Left: An international saint, Kareen Taylor. Right: Saint model Tafari Hinds. - Contributed
After a recent stint in New York where he confirmed representational contracts with fashion industry's top agencies for his models, Saint International boss Deiwight Peters is claiming bragging rights as the world's single largest provider of Afro-Caribbean models to the fashion industry.
Creing Wittingham and Casmar James - Fashionface of the Caribbean male winners for 2007 and 2008 respectively - were recently confirmed for Fusion Models. They join Sasha Gaye Hunt at that agency.
'Take over world'
It would be an understatement to say that James is happy at the news. "I am ecstatic. I can't wait for next year to go over there and take over the world," he said. "Strangely enough, though, I see it as a stepping stone to inspire hope, to encourage people to dream big."
James said he hopes he becomes successful enough to help his family and give back to his community.
Wittingham said this was an opportunity he was looking forward to. "This is an amazing achievement," he said. "I have wanted to work in New York for the past two years, having already worked in Europe. I am looking forward to working with Fusion, hoping that they will take my career to another level."
IMG offered a contract to Veneica Bennett, who joins 16 year-old stunner, Chantel Lee in the development division of the agency.
"It's phenomenal," Bennett said reacting to her contract offer. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am thrilled to have been chosen."
IMG is home to many of the world's top models, including Brazilian Giselle Bundchen, who earned a reportedly historic US$35 million for a five-year Victoria Secrets deal, as well as Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Heidi Klum.
Selecting muse models
The highly selective Muse Models has reconfirmed Sheena Moulton as its new face to start 2009. In London, top agency Models 1, has confirmed Sheena Moulton for its new faces board, while Independent (formerly ICM) has signed Chantel Lee.
Premier, Take2, FM, and Bookings are other top London-based agencies that represent Saint Models and B1 Models-New York has confirmed representation for Saint's top international male model Tafari Hinds, the face of legendary British designer Vivienne Westwood and Robert Taylor. Boss Models has signed Colet Buckley.
"Saint always had one main objective - that it should be the premier source of the best model faces from the Caribbean to the global fashion market," said a confident Saint CEO Deiwight Peters.
Best agencies in the world
After the agency was promi-nently featured in V Magazine among the best agencies in the world and an extensive spread on e-zine the ones2watch.com, it is hard to argue with the success of this agency in introducing in-demand new faces to the fashion world.
Six other Saint models have representation in New York with agencies such as Red Models, Code and Elite Models. "I have received calls from Germany, Israel and Japan from clients who said they were told that if they want an agency of great black faces then Saint International - Jamaica is the place and that's the kind of positioning we have always wanted," Peters boasts.
Saint maintains its Paris lead with Major Models (Sasha Gaye Hunt), Studio KLRP (Kareen Taylor), Elite Paris (Sosheba Griffiths), IMG (Chantel Lee) and Metropolitan (Jotasha Turnbull).
Saint's global network also extends to top South African agencies Base and Zero; Spain's ABC and Uno; Germany's Modelwerk, Model Management, and East West Models; Singapore's Mannequin and Ave; Milan's Elite and Why Not Models and Dubai.
Saint models have worked with the world's top clients, including Victoria Secrets, Yves St Laurent, Giorgio Armani, Vivienne Westwood, Agent Provocateur, Italian Vogue, Elle Magazine, Moschino, Dolce and Gabanna, Calvin Klein, American Apparel, Diesel Jeans, Levi's Jeans, PUMA Fragrance and GQ Style.