Local fashion stores are set to benefit from Coco Velvet International’s annual fashion workshop as training will be focused on careers in the retail fashion industry.
Since its launch in October 1997 the fashion management company’s mission has been to support fashion industry development in the Caribbean and establish a reputable fashion centre in Port-of-Spain which hopefully will become the region’s fashion industry’s commercial hub.
A release from Coco Velvet said Christopher Nathan, the company’s CEO and creative director facilitated presentations on a range of fashion industry careers at the Ministry of Education’s National District Career Fair in January and February 2015. Around 38,000 students from 144 secondary schools around T&T attended the fair.
More than 300 candidates expressed their desire to pursue fashion careers and applied for places in this year’s workshop which will be hosted by the National Library and Information System Authority Nalis from June 5 to August 27 at their headquarters in Port-of-Spain. Participation is free for those selected at the workshop’s screening on April 4.
Ninety-two secondary school students participated in last year’s fashion workshop. The fashion design trainees were challenged to conceptualise and construct a mini collection for the resort market. A panel of high profile fashion design experts including Meiling, Heather Jones and Claudia Pegus judged the collections at Makin’ Style on October 19, 2014 at Napa and the top three designers were selected to showcase their collections at Styleweek Port-of-Spain.
The release added that this year candidates who are interested in fashion design will be redirected to the Caribbean Academy of Fashion & Design at UTT and YTEPP, who launched a level II course in fashion design at three of their regional centres in October 2014.
In an effort to improve customer service at fashion retail stores in T&T, Coco Velvet will focus on jobs in fashion retail this year.
Workshop modules include visual merchandising, fashion styling, fashion event management and professional fashion modelling. Visual Merchandising is the co-ordination of in-store displays and activities geared toward increasing store traffic and ultimately sales volumes. Visual merchandisers may also organise trunk shows and other fashion presentations for their store. Fashion stylists work with a variety of media, fashion designers, retailers and private clients, selecting and coordinating fashion looks for a living.
A graduation presentation show, Makin’ Style 2015 will be held at Queen’s Hall on August 26 and 27 to showcase the work of the trainees.
Workshop models will present fashion collections from participating fashion retailers which will be styled by the trainee merchandisers and stylists while the event management trainees will produce all aspects of the show.
Young people with the desire to learn more about fashion are urged to attend the Coco Velvet International Fashion Workshop 2015. For those interested in a career in fashion retail, Coco Velvet is holding interviews on April 4 at 1 pm at Nalis, Abercromby Street Port-of-Spain.
Workshop Criteria
• All workshop participants must be between the ages of 13 to 21.
• Selected candidates are required to pay $100.00 registration Fee
Fashion Model Candidates:
• Female models should be between five feet seven and six feet tall
• Male models should be between five feet eight and six foot three tall
• Female candidates should attend the interview in short, fitted garments with heels.
Hair should be pulled away from face and no make-up will be permitted
• Male candidates should attend the interview in fitted jeans and T-shirt
• For more on the CVI Fashion Workshop 2015
E-mail: cocovelvetinternational@gmail.com
Tel: 620-2316
Visit Coco Velvet International on Facebook: Coco-Velvet-International-Fashion-Model-Management