MAKE IT JAMAICA AGAIN – COLLECTION MODA BROUGHT THE SIZZLING HEAT.

Jamaican singing sensation, The Voice competition winner Tessanne Chin opened the Collection MoDA runway in Kingston, Jamaica, with a stunning rendition of `The Feeling Good.’ She was later joined by soul legend Michael Sean Harris, E Park Band provided the orchestration. Then fashion designers from the USA, the Netherlands, Bahamas, Argentina, British Virgin Islands, and, of course, Jamaica took turns on the lavish runway to showcase their latest creations to a select VIP audience.

First up was YUMI KATSURA, an international designer label, based in New York. `Nature Symphony’ was the name of the collection that revealed a remarkable blend of Japanese traditions and modern elegance in womenswear. The dramatic red print kimono was updated with cool walking shorts underneath. Obi sashes were woven into most of the garments shown. Creative director Paulette Cleghorn explained backstage prior to the show, that everything was inspired by the crane. “In Japanese culture, the Crane bird means good luck,” she pointed out the opening gown of black and white sequins, festooned with crane motifs and feathers modeled by star-model Dani Scott. There was also a symbolic peacock motif used on laser cut fabrics which further embraced the whole east/west blend of modern day fashion.

FLOWER CHILD by Jamaican designer Kaysian Bourke was next on the runway. Clean, sharp looks were her focal points and immediately made this line one of the runway favorites of the evening. Her use of soft beiges, eggshell, and white looked fresh and felt comfortable as a platform for Caribbean luxury. Worthy of note were Flowerchild’s accessories – the oversized bags and African inspired fringed-brim hats.

KAHINDO the new designer from Congo, Africa who is based in New York, showcased her tropical flavor in vibrant color and rich textiles. Inspired by the Bacco houses in Capetown, South Africa and the same colorful cottages she saw in Vienna, Italy, Kahindo showcased her soft, silk-infused dresses and `one suits’ for her cohesive line-up.

JAE JOLLY always bring a refined element of drama and wearability to her collections. This season was no exception. Beginning with easy wide-legged trousers, sexy silk tops, and huge straw hats as the accessory of choice, Jae ignited the runway with a truly luxurious, easy, breezy line, fit for a tropical vacation. A soft silk-cotton, coral sundress featuring flutter sleeves and an asymmetric hemline came down the runway on a new model and reigning “Miss Universe Jamaica” Emily Sara Claire Maddison.

Argentine designer Herbert Tucker showed his SALTA ANDINO line with all the color and plumage of his roots and culture in full effect. Backstage, Herbert, who has been designing for just two and a half years, told me that the line consists of the garments worn by the indigenous Indians of Argentina, and, that he loved being in Jamaica and working with the Jamaican models because they were all tall and extremely skinny.

TREFLE a ten-year-old swimwear company based in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, is owned and created by Kristin Michele. A blaze of well-fitted beachwear made up her resort wear she presented on the runway. Kristen who also designed and created all of her prints should be saluted for coming through at MoDA runway, despite the total devastation during the recent hurricane that hit her island.

Jamaican design label DRENNA LUNA by Arlene Martin was next featured on the runway, and she took us on a romantic fantasy of the `Modern Day Bride’ “I’ve always done one traditional bridal dress in my collections,” said Arlene, a second-time MoDA Runway maker. “I’ve been doing bridal for just one month and decided to do an all bridal collection for MoDA.” Each outfit was well executed in beautiful fabrication and was well received by the appreciative audience.

HOUSE OF BYFIELD by Carmichael Byfield was next on the runway direct from the Netherlands. Byfield was born in Jamaica, grew up in New York and is now living in the Netherlands. The spring/summer line he showed was entitled `Where We Stand’ and was inspired by Africa, so all of the bold colors and jazzy prints were runways ready. Carmichael presented a “mash-up” between men’s bold prints and women’s casual looks. The colorful men’s trousers and suits were a welcomed treat on the runway.

KORTO MOMOLU, the top selling designer at MoDA Marketplace is always a refreshing addition to the MoDA runway. Korto, who got her first shine as a Project Runway and Project Runway All-Stars, runner-up has been coming to Collection MoDA from its inception, said she combined two collections for this runway. “The white collection, in classic cuts, with lots of drapes and beading is all elegance and shine on the runway. It’s not considered bridal, but can be used as such, The resort stuff was Asian inspired,” revealed Korto.”This collection was truly a celebration of woman power and the partnership celebrating the women working together, being bosses, it’s a testament – a salute to women that we can do it. The MoDA team of women has become my sisters,”

Bahamian designer DAVID ROLLE closed out this year’s MoDA runway with an all-black collection, titled, `My Time’. Lots of black chiffons and other sheer fabric with just a hint of glitter peeking through came dancing down the runway. Flared trousers fashioned from a black net, was paired with a top that featured banded bell sleeves. David said he felt more ready this year in terms of what he’s showing at MoDA runway. “It’s the right time, as a millennium we always feel we don’t know where we are going, but now I feel it’s my time.”