Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

Second runner-up Natassia Hall (left), winner Latasha Coleman (centre), and first runner-up Sedene Black of the Jamaica Fashion Model pose for the camera at the Caribbean Model Search at the Hilton Kingston hotel on Friday, September 7. - Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer

Those in showbiz know only too well that come hell and/or high water, the show simply must go on. And so it did last Friday, at the Hilton Kingston hotel, in the midst of all the electioneering and post-election drama and trauma (for some).

And so, the staging of the annual Miss Jamaica Fashion Model, Super Model, Male Face and Petite mega contests was a classic in style and substance.

Sweet-things, it is widely known and accepted in international beauty circles that South America and neighbour Venezuela are, indeed, the world's leading marketplace, when it comes to producing world-class beauties for international competitions. And Jamaica, through the guidance of Kingsley Cooper's Pulse Entertainment Group, is the leader when it comes to discovering models of colour on the catwalks and pages of major high-fashion magazines of the world.

Simply put, my dears, if ever there was a glamour factory here on this fair isle, it would have to be the Pulse entity. After 30 years, the organisation has brought to the fore catwalk successes and legends.

Dovecakes, the fashionistas will know of and remember the days of high-glam and the models who ruled the runways and was the toast of the chic crowd, off-stage. Well my dears, in a show that was heavily nostalgic, as Pulse rolled out its cache of pioneering firsts, in their class and time.

Pumpkins, to have had the likes of the celebrate Laing, known for her diva prowess and stage attitude; the fabulously athletic Jheannell Azan; the fabulous Kimberly Mais, who became a modelling icon in Japan; the angelic Justine Willoughby; Romae Gordon, who was one of our hottest exports to the South African market; the flawless Angela Neil, who has probably done more catalogues than any other Jamaican model since; and the ever strutting Prince of the Catwalk, Hector Lincoln Wynter - all on the same stage.

Oh, my word, there they were, the Pulse superstars of yesteryear, looking as fabulous as ever; the years being clearly very kind to them. Guests were treated to flashes of high-glam, haute-style and the culture of haute couture in moments that brought the memories of yesteryear to the fore.

And the fashion novices vying for the Caribbean's most prestigious modelling titles and a shot at international stardom might have looked on in awe at the divas, when it was high time to do their own thing.

Former Pulse model Justine Willoughby still looks sizzling in a short red number.

Bodies buffed beyond belief! Teenagers looking so much more mature than their tender years! Beauty, poise, muscles all on display, made it most difficult for the judges. Not only did all the contestants come armed with their own very vocal cheering section, at times these sections were equally vicious critics of their preferred contestants. This made for high drama and great theatre, it made the affaire all that more entertaining!

The judges, however, were not to be swayed and despite all the off-key commentary (and on-stage gimmickry and indulgences), they managed the enviable task of maintaining their focus and anointing this year's best suited international potential.

And so it was that the elegant Latasha Coleman emerged as this year's Fashion Model; Nsombie Watson, was definitely the best of the Petite hopefuls; and Alvin Larman was the hottest male trotting his stuff on the runway!

Among the notables spotted were Head of EU Delegation, Ambassador Marco Mazzocchi-Alemanni and his son; Francis Awn of the Belgian Embassy; Honorary Consul of Ecuador Clelia Barreto de Hunter; Garveyite Sister Samad; Professor Carolyn Cooper; pollster Don Anderson; the charming Hillary Phillips, Q.C.; Dr. Leachim and Cecile Semaj; Anders Jones; Red Stripe's Grace Silvera; Reggae Times E-Publisher Wayne Nunez; Dianne Francis; designer Les Campbell; actor Paul Campbell; Raquel Rhino and her son; hotelier Brian Sang; singer Brian McKnight; Independent TV producer Judith Alberga; entertainer Lexus and his wife; Damien Rochester; modelling sensation Nadine Willis; Walrick Peddie; the divinely hot Carla Campbell; Noddy Virtue; Scott Wilson; the stunning Shevolee Bell; Jasper Giscombe; Jeneil Williams; and scores of others.

Paul Campbell (left) lymes a little with 2006 Rising Star Noddy Virtue (right) and Farai Bryan at Caribbean Model Search at the Hilton hotel on Friday, September 7. - Photos by Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer