Coco Velvet International Fashion & Model Management will host a series of fashion events to mark its 25th anniversary. From December 8 – 12 the company will facilitate a Professional Fashion Model MasterClass in collaboration with the Modelling Association T&T (TMATT). The MasterClass is open to graduates of the TMATT Stride Programme as well as aspiring fashion models who wish to pursue international modelling careers in the fashion capitals.
During the three-day workshop participants will be provided with essential industry information such as the criteria for work in the fashion capitals, how to get signed to an international modelling contract, descriptions of industry professionals like casting directors, model management directors and mother agents; a review of the duties and responsibilities of key agency personnel such as bookers and scouts as well as insights into the various segments of the modelling industry.
On Day 3 participants will be exposed to the pitfalls of the industry and how to avoid them plus demonstrations for print/editorial, commercial and runway modelling, how to build a successful social media presence and create a professional book (Models Portfolio).
The CEO noted: “Since 2000 when the first Coco Velvet model was signed to an international agency contract I have been working with directors of several top model managements in the fashion capitals to expand my knowledge of the industry. I was fortunate to be invited to attend several international model contests in Nice, Geneva and Shanghai where T&T models competed for Elite Model Management contracts and I interacted with casting directors, bookers and agency owners gaining critical insight into their operations which I am now able to impart at the MasterClass.
“Due to its competitive nature few models careers last more than five years, many aspiring models quit because of mental health issues mostly due to the fact that they did not know enough of the business and its challenges before they were signed. The MasterClass will ensure that T&T models are well-prepared for long-lasting, lucrative careers.”
Coco Velvet International was launched on October 1, 1997, at 54 Gallus Street Woodbrook with business partner Christel Von Hueck, a Paris-based model agency booker. The fashion and model management had two main goals—to discover, develop and export Caribbean modelling talent and contribute to public and private sector effort to develop T&T’s fashion industry.
To this end, Christopher Nathan initiated the University of T&T’s tertiary-level fashion programme in 2006 and worked at the Caribbean Academy of Fashion & Design from 2007 – 2012 as its Programme Director. In 2007 he launched the Fashion Association of T&T.
FATT, arranged and facilitated meetings for FATT directors to meet with several ministers of Trade & Industry as well as Planning in an effort to convince the government to designate fashion as one of its non-energy economic sectors for national development.
In 2011 Cabinet appointed him to serve on the Fashion Industry Development Committee FIDC at the Ministry of Trade & Industry which was mandated to provide oversight for a feasibility study and manage an RFP for the preparation of a strategic plan for T&Ts fashion industry.
In 2014 Nathan prepared a CVQ Level 2 Fashion Design Curriculum for YTEPPs Retraining Department and in 2016 he was appointed to the board of directors at the Trinidad & Tobago Creative Industries Company Ltd Creative TT.
Coco Velvet has developed and launched successful international careers for 13 T&T models including Naomi Chin Wing – IMG Model Management, Crystal Noreiga – Elite Model Management New York & Select Models London, Anya Camps – Wilhelmina London, Kai Leggard – Click New York, Fallon Cabral – Wilhelmina New York, Michelene Auguste – IMG New York, Paul Pryce – Karin Models Paris, Dominique Armorer – Elite Model Management New York.
The agency’s annual summer fashion workshops have trained over 1,000 secondary school students for various careers in the fashion industry since the workshops began in 2000 and some of the graduates have worked for global fashion brands including Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Versace, Prada, Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren and Burberry
—For more CVI/TMATT Model MasterClass information visit Instagram and Facebook @cocovelvetinternational or @modellingassociationtt Email: tmaott@gmail.com or call 868-297-5317.