Terry Donovan, founder of Summer Sizzle BVI, announces plans for this year’s fashion events, which are scheduled for July 13-18. Photo: NGOVOU GYANG

The BVI Tourist Board often markets the territory’s sun, sea and beautiful beaches, but Terry Donovan hopes to add one more feature: fashion.

Terry Donovan, founder of Summer Sizzle BVI, announces plans for this year’s fashion events, which are scheduled for July 13-18. Photo: NGOVOU GYANG
On Tuesday at the Tortola Pier Park, the New York-based fashion producer announced plans for the eighth annual Summer Sizzle BVI Fashion and Lifestyle Weekend scheduled for July 13-18.

“Why not bring the fashion world to the British Virgin Islands?” Mr. Donovan asked reporters and tourism officials. “My vision is to make the British Virgin Islands the Saint Tropez of the Caribbean. … We want to attract the fashion world and we want them to shine the spotlight on the British Virgin Islands.”

This year, Summer Sizzle, which includes parties and a fashion show, will showcase the work of designers from as far away as Paris, Chile, London and Belgium, Mr. Donovan said. Around 70 models are expected to strut the runway.

Taraji Henson, a star of Fox’s Empire television series, will return to host the event for the third time, and she will be joined by Nigel Barker, an English celebrity known for serving as a photographer and judge on the reality show America’s Next Top Model.

New this year will be an Emerging Designers Showcase, which will feature six aspiring designers from the VI, Mr. Donovan announced.

See the June 9, 2016 edition for full coverage.

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