By THEA RUTHERFORD ~ Guardian National Correspondent ~ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it :

This evening you'll be checking off Day Two of Islands of the World Fashion Week, but the glitz and glamour that is The Bahamas' very own fashion extravaganza is far from over.

The anticipated Muse Model Search Competition for the male and female face of IWFW sizzled on Runway One last night with the NextGen Designer battle, the Eco-Fashion and Cultural Fashion Designs Presentation and the work of special guest designer from the United States, Leanne Marshall.

Runway Two lights up tonight at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort with more dazzling designs. The showcase features designs by Jessie-Ann Jessamy (Grenada), Hesani Cay Designs (Bahamas) and K-Bobby Couture (Jamaica). The guest designer is American Henry Jackson, a former manager of design teams for Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren and Bally of Switzerland. Jackson, who recently created a spring line inspired by American First Lady Michelle Obama, is also known for his designs for full-figured women.

The fashion showcase begins at 6 p.m.

IWFW "is a collaboration where we try to target fashion trendsetters around the world, specifically in island nations," said Theo Sealey, operations consultant for the event at a press conference last week.

Floating on last year's inaugural sucess, IWFW 2009 brings designers from seven countries to The Bahamas for four days of fashion revelry. Established in 2008 by Owen Bethel, president of Mode Iles, the company that produces the event, IWFW aims to expose the talent of island nation designers to the world. The event enjoys the endorsement of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Fashion Week saw success in its very first year when four designers earned contracts after showing their designs. Earlier this year in April, the event was voted best fashion week by designers at the 2009 Caribbean Fashion Awards held in Barbados.

"We certainly had what we consider a successful event, having won the best fashion week in the region, and we anticipate that this year we will repeat the same excitement and quality of work," said Bethel.

Determined to echo last year's success despite the global economic recession, IWFW returned with a few new features. The Muse Model Search Competition, a collaborative venture between IWFW and Photographer Mark Humes' Models 242, added a competitive edge to the event for models. The scheduling of the show has also been compressed to present all of the fashion showcases in the evenings rather than throughout the day.

Sponsors have clamored aboard once again this year with a variety of luxury brands. L'Oreal Paris, the cosmetics supplier for the event, also offers a make-up bar for guests to sample the product. Santina Smith, the sales and marketing manager for the Beauty Division of Commonwealth Drugs, the local distributor for L'Oreal Paris, expressed the company's pleasure at being a part of the initiative.

"We are elated to be a part of the Islands of the World Fashion Week. We really share the vision that Mr. Bethel and especially Theo Sealey has brought to us in such a short time. L'Oreal Paris, our corporate offices, are supporting us 100 percent," said Smith.

Organizers have highlighted the role that Bahamian companies are playing in this year's event. Bani Shoe Warehouse and L'Oreal Paris are replacing international companies that supplied shoes and cosmetics for last year's IWFW. Local fashion expert Tyrina Neely will act as style consultant.

"For The Bahamas, we're not only sourcing in terms of styling talent, but we will also be employing deejays and sound technicians that are specifically from The Bahamas. So this year around we're really trying to get a lot of Bahamians involved in the production aspect of the show," said Sealey.

Fashion shines for her biggest week on Day Three, Saturday, November 7. Runway Three opens with the work of Haitian designer Murielle Leconte at 5 p.m. at the Sheraton. Four Seasons Colonade (Barbados), Harl Taylor Bag (Bahamas) and Eric Raisina (Madagascar) command Runway Four at 6 p.m. The Awards Presentation is scheduled for 8 p.m., followed by the work of American guest designer b. Michael, whose work has caught the attentions of Nancy Wilson and Lena Horne.

IWFW closes with After-party "Fireworks of Fashion" at the poolside at 10 p.m.

Islands of the World Fashion Week 2009

n Where: Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort, West Bay Street

n When: Nov. 6, 6 p.m.; Nov. 7, 5 p.m.

n Cost: Tickets for Runway 2 - $30, Tickets for Runway 3 - $20, Tickets for Runway 4 (including after-party) - $50. "The Complete Fashionista Event Pass," with all access to shows and After-party, costs $100. Purchase your tickets online by credit card at www.islandsfashionweek.com or at the box office at the Sheraton. You can also call 356 - 6133.

n FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6

6 p.m. — Runway #2

Jessie-Ann Jessamy — Grenada

Hesani Cay Designs — Bahamas

K-Bobby Couture — Jamaica

8 p.m. — Guest designer — Henry Jackson

n SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7

5 p.m. — Runway #3

Murielle Leconte — Haiti

6 p.m. — Runway #4

Four Seasons Colonade — Barbados

Harl Taylor BAG — Bahamas

Eric Raisina — Madagascar

8 p.m. — Awards presentation

Guest designer — b michael

10 p.m. — After-party/fireworks of fashion, poolside at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort

Friday November 6, 2009