Hey, Beauties!
Hope life has been treating you well.
So, you guys know I attended the first-ever St. Croix Style Fashion Week, April 4-7, 2019, and I’m here to give you all the deets! Kudos to Jason Gardner and his entire team for a job well done in bringing this wonderful fashion event to the Virgin Islands!
Photo Courtesy: VI Consortium
Here are some highlights and my take on the four days of fab fashion that hit St. Croix.
Day 1, April 4 – Welcome Style Mixer at Cloud 9 Ultra Lounge
This night was a lot of fun! It was an intimate gathering where #ssfw organizers invited friends, visiting guests, local boutique owners, models, media and photographers to mix and mingle.
This was also where I met Joanna of Add-A-Touch Boutique. I swear it seems like we’ve known each other forever! Such a beautiful soul.
Could there be a cynsochic and Add-A-Touch collab coming down the pike…hmmm? Be sure to shop Joanna’s exclusive accessories line at the link above.
The DJ played all the good hits and the food was delish! Guests danced, ate, laughed and chatted it up all night long. I wore my off-the-shoulder, front-bow white top; a pair of skinny, distressed jeans, and nude pumps, and used my leopard pouch as a clutch.
Day 2, April 5 – Red Party at Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts
The Red Party was a good time, too. Of course, the dress code for the night was, you guessed it, red. The event was a preview of the big modeling competition that would take place on April 7, where models competed for V.I. Model of the Year in various categories.
At the Red Party, models gave a brief presentation of what guests could expect at the big show.
That night, there was also a special showcase of local boutique owners featuring items from their stores. You guys already know I was there to support my sis, Lisa, of Sweet Magnolia Fashion Boutique! This segment was cool because instead of the models hitting the catwalk to showcase the boutique items, small groups of guests at a time were invited into the galleries to view the models donning the boutique clothing. It made for an intimate setting where visiting designers could chat with boutique owners.
Lisa, owner of Sweet Magnolia Fashion Boutique on STX 
Models wearing Magnolia!
We met designer Carlton Jones from NYC, Kristin of the BVI’s Trefle Designs, Andrew Ettienne of St. Croix’s own House of Ettienne and others.
At this event, I wore a mini, off-the-shoulder, fitted dress with ruffled arms. I paired it with nude, heeled sandals and my chain-linked purse.
Day 3, April 6 – Style & Beauty Expo at the historic St. George Village Botanical Gardens
I have to admit that the turnout for this event was low, but I cannot understand why! It was a well-planned, power-packed event on the grounds of the beautiful and historic St. George Village Botanical Gardens.
Those of us lucky enough to be there enjoyed an introspective presentation from health and wellness guru, Charlene Springer, about the value and process of allowing oneself simply to feel. Girl, you should have been there!
Then, founder of Caribbean Posh Magazine, Janette Brin, blessed us with the inspiring details of her entrepreneurial journey into magazine publishing, women’s empowerment and the importance of being oneself in life and in business.
Not to mention, there were wonderful local vendors selling goods made right here in St. Croix!
I’m getting these earrings – Add-A-Touch 
What do you think about this gorgeous bib?
I was so impressed with the Exotica84 makeup line, which is made by a young Crucian (the name given to us folks from St. Croix) entrepreneur using only vegan and organic ingredients. One of my faves, Cultured Naturals, was in the house, too!
The day was topped off with delicious pastries and local juices from one of St. Croix’s most-talked-about bakeries, the Sweet Spot Cake Shop.
At this event, I wore a lovely blush-colored, striped maxi dress with blush, tie-front, heeled sandals. I thought this outfit was perfect for a beautiful day at the Gardens.
With Joanna of Add-A-Touch Accessories Boutique 
With decorator extraordinaire, Charisma, of Breathless Occasions 
With Rocki of Caribbean Country radio station
Day 4, April 7 – VI Model of the Year Competition
The grand finale of the St. Croix Style Fashion Week was the signature V.I. Model of the Year Competition, now in its sixth year. As the show’s motto goes, truly it’s “a competition like no other.”
The 18 competing models set the catwalk ablaze in five categories: Female Child Model of the Year, Male Child Model of the Year, Commercial Model of the Year, Male Model of the Year and Female Model of the Year.
Visit @stcroixstylefashionweek or the #ssfw and #stcroixstylefashionweek hashtags on Instagram and Facebook for all the winners and photo highlights. It was a really great evening of style and hard work from all the participants.
My favorite part of the show was the Designer’s Showcase. Whew, chile. The visiting guest designers showed up and showed out!
Photo Courtesy: VI Consortium
Photo Courtesy: VI Consortium
Iconic model Stacie McKenzie graced the runway during the Designer’s Showcase.
While I thoroughly enjoyed all of the designers’ pieces, I particularly was drawn to and enthralled by the Carlton Jones Collection. Easy-breezy, neutral tones, luxe fabrication, exquisite design and attention to detail. His designs are the kind that dressing well and feeling free are made of. I saw a few Carlton Jones items I must get my hands on!
Carlton Jones Collection 
Carlton Jones Collection
Of course, the lovely @trefledesigns from the BVI was a beautiful collection of colors, prints and playfulness with bathing suits, throw-overs, and cute pieces that are just right for our Caribbean weather.
At this event, I work a silk-like, spaghetti-strap dress with ruffle detailing around the chest area. I bought this dress on sale (can you believe for $10??) at H&M over a year ago, and it was the first time I wore it. I loved the color, feel and overall fit of this dress. You guys know I love my clothing at midi length. I pared the dress with a strappy, heeled sandal with gold detailing across the front and ankle.
Well, that’s a wrap for the first St. Croix Style Fashion Week. The organizers should be very proud of themselves. If it was this good this first time around, I can only imagine how much more fab it will be next year! #ssfw #stcroixstylefashionweek
