Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

Jamaican fashion will be shown on the world stage when Uzuri International outfits all 112 women during the opening sequence of 2008 Miss World Pageant Finals.

The designs of the Uzuri International founders, Karl Williams and Mark McDermoth, will be carried live from the pageant, which will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on December 13.

Williams and McDermoth, who are both overseas, were excited about the opportunity that Uzuri International is being given.

"We will be furnishing all 112 contestants in the opening number in designs which were inspired by what we interpret as the brilliance of the Jamaican sunshine, the inviting allure of the Caribbean sea, the spice and excitement of the Jamaican experience and the warmth of the Jamaican spirit," said McDermoth via email.

"I consider this a history-making arrangement for Jamaican and Caribbean fashion designers with the Miss World organisation."

McDermoth said Julia Morley, chairperson of Miss World Limited, dubbed the designs as 'fantastic' and expressed a desire for a future alliance with Uzuri International designs.

Williams was humbled by the experience of working with the contestants and Morley, but also by the response from the Miss World team to the designs.

Morley embraced designs

"It is so amazing how Mrs Morley has embraced our designs and has placed faith in a small organisation from Jamaica to design and manufacture the opening pieces for this prestigious show with a history of more than 50 years. This is exciting news, but it is also a humbling experience and sometimes I have to pinch myself to remind me that this is really happening," Williams said.

Uzuri International has been outfitting Miss Jamaica World contestants for more than 10 years. Hence, it is no surprise that Miss Jamaica World 2007 Yendi Phillipps has worn Uzuri International designs many times.

"I have worn Uzuri on countless occasions. For the Miss World Pageant in 2007 they provided 20 pieces. I even wore an Uzuri dress today," said Phillipps.

She said an Uzuri piece she wore at the Miss World 2007 finals was Most Beautiful Evening Gown on globalbeauties.com, done through a public vote. However, the dress was not chosen as best gown at Miss World 2007.

Phillipps said she was proud of the Uzuri International duo of Williams and McDermoth because they deserve the recognition they have received.

"I am very happy for Karl and Mark. They have been doing this for a long time and they are just getting their due. They are great designers and the sky is the limit for them," Phillipps told The Sunday Gleaner.

"I don't think anything is impossible. This is the perfect example of the fact that we can do quality things and be on par with other world designers."

Pulse CEO Kingsley Cooper said Uzuri International has also worked with Miss Jamaica Universe for many years and has shown designs at the yearly Caribbean Fashion Week. He also believes Uzuri International is deserving of the opportunity.

"It's an excellent development. For a long time they (Williams and McDermoth) have been dedicated to the Jamaica and Caribbean fashion industry and to enhancing their craft. This is just reward and recognition," Cooper told The Sunday Gleaner.

"I have no doubt that they will do an excellent job at Miss World."

"It is obviously a significant recognition of what we are capable of and one can only hope that these kinds of opportunities lead to increased business (in the Caribbean)," Cooper said.

Designer Julan, a member of the Jamaica Fashion and Apparel Cluster, said she also believed this move would help to bring increased business opportunities to local designers.

"Absolutely. It would help (to expose Jamaican designers), because it will be shown worldwide. They (Uzuri International) are great designers," said Julan.

She said it would be nice to see more local designers on the Miss World stage showcasing their creations in the future.