Tomas Frenes, Nick Verreos, Kevan Hall, Susan Stein, Owen Bethel and David Paul. Photo: Lyndah Wells

Nassau, The Bahamas - A fashion feast lasting four days was deemed a huge success by participants and guests of the inaugural Islands of the World Fashion Week, which took place from November 5th to 8th primarily at the British Colonial Hilton, as well as the Atlantis on Paradise Island. The Mode Iles Ltd team, headed by Mr. Owen Bethel are to be congratulated on putting forth a top-notch world class event.

Island countries represented were Cuba, Fiji, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Madagascar, Barbados, St. Lucia, Jamaica, and of course The Bahamas. Three international guest designers, Peter Ingwersen of NOIR Illuminati II from Denmark, Nick Verreos of Nikolaki from the United States, and Kevan Hall also from the United States of America.

Some of the  Celebrity judges were Nolé Marin (America's Next Top Model), Alphadi (Paris based designer from Niger), Susan Stein (fashion editor of Palm Springs Life magazine), and designer Nick Verreos (Project Runway on Bravo TV).

The Winner of the 'Sustainable Eco-Fashion' Award was Queen Esther  ( Kuumba Designs) from St. Lucia; and Tamiko Browne ( Tami B Designs)  from St. Vincent took two awards, one for 'Culture and Fashion' and also the 'NextGen' Award. Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc was presented with a Humanitarian Designer Award for achievements in AIDS awareness, poverty alleviation, and more. Each recipient was awarded a uniquely designed and crafted Waterford Crystal piece.

International visitors were pleased that on three of the four nights of the event, an after-party took place, those being at the Bahamas National Trust (The Retreat), the Marley Resort, and the final night after-party was hosted by Peter Nygard at Nygard Cay.

The Bahamas News Team was on hand to provide photo and video coverage and have many upcoming articles/videos in store for our audience. Stay tuned...

Tamiko Browne (Tami B Designs) from St. Vincent took two awards, one for 'Culture and Fashion' and also the 'NextGen' Award. Tamiko is seen here on the right with one of her designs. Photo: Lyndah Wells

The beautiful models of Islands of the World Fashion Week 2008, many of whom are Bahamian. Photo: Lyndah Wells

The winner of the 'Sustainable Eco-Fashion' Award Queen Esther (Kuumba Designs) from St. Lucia. Queen Esther is seen left with her winning design. Photo: Lyndah Wells

The Bahamas Weekly would like to THANK our sponsors for this event: Ministry of Tourism Grand Bahama Island in particular, Betty Bethel;  Bahamas Air;   and Gladys Munksnaes, owner of  Elite Loft (242-351-1364) in Grand Bahama Island (for Ms. Whachell's wardrobe); and a special thank you to Owen Bethel, Iles Mode Ltd (Islands of the World Fashion Week) and his team.

We couldn't have provided our coverage without the help of our photographer "All is Well" Lyndah Wells!

Nick Verreos (Bravo's Project Runway and Nikolaki Designs) with The Bahamas Weekly photographer Lyndah Wells.

Kevan Hall with models from his collection and members of the Yves St. Laurent makeup team, Teresa Gonzalez and Sergio Palmer. Photo: Lyndah Wells

Over the coming weeks and months, STAY TUNED for:

Video of Awards Presentation with Owen Bethel
Video of Kevan Hall Fashion Show
Video Interview with Nick Verreos
Interview with Nolé Marin
Video Interview with Tamiko Browne (winner of NextGen and Culture & Fashion)
Video Interview with Jeff St. John (Bahamas)
Video Interview with Basheva Eve (Bahamas)
Various Photo Slideshows presenting the many designers
Audio Interviews with various designers, models, etc.

Nick Verreos with models in his Nikolaki Designs stands center, with his parents, niece and nephew on the left of the photo and his Nikolaki partner David Paul on the right with Mr. Owen Bethel (Iles Mode Ltd) far right. Photo: Lyndah Wells