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What do we do now that the 2018 MoDA Series is over? Well, first we reflect on how amazing it all was! Duh!
It can't be denied that when it comes to creating magical retail experiences centered around culture, The Collection MoDA reigns supreme. This year’s series was undeniably a year of growth for the platform as it made notable steps towards its goals of fostering the growth of the region’s creative talent and making Kingston, Jamaica the Caribbean’s creative hub. As the year comes to a close and we anticipate next year’s series, (which the gifted ladies of the MoDA Team have probably already started planning!) let’s take a look at all the magical moments from the MoDA Series 2018…
MoDA Talks: Before MoDA Market, the team makes it their mission to get their MoDA Makers (designers and exhibitors) ready for the series i.e. wholesale and retail ready. In light of that, MoDA kicked off the year's magic with an intensive business development workshop to help it's creatives realize the steps they need to take to build sustainable business models and brands. The workshop was free to the platform's MoDA Makers and open to the public at a fee. As MoDA Director Aiesha Panton expressed, at MoDA they don't believe in 'starving artists'. So cheers to more creatives with profitable businesses!
MoDA Pop-up Series: The series took a turn for the fabulous with it's pop-ups! Every week the team partnered with a key sponsor of the series to host specially-invited guests and celebrate this year's theme: HER. The pop-ups were intimate gatherings and the leads shared with guests different- makeup, hair, styling, and even mixology,- tips and hacks that they could use to celebrate the Goddesses within everyday! We saved a few highlights just for you; take a look:
MoDA Dinner Party: This intimate dinner party was all about celebrating the platforms amazing partners and sponsors who, year after year, work closely with the MoDA team to help create the magic that both patrons and MoDA Makers have become so accustomed to. No one could have imagined, though, how MoDA Director and Curator Aiesha Panton would have transformed CPJ Market for the event (Take a look at the breath-taking setting below!).
Of course, it wouldn't be a dinner without some delicious food. The menu, which was crafted just for the occasion, composed of a delectable four-course meal which tantalized the taste buds of all in attendance.
It's safe to say it was an enchanting night for all!
MoDA Runway: As one of the most anticipated nights of the series, MoDA Runway 2018 did not disappoint. The elite and stylish came out to view the collections, of emerging and established Caribbean designers, that they would shop a few days later at MoDA Market. Songstress Tessanne Chin, whose vocals were accompanied by the talented EPARK Jazz band, serenaded the crowd with her surprise of an opening piece.
MoDA Market: The grand finale to the series was trailblazing to say the least! Patrons who attended were surprised to see just how much the Market had expanded with this year's staging. In addition to the customary shopping sections (which welcomed more makers and wholesale buyers this year), MoDA Eats and MoDA Kids, the MoDA Market platform added two new sections under its umbrella: MoDA Reads and MoDA Music. The Reads section hosted Jamaican Authors with recently published books and MoDA Music, in collaboration with New Wave Jamaica, featured live performances by emerging local artistes.
Despite a few hiccups, that were notably out of the team's control, MoDA Market 2018 was an overall success thanks to generous sponsors, a dedicated team and passionate exhibitors.
You can see more awesome moments in the albums on their facebook page @TheCollectionMoDA. We look forward to all the #MoDAMagic awaiting us in 2019!
Happy Holidays until next time!