By SEETA PERSAD Friday, June 22 2012

The cool southern breeze will compliment an open-air ambiance, enticing music, alluring fashion, live models and designers for the opening of San Fernando Fashion Week (SFFW) tonight.

This much anticipated three-day event will run until Sunday (June 24) at the San Fernando Hill (Palm's Club entrance on Point-a-Pierre Road). “Cultures of Fashion, Many Cultures One People,” is the theme of Fashion Week, which is in its seventh year.

This evening’s grand opening will take the form of a “meet and greet” to welcome foreign designers in an intimate setting with models and media.

There will also be a tribute to the nation in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Independence.

Tomorrow (Saturday) is “Retailer Day” which gives the retailers and models the opportunity to promote their stores and showcase their upcoming seasonal styles for graduation and summer.

This forum will also be used to communicate with retailers on buying local design labels to be showcased in their stores.

On Sunday there will be the “Roll Out Gala Runway Event” where the 2012/2013 designer collections will be revealed on the runway.

This event promises to be not only entertaining but will deliver a structured content of collections that can move straight from models to patrons as there can be actual purchase on the spot for both wholesalers and retailers in attendance.

The SFFW committee will be bringing in manufacturers to supply all the collections shown on the runway at this Gala. Designers have since issued a call for retailer/store owners to take this opportunity to get a first hand view of these high fashions as all the 2012/13 collections will be ready for the local and foreign markets.

This year SFFW showcases products in local aesthetics of jewelry and handy craft, which will be on display at booths upon entry at the Gala Runway Showing.

The public will be welcomed from 4 pm to the opening of the booths and craft displays and are asked to be seated at 5.30 pm to witness the Gala Event.

Designers on the 2012 edition of SFFW include National Award winner and fashion guru Claudia Pegus who will present her latest exquisite collection, as well as landmark designers from south Trinidad – Zadd and Eastman, Shawn Griffith Perez, Deron Attzs Design, Geopa Designs, Karmelo Kouture, Kelise Cowie Design, Carayne Designs, SNS Designs, Anthony Redhouse Fashion, Faith Styles, Just Virtuous Designs, Artwithattitude, Cherylann Design, Masheru Designs, Chater Designs, Kezzy Ottley Design, Toxic and Creola Designs.

Sponsors for SFFW include: Trade Winds Hotel and Conference Centre, Mud Cosmetics, Caribbean Belle, Miguel Moses, San Fernando Arts Council, TDC and Yeller Direct.