Behind the scenes of Caribbean Model Search 2008, photographer Oliver Morris captures four of the finalists during a photo session at Pulse. From left are Ocean Brent Harris, Racquel Smith, Natalee Ann Maxwell and Letrice Green. The finals of the competition will be held this Sunday at the Hilton Kingston hotel. - Contributed

It's a brilliant Tuesday evening and several teenagers have begun to file into the Caribbean Fashion Centre, Pulse headquarters and home to some of fashion's hottest supermodels this side of the planet.

There is a certain buzz and energy about the place, young hopefuls strutting along runway lines and moving in perfect concert to the hippest reggae beats of the moment.

It's the kind of vibe which only comes around this time of year and can be summed up in three words - Caribbean Model Search.

Major titles

This year, 70 fabulous hot new faces will vie for three titles at CMS Live, this Sunday, September 7, at the Hilton Kingston hotel.

Along with the major titles (Jamaica Fashion Model, Petite Jamaica Fashion Model & Male Face of Jamaica) being contested this weekend, finalists will also be selected to compete in the CMS reality tv series, which will begin airing later this month.

Of the 70 finalists, 12 will compete in the Petite and Male Face categories while the Fashion Model winner, as well as the reality TV show finalists, will be selected from the remaining 46 girls, who are 5' 7" and taller.

The contestants, who have come from across Jamaica, are enjoying an exciting series of activities as they prepare for their big night.

Last weekend, they danced up a storm at a fun-filled CMS pool party after having had weeks of grooming sessions, as well as the mandatory photo shoots, rehearsal and fittings with some of Jamaica's top designers, who will be presenting collections at the event.

World-rated talent

The Caribbean Model Search, has had a stellar record of producing world-rated modelling talent: Kimberley Mais, Angela Neil, Justine Willoughby, Nikki Vasell, Juline Samuels, Carla Campbell, Nadine Willis, Nell Robinson, Jaunel Mc Kenzie, Nicole Grey, Sunna Gottshalk, and Oraine Barrett.

Recent winners Gaye McDonald and Jeneil Williams have also had life-changing career experiences and continue to fly the Jamaican flag high abroad.

This year, the event takes the entertainment quotient up a notch with headline act and ace dancehall deejay Elephant Man to be joined by D'Angel.

Fashion design maestro and an icon of threads and trends in the dancehall, Biggy, along with some of Jamaica's best - Moncrieffe, Mutamba, The Mushroom, Keneea Linton, Minka and Lubica - will also be on show.

Tickets are available at Shimmer, Mall Pharmacy, the Hilton and Ann's Collection. The Caribbean Model Search is presented by Pulse, in association with Samurai Investments, Eye Q Optical, CVM TV, the Hilton Kingston hotel, HYPE TV, Splashjamaica.com, Jamrock magazine, Ocean Style, SHE Caribbean, ZIP FM and The Gleaner.