“Hot, hot, hot” is the message JaKoMa Entertainment will be conveying with fire as the theme of its upcoming ‘Gosling’s Summer Sizzle Fashion Show’, set for July 15 on the upper level of Bulls Head car park.

“The fire theme colours of red, yellow and orange will be repeated throughout the event, right from the red carpet leading from the elevator and steps, as well as Tiki torches all around the upper level, so all you will see from a distance is flames, and a special flame treat will be a surprise feature for the patrons,” JaKoMa’s senior CEO and co-founder Lamont Robinson says.

Indeed, purchasers of patron tickets can expect to be treated royally as they sit, three to a table, in a VIP area, with hostesses catering to their every whim. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and wines will be provided for each table, as well as individual keepsake gifts.

Thirty-six models — 23 female and 13 male — all of whom have to meet specific criteria — will strut the 128-foot runway, presenting the latest fashions from Rapture (a web-based store), Calais, Upscale Fashions, The Edge, A.S. Cooper’s, New Life, 27th Century Boutique, and Boutique C C.

“The theme is fire, and the fiery passion will energise the audience, encouraging them to be uninhibited and confident in their choice of summer fashion, and encourage Bermudians to shop at home rather than leave the Island to shop for the summer,” Mr. Robinson says.

Lead models will be Stacy Dawson, regarded as Bermuda’s top model — a term coined by JaKoMa; Miss Italia Bermuda Christina Troja, back from Italy with a freshly-polished style; and up and coming star Alexandria Anderson.

“People can expect to see great fashions and make-up and fascinating hair-dos created by professionals to international standards, which will be almost a precedent for the Island,” Mr. Robinson says.

The hosts and hostesses are also models, and will be part of the opening act.

“Their role is to make sure that every guest has the most unique experience ever,” Mr. Robinson says, revealing that main sponsor Gosling’s will be creating six unique drinks for the occasion, the ingredients of which will be described in a special souvenir programme, and which the hostesses will serve as they circulate.

In addition to the parade of fashions, there will be special pre-show, intermission and end of show performances.

“The opening act will set a precedent for the entire show, and feature everyone involved,” Mr. Robinson says. “Nicole Burgess, an extraordinary vocalist and performer, will be heard during the intermission, while Sea Breeze Salsa will perform as a finale.”

Two large screens will be positioned to ensure no one misses any of the action.

Large umbrellas will add to the overall theme of summer sizzle and toilet facilities will be provided.

A cocktail hour at 7.30 will precede showtime at 8.30 p.m. sharp. Parking will be on the third level of Bulls Head, and there will be strict security to ensure that all goes smoothly.

“JaKoMa promises a show that will grab the Island’s attention and be a 2007 highlight,” Mr. Robinson says.

As always, part proceeds will go to charity — on this occasion, the Women’s Resource Centre.

JaKoMa Enterprises was founded in 1999 by three enthusiastic young men, including Mr. Robinson, Daren Herbert and Jonathan Talbot, whose love of entertainment inspired them to want to raise the standard of local productions and artists to international standards.

The first year saw the company make its mark in fashion, while the second year saw a similar thing happen in the music industry, when it launched an annual J2K vocal competition for Bermuda’s most talented youth.

Soon it will launch its all-talent agency, JaKoMa NeX, for models, singers, dancers, hosts and hostesses, which will serve as a “one-stop shop” for clients seeking talented Bermudians for advertising or various other events. On the last Sunday of each month there will be a casting class for children and “‘real people” — a fashion term for regular citizens who are not glamorous models but are used, for example, in photographs as diners in a restaurant or background spectators.

“We are going to send out flip books to all interested clients, including retail stores and photographers, and it will be the first of its kind presented across the Island,” Mr. Robinson says.

In fact, JaKoMa has provided models, dancers, actors and hostesses for a variety of clients, and after the Summer Sizzle fashion show, all of the participating models will be able to decide if they wish to be represented by the new agency.

“We own our own building, so we can have a casting call for any company wishing to come and see the models for themselves,” Mr. Robinson says.

Looking to the future, JaKoMa hopes that its semi-annual fashion shows will grow into semi-annual Fashion Weeks which people will fly in specifically to attend, just as they do in Paris, London and other fashion capitals.

“Bermuda really deserves this. There is so much talent here, and we have so much to offer that we want people to come here and see what we have to offer,” Mr. Robinson says.

l For ticket prices and points of purchase see the Bermuda Calendar. For further information on the models and the event see www.jakoma.com