Jamaican-born international male model Oraine Barrett has a big assignment in New York this month. The Pulse model, best known for appearing in campaigns for Ralph Lauren, Baby Phat, Liz Claiborne and GQ will join reality TV star Yandy Smith of VH1’s “Love and Hip Hop” at the sixth annual Irie Fashion Rave (IFR) and Hair show at the Resort World Casino in New York on Saturday, April 28, 2013.
This is a Barrett’s second appearance at the Diaspora’s premier fashion event. Last year he graced the runway with super model Carla Campbell and NY models wearing clothing by local fashion designers John Paul Peirre, Rep Ja, Jewel Shannon, VP’s Riddim Driven, Houz Designs, Hope Wade, Original Stush and Romeich Wear.
Barrett’s career is littered with many significant accomplishments. In 2010 he received international acclaim as the front man for Ralph Lauren’s Polo Winter Olympic campaign in Vancouver, Canada. The following year he won a starring role in Rihanna’s controversial ‘Man Down’ video which received a stunning 11 million hits on YouTube in just five days.
“This year is Irie Jam Media’s 20th anniversary, so we are very excited to have the Caribbean’s leading male supermodel join us for this very important assignment” said Syntyche ‘Syn’ Dawkins, VP of Irie Jam Media and co-producer of IFR. “Oraine is a huge name in the fashion industry. He is a Vogue favourite and a Baby Phat poster boy. Last year he was extremely popular with our female fans and we are happy to have him again this year.”
Yandy is an entertainment powerhouse who has represented high profile music clients like 50 Cent, Missy Elliott, LL Cool J, Jim Jones and Juelz Santana. She’s a force in the industry, merging both beauty and brains into one irresistible package. She joined the cast of the VH1 TV hit show “Love and Hip Hop” in its second season. In 2008, she was recognized as one of Billboard Magazine’s Top 30 executives under 30. Her appearance at IFR includes both a meet and greet and a showing of her popular lifestyle brand ‘Everything Girls Love,’ for which she is the President and Brand Manager.
“I am truly excited to be associated with this year’s Irie Fashion Rave that will showcase some of the hottest designers and models from the Diaspora” Yandy gushed. “Fact is that music, entertainment and fashion have all played such an integral part of my life. I truly look forward to be a guest host and the opportunity to meet my many fans from the Caribbean.”
