Santo Domingo, October 22, 2015. After ten (10) years Dominicana Moda can certainly claim to be the one of the most prestigious and important fashion events in the Caribbean and Latin America. Over the past 5 years the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) has supported Caribbean designers’ participation at the event and this year will facilitate the participation of designers from Haiti and the Dominican Republic within the framework of the Haiti-DR Bi-National Programme.

At the events press conference yesterday National Authorizing Officer for the EDF, General Directorate of Multilateral Cooperation Amb. Antonio Vargas Hernandez highlighted their commitment to the industry stating that “The General Directorate of Multilateral Cooperation of the Dominican Republic (DIGECOOM) is committed to contributing to our competitiveness through the support of initiatives that foster trade and investment at the National, Regional and International level. In this sense, we have joined efforts with the European Union and Caribbean Export to expose in Dominicana Moda 2015 a sample of the talent and creativity found in the fashion industry of our beautiful Caribbean region”.

Within a shared space accessory designers from the Dominican Republic; Ela Design Studio, Rosas de Cristal, Son de Mar, Los Tejedores will be joined by Haitian designers; Bijou Lakay, Haiti Design and TMEL Collections bringing a diverse range of accessories using various materials and indigenous techniques for production. In addition seasoned fashion designers from Haiti David André and Miko Guillaume will present their collections on the runway.

“Promoting the fashion industry is more than dressing elegantly and creatively, it is supporting the human talent, recognising the cultural wealth of an entire region, working to develop a production chain that generates employment opportunities and builds an industry that competes globally. The European Union believes so, thus we support the development of this industry in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean.” H.E. Am. Alberto Navarro, Chief of the Delegation of the European Union to the Dominican Republic commented in his remarks.

There is a wealth of talent found across the regions fashion industry and as noted by Deputy Executive Director of Caribbean Export, Mr Escipion Oliveira “The regional cooperation in cultural and business grounds is at the center of the strategy implemented by Caribbean Export, BONFED, DIGECOOM and the European Union with aims to strengthen the sustainable development of the CARIFORUM countries. In this context, Dominicana Moda 2015 constitutes ideal scenery to promote the synergies between the Haitian and Dominican designers to celebrate the talent and diversity of these sister Nations.”

Participants this year will also be amongst one of the world’s most iconic designers Jean-Paul Gaultier who will help commemorate the 10year anniversary with his haute couture collection on the final day of the event, 24^th October, 2015