Entertainment
BVI models gain international exposure at New York Fashion Week
By Terry Donovan
(PRESS RELEASE) — From Summer Sizzle BVI to New York Fashion Week, BVI models graced the runways.
Summer Sizzle BVI has created a winning platform for BVI models and other fashion industry creatives by providing unparalleled professional training and mentorship from globally renowned fashion designers, top models, celebrity makeup artists, hairstylists and photographers.
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We celebrate and champion the successes of fashion professionals who gained their start on the Summer Sizzle BVI stage. This season at New York Fashion Week’s Fall 2023 collections was no exception.
BVI model Xaria Penn and St. Maarten/BVI model Dani Carbon walked for several designer runway shows such as Cesar Galindo, House of Bdellom, Rois Revent, Naranji, Epta Wear, Safa Designs, Badgley Mischka and Cucculelli Shaheen.
Last September, BVI model Arielle Bell walked for several designers at New York Fashion Week. Designers included Charles & Ron, Giannina Azar, Mister Triple X, Hirun Phromma and Cesar Galindo.
Arielle also walked for several designers at LA Fashion Week which included Walter Mendez, Coral Castillo and Sergio Tacchini. She was featured on her first cover for Style Cruze Magazine.
Terry Donovan, Founder and Producer of Summer Sizzle BVI, stated: “When I created Summer Sizzle BVI in 2008, there were very few residents interested in the fashion Industry. Since the event’s inception, there is an ever-increasing interest from local youths in fashion, beauty and photography. We have seen the confidence, skills and self-esteem develop in local aspiring models, designers and other creatives. Past participants have shared with us that they have gained confidence which helps them throughout their lives and careers.”
New York Fashion Week #NYFW held bi-annually is where fashion designer and brands display their latest collections to buyers, media, celebrities, stylists, influencers.
The event influences the upcoming fashion trends for the current and upcoming seasons. In February, the designers show their Fall Collections which usually hit stores by August and in September they show their Spring/Summer Collections for the following year and usually hit stores in January after the Holiday Season.
Follow Summer Sizzle BVI on social media @summersizzlebvi and website – SUMMERSIZZLEBVI.COM
Entertainment
Tortola Welcomes Exclusive Japanese Dining at 1748 Sushi Bar
Entertainment
Twelve Contestants to Compete in Haynes Smith Ms. Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant
The Haynes Smith Ms. Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant returns on December 29 in the British Virgin Islands.
Twelve remarkable young women from across the Caribbean will showcase their cultures, share their dreams, and connect with their communities.
Representing the British Virgin Islands is Ms. Asha Hyndman, a young woman whose commitment to her heritage, health advocacy, and future dreams has already inspired many around her. Asha’s platform, Looking Good: Eye Care Education for All, hits close to home. Living with Keratoconus, a progressive eye condition affecting her vision, Asha understands the challenges that come with an invisible condition. “Eye health is often overlooked, but I know firsthand how deeply it can affect your life,” Asha shares. Through her platform, she hopes to educate others, raise awareness about vision care, and show compassion to those with similar challenges.
Asha’s ambitions extend beyond healthcare advocacy. She is passionate about Moko Jumbie, the traditional stilt-walking art of the Caribbean that embodies both skill and storytelling. “Moko Jumbie is more than a performance; it’s our culture in motion,” she says. Asha envisions making this art form more visible, from local celebrations to global stages, while also mentoring young performers to ensure this tradition endures. “It’s an honor to be part of something that has stood the test of time, and I want to keep that spirit alive,” she adds.
On the academic front, Asha has set her sights on becoming an ophthalmologist, a dream shaped by her own experience with vision issues. After completing her studies in Biology, she hopes to establish an ophthalmology practice in her home country, expanding it across the Caribbean over time. “I want to give people in my community the kind of specialized care that they often have to leave the island to find,” she explains. She even has her sights set on collaborating with the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, a move she believes will bring top-quality eye care within reach for Caribbean residents.
Yet Asha’s ambitions reach even further. A lover of travel and discovery, she’s been inspired by the adventures of popular travel vloggers Kara and Nate, and she’s eager to explore every corner of the world—particularly the remote beauty of Antarctica. “There’s so much to learn from different cultures, landscapes, and experiences,” she says with excitement. “Travel gives you a new perspective on life, and I can’t wait to broaden my own.”
The Haynes Smith Ms. Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant has long been a space for young women like Asha to celebrate their identity and passions. It’s more than a pageant—it’s a gathering of dreams and the shared spirit of the Caribbean’s next generation. As December approaches, these twelve contestants aren’t just preparing for a competition; they’re ready to step into the spotlight, showing the Caribbean and the world what they’re made of. This year’s pageant promises to be a heartfelt tribute to the strength, talent, and future of the islands.
Entertainment
MHV Resorts and Hotels Unveils the Cane Garden Bay Beach Hotel in Tortola
MHV Resorts & Hotels has officially taken the reins of Quito’s Luxury Inn and Quito’s Gazebo Restaurant & Bar, following months of negotiations. The resort group, led by prominent Virgin Islands businessman Mark Vanterpool, assumed control of the well-known Cane Garden Bay properties on October 1, 2024. As part of the transition, the hotel will be rebranded as The Cane Garden Bay Beach Hotel by MHV Resorts and Hotels.
MHV Resorts & Hotels has a robust 40-year history in the British Virgin Islands, with a portfolio that includes supermarkets, restaurants, and now high-end hotels. Their expansion into the hospitality industry reflects the group’s commitment to enhancing the BVI’s tourism offerings and providing quality service for both locals and visitors.
In a statement, Vanterpool expressed his enthusiasm for the project, saying, “MHV Resorts and Hotels is excited to join the vibrant Cane Garden Bay community, a cultural and tourism icon in the BVI. We look forward to creating employment opportunities and collaborating with local businesses to foster sustainable growth, while preserving the bay’s unique charm.”
The renovated restaurant, formerly known as Quito’s Gazebo, will reopen in the coming month under the new name Rhythm & Sands, continuing its legacy as a beloved destination for music and good times. Guests can expect a perfect blend of fine dining and the laid-back rhythms that have long made Cane Garden Bay a favorite in the BVI. The hotel is set to open shortly after, just in time for the 2024-2025 tourist season.
With this transition, any uncertainty surrounding the future of the historic property can be laid to rest. The new Cane Garden Bay Beach Hotel promises a luxurious escape where guests can enjoy the tranquil beauty of the bay and the soothing sounds of the sea.
To book your stay or learn more about the new hotel and restaurant, visit: CaneGardenBayBeachHotel.net. For official updates, visit MHVresortsandhotels.com.
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