The Department of Creative Economy is continuing its efforts to create tangible pathways for local creatives through Project Xport, an initiative designed to connect emerging talent in St. Kitts and Nevis with opportunities beyond the Federation’s shores.

The programme, which aims to identify, prepare and position creatives for regional and international exposure, has already begun making an impact across multiple sectors of the creative economy. Its latest venture, Project Xport: New Faces, is placing a spotlight on modeling and providing aspiring models with access to world-class training and professional development opportunities.

The initiative recently reached a significant milestone when forty aspiring models participated in a casting call hosted by the Department at the St. Johnston Community Centre. More than a traditional audition, the exercise was designed as a developmental experience, exposing participants to professional industry standards while assessing their readiness for advancement within the fashion and modeling sector.

Participants were evaluated through a structured digital scoring system that measured competencies such as runway presentation, confidence, poise, professionalism, adaptability, camera awareness, stage presence, and overall marketability.

From the pool of participants, Liberty Woodley and Nashanti Perkins emerged as the first beneficiaries of Project Xport: New Faces. Woodley, the first runner-up in the most recent Miss St. Kitts and Nevis National Carnival Queen Pageant, and Perkins, the first runner-up in the 2025 Miss White Sands Swimsuit Competition, will now have the opportunity to further develop their skills on an international stage.

Both young women departed for New York this week to participate in the internationally acclaimed Coco Rocha Model Camp, one of the fashion industry’s most respected training programmes. The camp, founded by renowned supermodel and entrepreneur Coco Rocha, has become known for shaping the careers of aspiring models through intensive coaching, mentorship, and professional development.

Rocha, widely regarded as one of fashion’s most influential figures, has worked with luxury brands including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Prada and Dior while helping develop some of the industry’s most recognizable names.

Director of the Department of Creative Economy, Roberitine Webbe, described Project Xport as a deliberate investment in the future of the Federation’s creative industries.

“Project Xport represents our commitment to intentionally creating opportunities for creatives in St. Kitts and Nevis to access training, visibility, and professional development beyond our shores,” Webbe said. “We have extraordinary talent within this Federation, and initiatives like New Faces are about ensuring that talent is not confined by geography, but instead positioned to compete, grow, and thrive within regional and international industries.”

The initiative has also fostered collaboration among key stakeholders within the local modeling community. The judging panel featured a diverse cross-section of industry professionals, including agency executives, runway coaches, former models, and talent developers. Representatives from several agencies were also present, creating additional opportunities for participants to be identified for future mentorship, recruitment, and professional development.

Importantly, the Department notes that while only two participants were selected for the New York experience, many others may still benefit from opportunities generated through connections established during the audition process.

Project Xport’s focus on modeling follows the successful launch of Project Xport: Soundcheck earlier this year. Through that initiative, local music talents DJ Tero and AkaiiUSweet traveled to Ghana to perform at Karnival Kingdom, gaining international exposure while representing St. Kitts and Nevis on a global stage.

Together, these initiatives reflect a broader strategy by the Department of Creative Economy to strengthen the Federation’s creative ecosystem by developing talent pipelines, increasing industry access, and creating meaningful opportunities for creatives to transform their potential into sustainable careers.

As Project Xport continues to evolve, additional initiatives targeting other sectors of the creative economy are expected to be announced, further expanding opportunities for artists, performers, entrepreneurs, and cultural practitioners throughout St. Kitts and Nevis.