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Rebecca Stirm Sews Her Way To win #4 on Mission Catwalk

HAVING won challenges on episodes two, four and six, the Belizean Rebecca Stirm's stitched to another win on the Caribbean fashion reality series Mission Catwalk last night.

After a visit to the Hope Zoo in St Andrew, the seven remaining contestants were instructed to design a gown for a charity gala and a second garment for a charity luncheon inspired by one animal from the zoo.

Stirm chose the turtle because it was "an unusual and unique animal that people didn't already have preconceptions about what a dress inspired by that animal should look like," she explains.

Using a patterned fabric, she created a gown with a dramatic neckline, and for the skirt created layers from circular cut-outs that mimic a turtle's shell.

For her second outfit the patterned fabric was more prominent and used for most of the blouse while creating a pencil skirt in a monotone beige.

Host Keneea Linton-George along with the judges Novia McDonald-Whyte, senior associate editor lifestyle and social content at the Jamaica Observer; menswear designer Carlton Brown and guest judge designer Celia Levy, all commended Stirm on the structure of her design. For Levy the fact that it was "wearable" was also highly appealing. Her high scores won her a feature in Style Observer as well as $50,000. Unfortunately this week, Kesia Estwick of Barbados was eliminated. She scored her first win two episodes ago.

Six designers still in the running for the chance to show at London Fashion Week. They are Crystal Powell, Gregory Williams and Janel Jolly of Jamaica, Ryan Chan of Trinidad & Tobago, Kerin Scott of Barbados, and Stirm.

The winner of Mission Catwalk Season Two will also receive $500,000 courtesy of National Commercial Bank to start their clothing line, industrial sewing equipment valued at $200,000 courtesy of Singer, a contract to sell their designs at SOHO boutique, a six-page fashion editorial in Ocean Style magazine and a scholarship to pursue fashion programme at London College of Fashion and to apprentice with Master Savile Row Tailor Andrew Ramroop.

Tune in to Television Jamaica every Tuesday at 8:30 PM for the newest episode from Mission Catwalk Season 2, presented by NCB, Supreme Ventures and Digicel. Each week's episode repeats at 5:30Pm on Thursdays. Mission Catwalk can also be viewed on local stations in Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. Viewers around the globe and watch the online stream at www.televisionjamaica.com/livetv.aspx

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Rebecca Stirm continues to sew her way into Catwalk history

Rebecca Stirm has been creating a storm with her designs on Caribbean fashion design reality series, 'Mission Cat Walk Season Two'. The eighteen year old Belizean won her fourth challenge in episode nine of the show. The remaining seven contestants were tasked to design a gown for a charity gala and a second garment for a charity luncheon inspired by an animal from the Hope Zoo. Stirm decided to do the turtle because it was "an unusual and unique animal that people didn't already have preconceptions about what a turtle- inspired garment should look like."

Using a kaleidoscope patterned fabric similar to the pattern on a turtle's shell; Rebecca created a gown with a dramatic neckline while using layers of different fabrics in circular cutouts to build a skirt that would imitate a turtle's shell while still allowing movement. For her second outfit the kaleidoscope fabric was used for the blouse and the outfit was completed with a beige colored pencil skirt. Winning the challenge earned Stirm a feature in Style Observer as well as five hundred and eighty three U.S dollars.

From week to week, Rebecca has been one of the top contenders and has so far won episodes, two, four, six and nine, making her the designer with the most wins in the competition. The show which features five Caribbean countries now continues with six contestants.

The show airs on Channel Five every Tuesday at eight p.m.

Channel 5

Rebecca Stirm Eliminated from Mission Catwalk Show

Belize's young fashion designer Rebecca Stirm was eliminated from the Mission Catwalk Competition in episode 11 of the Jamaican reality television show that aired last night June 5, 2012. The designer had won four challenges, was never in the bottom ranking and was in the lead in the show; viewers were shocked in the turn of events that lead to her elimination. Winning this episode was Ryan Chan of Trinidad.

Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the Ambergris Today

Rebecca Stirm Gets Wild Card, Returns to Mission Catwalk

AGSelectPR Kingston, Tuesday, June 12, 2012: After a shocking elimination on Mission Catwalk episode 11 where contestants were required to design a mini collection for a fashionista headed to the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Belize's own Rebecca Strim returns to the Caribbean fashion reality series as the 'wild card'.

This second shot at the win is "very exciting and humbling" says the 19 year-old Belmopan resident who won four of the show's 11 challenges and placed safe in three episodes.

