The Press: THE TODAY NEWSPAPER - Week of Stile and high fashion takes off at Sonesta Maho Saturday

by: The Today Newspaper

GREAT BAY—If you thought last year’s maiden edition of Stile Diva’s Hair and Fashion show was the event of the year in the island’s burgeoning fashion world, wait until you see the Caribbean World Beauty and Barber Trade show presented jointly by Stile Diva Inc. and the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau which begins this Saturday at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort Convention Center from 8:00PM. The fashion and hair show gala event will open in spectacular fashion what is already billed to be a week of style and high fashion designed to position St. Maarten as the regional fashion capital.

International as well as leading St. Maarten hair stylists and fashion designers and models will be participating in this unique blend of avant-garde creativity and serene beauty.

“Last year’s show was a pilot project which has allowed us to expand the program for a whole week this year,” explained Stacy Violenes, co-founder of the event with Shereen Ashman.

“The program is really very exciting. It combines a fantastic runway show with workshops and business sessions, all of which are attracting visitors from the region and beyond, not to talk of the international media attention it will be receiving” said Ms. Regina LaBega, Director of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau.

She added that the event is in line with the recommendations of the St. Maarten Tourism Master Plan, which advocates creating special events for niche markets.

According to Shereen Ashman, Stile Diva CEO, the week-long activity will also feature a model coaching workshop by supermodel Stacey Mackenzie, a “style market” and a career show with mentoring for St. Maarten youth interested in a fashion career.

Monday will be a ‘Business Building Day’ featuring advanced seminars and workshops with an industry networking session.

On Tuesday, the Embellish Fashion Tour will take participants and other guests on a tour of the island’s fashion houses. This will be followed on Wednesday by an all-day Photo Shoot and a Jewelry Festival on Thursday at Diamonds International. The curtain comes down on the week Friday with an all-white beachside farewell party at Holland House.

“This promises to be a week to remember,” said Ms. Labega. She further pointed out that the creators of this unique event are two young St. Martiners, Shereen Ashman and Stacy Violenes. “I urge everyone to attend the activities, in support of the excellent work these two young ladies are doing,” she added.

Tickets are available at US$20 in advance and US$25 at the gate at the two Van Dorp bookstores in Madame Estate and Simpson Bay, as well as at Bianchi’s Boutique and Luchie’s Store in St. Peters.