Several big names in fashion will be gathering on the Island later this month to help develop Bermuda’s local aspiring fashion talents.

STyle Bermuda owner Shiona Turini has organised “Fashion Factory”, Bermuda’s first conference on fashion, to expose hopeful young fashion professionals to an inside view of the industry’s workings.

“This Fashion Factory conference is such an important event because it will expose young Bermudians to the different aspects of the fashion industry and expose the international fashion industry to Bermuda,” Ms Turini said.

Industry professionals from Vibe Vixen, Seventeen, Christian Dior, Victoria’s Secret, Giant and W have all confirmed they will attend the event, in addition to celebrity stylist Wouri Vice and a buyer from Saks Fifth Avenue.

According to Miss Turini, Bermuda remains virtually “untapped” by the fashion industry.

“In fashion, you always have to look for the next big designer, model, accessories designer et cetera,” she said. “So that means searching and keeping your eyes and ears open for new talent in all areas.

“Bermuda is an untapped resource in that area so that could have also been an incentive for some of the big names to participate.”

The event, which will be at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess on May 26, also aims to expose locals to various careers within fashion, including careers in public relations, magazine styling, modelling, buying and editorial.

Miss Turini said: “I definitely hope participants realise that although modelling is an amazing career option, there are so many other aspects of the fashion industry. There will be representatives with careers at magazines, in PR (public relations), make-up artists and stylists.

“Not many people get access to people from such great companies. The people attending will be able to make contacts that can help participants with their future aspirations.”

Ms Turini, a Bermudian-born fashion professional, is currently the accessories market editor at W Magazine, one of the United States’ top fashion publications.

She explained to The Royal Gazette>that while she always loved fashion as a child, she wasn’t sure what area she would pursue as a career.

“When I was younger I used to be obsessed with my mother’s closet and watching her buy all of her shoes, but I knew that I didn’t just want to wear the clothes — I really wanted to be a part of the industry,” she said.

Though the road to success was not easy for her — including jobs with long hours and little pay — Ms Turini soon found that she had worked her way into the heart of New York’s fashion industry.

She is now doing her best to open up opportunities for other aspiring fashion professionals on the Island.

“The conference will not only expose students to different jobs in fashion, but can also be a gateway to a future career,” she said.

<$>The event will begin with speeches from industry professionals, followed by group activity sessions and then a mock “photo shoot”, which will be judged.

The winning photo shoot session will appear in an upcoming issue of Sixteen ShowOff Magazine. In addition, vybezalliance.tv will be partnering with the event and will give away a designer bag to one “lucky member” before the conference.

At the conference, attendees will learn about how to get started in the fashion industry, for example an aspiring model will be given insider tips on how to get started and what casting agencies are looking for, as well as get feedback on their portfolios, or how to go about getting a portfolio started.

Students who attend will also have the opportunity to ask questions, and give out their resumés, for future internship possibilities, including one aI>W Magazine with Ms Turini in the Accessories Department.

“I am happy that I will be able to offer someone with great style and a hard work ethic a possible opportunity like this,” she said.

Supporters for the event include Department of Tourism, ShowOff Magazine, Morley Productions, Vernae Ingham, Black Presidents Production and Finesse Productions, as well as to the STyle Bermuda family.

“I want to show students that they can take their love of fashion and turn it into a career in both the US and at home in Bermuda,” Ms Turini said.

“I hope they walk away with clarity on the industry and guidance on how to break into it. Careers in fashion are within reach if they want it bad enough and put the work into it.”

To get the most out of the event, only 100 applicants will be accepted.

Students are urged to submit their applications before the May 14 deadline.

Application forms can be found at stylebermuda.bm and should be submitted with a cheque for $130, made payable to STyle Bermuda Fashion Conference, and sent to P.O. Box PG 144, Paget PGBX.

Drop-in applications can be paid in cash.