Channelling the elements of Jamaica's yardie style and natural beauty, Pulse's Caribbean Model Search (CMS) alumni Latoya Samuels, Nicole Hopkins, Fallon Harris and Latesha Coleman rock in the current edition of Japan's fashion bible, Luire.

Set against backdrops loaded with overt cultural imagery of Jamaica, including a music studio, a 'livity' restaurant and urban locales, the girls sizzle in an array of designs accessorised with belts, sequins, booties and headwraps.

Impressing in the Rastafarian colours and the dominant black, green and gold iconoclastic colour scheme, the sizzling beauties play dress-up across a marvellous 18-page spread, titled 'The Naturism of Jamaica'. Posing for Luire is a first for Nicole, who was part of CMS 2006, and Fallon and Latesha who were part of CMS 2007, but marks the second for Latoya Samuels. The 2006 CMS TV Reality star posed with CMS batchmate and rising current star Gaye McDonald.

Similar feature

Pulse CEO Kingsley Cooper says the theme is done by the editorial team at Luire and is similar to a feature that was done last year with Pulse models in the same magazine. He says the link between Pulse and Luire was made through Jamaican tourism interests in Japan. After which, a deal was negotiated between the two parties.

Though reggae and dancehall music are popular in Japan, Cooper admitted that the current Jamaican models are not as popular as former Pulse model Kimberley Mais was when she was the leading model there in the late '80s and mid '90s.

"It's not a market you work in every day. We work with them when they are working on Jamaican-driven products," Cooper told The Sunday Gleaner.

He added: "It's great. It is a major international feature and gives them (Pulse models) a great tear sheet. It also means they get a chance to break into the international market, working directly out of Jamaica. It's a great start."

Entries for the local leg of CMS 2008 are currently being accepted at Pulse's Trafalgar Road, New Kingston, headquarters. Those selected will compete for slots in the third season of the CMS television reality series and at the CMS live finale in August for the titles Jamaica Fashion Model, Male Face of Jamaica and Petite Jamaica Fashion Model.

Cooper says the international leg of the CMS Reality TV series started last Friday, while the live shows will start later in summer.