The Winners of Islands of the World Fashion Week stand together for a group photo. Left to right: Male Muse Kendrick Kemp, Bahamas; Darcel Van de Vlugt, Trinidad - NextGen Designer; Murielle Leconte of Haiti - Culture & Fashion; Thomas Frenez, VP and Executive Producer IWFW/Mode Iles; Eric Raisina of Madagascar, Seal of Excellence; Owen Bethel, President IWFW/Modes Iles; Beverly Taylor, Harl Taylor BAG, Bahamas - Eco-Fashion Award and Seal of Excellence; Jessie-Ann Jessame of Grenada for Spice Box - Culture & Fashion Award; and Female Muse winner, Giovara Geertriuda of Curacao. Photo: Lyndah Wells

Nassau, Bahamas – Thanks to SkyBahamas, The Bahamas Weekly News Team attended the second annual Islands of the World Fashion Week held at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort from November 5th through 7th, The organizers of the award-winning Islands of the World Fashion Week, organized by Mode Îles, Ltd.

Leading off three days of activities in the fashion-filled air will be The Muse Model Search Competition. Twelve models representing six island nations from the region will compete for the title of Male and Female Model Muse and the opportunity to win $10,000 in cash each and become the face for Islands of the World Fashion Week over the next year. Winners of Male Muse was The Bahamas' own Kendrick Kemp, and the Female Muse was Giovara Geertruida of Curacao.

Five young designers sought for the coveted NextGen Designer Award, and the winner was Darcel Van de Vlugt of Trinidad who was selected on the final night of November 7th . Other contestants were Andrew Harris of Barbados, Phylicia Ellis of Bahamas, Sabrina Stirrup of Bahamas, and Kevin Evans of Bahamas.

Darcel Van de Vlugt of Trinidad wins the NextGen Designer Award. She stands left, with one of her pieces on the model right. She believes people should speak through fashion and style. Photo: Lyndah Wells

Winners of The Seal of Excellence Awards were:

- Eric Raisina of Madagascar

- Beverly Taylor of Harl Taylor BAG of The Bahamas

- K - Bobby of Jamaica

- Murielle Leconte of Haiti

International Guest Designers included Leanne Marshall, last season’s winner of the US television hit reality show, Project Runway; renowned designer Henry N. Jackson, whose creations have attracted the attention of America’s First Lady, Michelle Obama, for her Spring 2010 wardrobe; and the legendary b michael, whose elegant couture designs have adorned stars such as Cicely Tyson.

Beverly Taylor receives the Eco-Fashion Award for Harl Taylor BAG of the Bahamas. The models are holding her bags, and the wedding dress was designed by Grand Bahama designer Basheva Eve. Mrs Taylor's late son, Harl Taylor broke barriers in the fashion industry proving Bahamians can go toe to toe with fashion's elite. Photo: Lyndah Wells

Winning the Sustainable Eco-Fashion Award was Beverly Taylor of Harl Taylor BAG of The Bahamas.

Winner of the Culture & Fashion Award went to Jessie-Ann Jessamy of Grenada for Spice Box.

Other featured designers gracing the runway with their creations were Hesani Cay Designs of The Bahamas, Murielle Leconte of Haiti, Four Seasons Colonade of Barbados.

The panel of judges will consist of Susan Stein, producer of Fashion Week El Paseo of Palm Springs, California and former Marketing Director of Saks Fifth Avenue, Louis Sarmiento, publisher of Fashion Week Daily and Fashion Mini of the IMG Group, producers of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York, and Wayne Sterling, founder of Models.com, the largest internet-based resource for international models.

The event was sponsored by American Airlines, DHL, ghd hair products, Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, TheBahamasWeekly.com, The Montaque Group, and Mode Îles, Ltd.