the Student Colloquium, which precedes the fashion show; the Caribbean Gospel Celebration on 1 June and Rum & Rhythm on 7 June.

Caribbean Week in New York is supported by American Express, Amora Studios, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Association of Travel Marketing Executives (ATME), the Atrebor Group, the Islands Of The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Butterfly By Design, Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI), Cayman Islands, Caribbean Airlines, Cititech Solutions, College of the Bahamas, CTO Allied Members, CTO Foundation, Departures, Destination Weddings, David Williams Funeral Service, Dominica, Don-Ka-Me-Ly-On Productions, El Dorado, Elite Islands Resorts, the Empire State Building, Face of Fashion, Faces of East, Food & Wine, Friends of Crown Heights Educational Centers, Grenada, Grace Foods, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Hardbeat Communications, Hilton Curaçao, Hyatt Regency Resorts – Caribbean, Islands, Jamaica, JetBlue Getaways, Jewel Resorts, Kalinago Beach Resort, Laura Davidson Public Relations, Local Bozo, MarryCaribbean.com, Martinique, Monroe College, Nassau/Paradise Island, Princess Hotel Guyana, Puerto Rico, Quinn & Company, Raddison Blu Resort, Marina & Spa, Reggae Vibes, Saint Lucia, Sandals Resorts International, Saveur, SOWEB Inc., Tower Isles Patties, St Eustatius, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Martin/St. Maarten, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Travel + Leisure, Trinidad & Tobago, Turnstyle Marketing, Turks & Caicos Islands, Turks & Caicos Islands Community College, University of New Haven, University of Technology Jamaica, University of the West Indies and the United States Virgin Islands.

About the Caribbean Tourism Organization
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), with headquarters in Barbados and offices in New York and London, is the Caribbean’s tourism development agency comprising membership of over 30 countries and territories including Dutch, English, French and Spanish, as well as a myriad of private sector allied members. The CTO’s vision is to position the Caribbean as the most desirable, year round, warm weather destination by 2017, and its purpose is Leading Sustainable Tourism – One Sea, One Voice, One Caribbean.

Among the benefits to its members the organization provides specialized support and technical assistance in sustainable tourism development, marketing, communications, advocacy, human resource development, research and information technology.
In addition the CTO, in partnership with the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association, jointly and equally owns the Caribbean Tourism Development Company, a marketing and business development entity dedicated to promoting the Caribbean brand worldwide.