Miss Bahamas Organization’s director of media relations, Jerome Sawyer holds a BTVI student’s sketch, and is seen here with events manager, Zhivon Young,as they view a BTVI’s student sketch for the Top Model competition slated for August 8th, 2015.
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Fashion Design students of The Bahamas Technical and
Vocational Institute (BTVI) will have an opportunity of a lifetime this summer
when they showcase their talents during the Miss Bahamas Organization’s (MBO) Top
Model competition.
Dubbed Fashion in the Sky, the competition slated for August
8th, 2015, is one of the preliminary events of the Miss Universe
Bahamas and Miss World Bahamas pageants.
Each pageant contestant will be paired with a current or
former BTVI student during one of the fashion show scenes.
MBO’s Director of Media Relations, Jerome Sawyer said while
there will be judges to find the top model among contestants, there will also
be judges to find the top designs on the runway. A winner, along with first and second
runners-up will be chosen.
“The fashion show will be held in an airplane hangar at the
airport around a plane. Just think of
the excitement it generates. Anything we
do as an organization, we do big,” stressed Mr. Sawyer.
“In another five years, people will be clamoring to come to
Top Model to see what BTVI will showcase. See this as an opportunity to have
this on your resume. Designers, to this
day, still list their affiliation with former beauty queens on their resumes,” he
told students.
Mr. Sawyer first saw students’ work during BTVI’s
Pre-Valentine’s Day Soiree in February when he was the Master of Ceremony. What
he saw captivated him.
“I saw a unique opportunity. I was impressed with the level
of work from BTVI’s fashion students. I
thought it was a great opportunity to give them exposure to provide pieces for
contestants and eventually title holders,” said Mr. Sawyer.
This is MBO’s 10th year of existence and
according to Mr. Sawyer, the organization is determined to change its focus.
“In the past, we were looking for sponsorship. In this evolving world, we’re looking for
partnerships. It’s a lasting
partnership. In some instances, you can’t
put a monetary value on partnerships,” he stated.
The winner and runners-up will each design three to four
signature pieces and be paired with Miss World Bahamas, Miss Universe Bahamas or
her first runner-up, Miss Earth Bahamas. Each queen will reserve one of the
pieces for an international competition.
“If your gown goes to Miss Universe, Miss World or Miss
Earth, do you know what bragging rights you have? And remember, they have to take a month’s
worth of clothing with them. Every day,
she’s out there, whether it’s an auction, tour of the city or rehearsal.
Whatever she wears gets attention. We
want to offer that opportunity to you,” said Mr. Sawyer.
BTVI and MBO have been affiliated before as the 2013 Miss
Universe Bahamas, Lexi Wilson, received a scholarship grant to the institution.
Also, Miss Universe Bahamas 2014, Tomacina Culmer is a former Auto Mechanics
student at BTVI in Grand Bahama.
BTVI senior craft instructor Kathy Pinder expressed
excitement over the possibilities the arrangement will bring for the
institution and MBO.
“It will give students exposure. This is a way to be discovered,” she said of
the mutually beneficial relationship.
BTVI 2006 Fashion Design graduate Trineil Hanna is presently
working on his sketches and sees this as a wonderful prospect, stating that
it’s another step to put BTVI students on the map. Meanwhile, current student,
Delano Marc said the exposure would be priceless.
“I am taking the opportunity for what it is and I am
honoured. I actually want to do pageant
work so it allows me to shine,” said the 23-year-old.
BTVI’s Acting President, Dr. Iva Dahl is thrilled at the
possibilities that can emerge from the collaboration, noting that students’
confidence will grow from such an experience.
“I trust this partnership will be fruitful to the Miss
Bahamas Organization and our students.
It is a great opportunity for exposure for students, which they may not
have gotten otherwise. We will live up
to the quality you expect,” she said assuredly.