CASTRIES, SAINT LUCIA — Saint Lucia’s creative industry is stepping boldly onto the global stage—and Export the Runway 3 is leading the charge.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Export Saint Lucia CEO Sunita Daniel highlighted the rising international appeal of Saint Lucian fashion and the growing global opportunities now available to creatives both at home and abroad.
Slated to be a signature event during the 2025 Lucian Carnival, the third edition of Export the Runway has evolved from a local fashion showcase into a vital springboard to international markets—including the highly anticipated Expo Osaka 2025 in Japan.
“This is no longer just a fashion show—it’s a movement,” said Daniel. “We’re creating real, tangible pathways for Saint Lucian designers, musicians, and artists to access the global market.”
This year’s event features 14 local designers alongside international guests, with every aspect of the production—lighting, sound, styling, and live performances—powered by Saint Lucian talent. Daniel emphasized that Export the Runway is a celebration of all facets of Saint Lucian creativity.
“Everything you see on that stage is local,” she added. “It’s a platform not just for fashion designers, but also for musicians, producers, photographers, and models. It’s an ecosystem, and we’re building it from the ground up.”
Creative Director Trevor King echoed the sentiment, expressing pride in how far the show has come and hinting at bold new directions.
“We’re always aiming for that next level—that moment that makes people stop and say: this is Saint Lucian talent,” King said. “Each show has challenged us to grow, and this one blends fashion with music, space, and storytelling like never before.”
This year’s edition also pays tribute to veteran local designers who have helped shape Saint Lucia’s fashion industry. The goal, King noted, is not just to improve but to transform the experience into something immersive and emotionally resonant.
“This is the most elevated vision of the show yet. It means something—for the designers, the models, the stylists, the sponsors, and especially for the Saint Lucian audience, who deserve to see their creativity reflected with the same finesse they show the world.”
Chairperson of the Carnival Planning and Management Committee (CPMC), Tamara Gibson, emphasized the event’s importance within the broader Lucian Carnival framework.
“Export Saint Lucia has been a longstanding partner of Lucian Carnival. Whether it’s Export the Runway or prizes for exportable music, they consistently encourage creatives to push the boundaries of their artistry,” Gibson said.
She added that fashion, like Carnival, plays a key role in both culture and the economy. Gibson called for greater support for the creative sector and encouraged Saint Lucians to attend Export the Runway and take pride in their talent.
One of the event’s most exciting announcements is the attendance of a New York Fashion Week representative, providing Saint Lucian designers with the opportunity to receive international feedback and potentially earn invitations to global fashion events.
Additionally, select creatives from this year’s show are under consideration to represent Saint Lucia at Expo Osaka 2025, where a dedicated fashion segment will spotlight the island’s design excellence on the world stage.
“Export Saint Lucia is committed to taking what’s best about Saint Lucia—our creativity, our originality—and placing it where the world can see it,” Daniel affirmed. “We want our designers to move beyond local runways into high-end international markets, luxury hotels, fashion capitals, and global expos.”
The event’s continued success is driven by strong corporate partnerships. Daniel acknowledged the longstanding support of Bank of Saint Lucia, the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, CIP Saint Lucia, Willrock Construction, and the Ministry of Tourism, as well as new sponsors including Laborie Credit Union, the Saint Lucia Marketing Board, and Nationwide Construction.
“Someone asked me what road construction has to do with fashion,” Daniel said with a smile. “But the truth is, all of corporate Saint Lucia benefits when we uplift our creative sector.”
Export the Runway 3 will be held on Thursday, June 20th, 2024, at Royalton Saint Lucia. The show promises a vibrant fusion of fashion, music, and cultural expression—a milestone for Saint Lucia’s creative sector and a bold step onto the global stage.