"We wanted to see another collection so we had past contestants Kerin Scott (Ne Sera), Janel Jolly (Jae Jolly) and Rebecca show at CFW and ultimately we chose Rebecca as the wild card," says Mission Catwalk host and executive producer Keneea Linton-George who along with regular panelists Novia McDonald-Whyte associate editor lifestyle and social content at the Jamaica Observer and menswear designer Carlton Brown have judged the season two presentations.

On Friday June 8, 12 looks from the Rebecca Stirm Collection were shown at Caribbean Fashion Week (CFW); the region's premiere fashion event. Caribbean Model Search winner (2002) Jaunel McKenzie who has been featured in Vogue, Elle and Essence Magazines walked the CFW catwalk in Rebecca's designs, as did Nell Robinson who has worked for brands such as Victoria's Secret and Agent Provocateur. Miss Universe Jamaica 2012 contestant Caribbean Model Search winner (2008) Crystal Patterson also wore Rebecca's pieces on the catwalk.

Her CFW debut was made possible due in part to local sponsors Belize Bank and Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL). For Rebecca, her experience in Jamaica means that the hard work is paying off.

"From the creation to the collection to fitting the models to seeing the looks out on the runway and getting to walk with my finale piece was a very, very rewarding experience."

If she wins, Rebecca will receive JMD$500,000 courtesy of National Commercial Bank of Jamaica (NCB) towards her clothing line, industrial sewing equipment valued at JMD$200,000 courtesy of singer Jamaica, a contract to sell the designs at SOHO boutique, a six-page fashion editorial in Ocean Style Magazine, a scholarship to pursue fashion program at London College of Fashion, an apprenticeship with Master Savile Row Tailor Andrew Ramroop and the opportunity to show at London Fashion Week in September.

The other designers contending for those prizes are Ryan Chan (Ryan Chan Designs) of Trinidad and Tobago, Gregory Williams (HOD by Gregory Williams) and Crystal Powell (Crystal Christina) both of Jamaica

Tune in on Tuesdayn June 12 to see Rebecca's CFW presentation as well as that of the other contenders. Mission Catwalk airs at 7:30p.m. on Channel 5 and streams live at www.televisionjamaica.com/livetv.aspx

Rebecca Stirm stirs up drama with 'Wild Card' Finale

Some Mission Catwalk viewers were in for a surprise on Tuesday's episode of the Caribbean reality series when instead of seeing Caribbean Fashion Week (CFW) presentations from the final trio, eliminated designer Rebecca Stirm, who also showed at CFW, was brought into the mix as the wild card and a contender for the winning title. Needless to say the top three, Crystal Powell, Gregory Williams and Ryan Chan were caught off guard by Rebecca's return as well.

For her part, 19 year old Belmopan Belize native, who was already preparing a collection for CFW was thankful for the second chance.

"When the judges announced to me that I was being brought back as a wild card I teared up. It's very humbling to know that I have a second shot at winning and going to London Fashion Week."

Rebecca, who won four of the shows 11 challenges, introduced the crowd at Jamaica's National Indoor Sports Centre to her line Rebecca Stirm Collection, which featured her trademark soft dresses.

The marine theme in Powell's collection "Treasure Beach: Where the Desert Meets the Ocean" was evident in her use of different shades of blue and an interesting number which she called the sting-ray dress. The Crystal Christina owner, who specializes in evening wear, says she is now considering swimwear after strong reaction to her first item on the catwalk- a striking black and white one-piece.

Fellow Jamaican Gregory Williams who loves black showed his edgy fashion sensibility with unique constructions set to Lady Gaga no less. When asked if his H.O.D Designs collection will bring him the win, the 28 year-old says "I want to. But if not, I win in my heart."

Rounding up the top four is Trinidadian Ryan Chan of Ryan Chan Designs, whose gladiator-inspired presentation was unified by shades of brown copper and gold.

The designers each presented 12 looks; worn by Pulse models including jetsetters Nell Robinson, Carla Campbell, Jaunel McKenzie and Kimanee Wilson. The collections were judged by regular panelists Mission Catwalk host and executive producer Keneea Linton-George; Novia McDonald-Whyte associate editor lifestyle and social content at the Jamaica Observer and international menswear designer Carlton Brown.

Special guest Kay Davatian (former head of quality control at Jones NY and Ralph Lauren) who first assisted the top three in the prior episode, returned to mentor the finalists during the CFW challenge. The winner, who stands to earn $3 million in prizes including the chance to show at London Fashion Week, will be announced on Tuesday June 19 following a reunion of the top 15 contenders.

Will the wild card cost a designer the title? Who will rule the Catwalk?

Mission Catwalk airs Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. on TVJ and repeats Thursdays at 5:30PM. The series also streams at www.televisionjamaica.com/aspx

AGSelectPR Kingston