Music, food and culture may be the primary connections many make with Caribbean natives, but there is also a fashion statement to be made.

"Fashion is already a part of our culture, so it's not that it's not given emphasis because it's already a part of who we are," said Shanti Vincent of Aye Shanti which is stationed in Brooklyn, New York.

Countries like Guyana and the Virgin Islands have celebrated their own fashion weeks for a few years now - all taking place the fall of every year.

In New York, the talents of these Caribbean designers were celebrated at the second annual Caribbean Extravaganza presented by Ethel Fashion at Friends of Crown Heights-Rooftop on Saturday, September 3 from 6-10 pm as a precursor to Monday's main event -- the largest West Indian Day parade in the U.S.

Perched at 671 Prospect Place in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, the scene for this pre- Labor Day event was that of Rip the Runway meets America's Next Top Model. Adorned with white cloth, the barriers along the rooftop gave off a sense of exclusivity as the 44 models and 19 designers neared their debut.

As guests arrived, they were offered various finger foods such as red velvet cupcakes, veggie wraps and diced fruits.

The national anthems of both the U.S. and the dominant island of St. Vincent were sung as the sun set.

Host Kofi Branch of Barbados, Editor in Chief of SHABEAU- the Caribbean's leading fashion publication, guided the show with his professionalism and self-assured tone.

Keeping in tune with the spirit of the fashion show, the mastermind behind the brilliant event, designer Donna Weekes of Ethel Fashion, was the first to strut her stuff down the runway as she saluted her native St. Vincent dressed in Carnival garb.

Launching her business in September of 2009, Weekes has been on the road to success in the past three years.

"Right now I'm in the growing stage, I'm now getting the name Ethel out there so I'm hoping to be one of the top designers one day," said Weekes. "I would love to see my pieces in department stores on Saks Fifth Avenue, that's my ultimate goal."

Over the years, Weekes' primary motivator has been her late mother, Ethel Delgado, the namesake of her company.

"As a little girl I watched my mother design clothes for me and my sister not because she wanted to but because she had to," said Weekes. "So it's just something in me that I must continue, I have to carry on her name. She's my inspiration."

Ethel Fashion led the way as models, who varied in ethnicity and size, cat-walked along the fluorescent lit, white draped runway in silhouettes of bright red, orange, turquoise and white.

Other fashion designers such as Cheake Findlay of Cheeke, Clay Foster of Foster Child Clothing, Patricia Reddock of DaiZuri, Tamiko Browne of Tami B Designs, Karen De Freitas of Soka and Alicia Dewar of earingz n' thingz also showcased their work.

Designers hailing from the Caribbean nations of Trinidad, Grenada, Guyana, St. Croix, Jamaica, Dominica came out in full force along with those out of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

With so many designers emerging from the Caribbean, how can one stand out?

"The classic Caribbean designer uses a lot of linen, cotton and tie dye. I mean I like that, but personally I like my aesthetics. I go in a different direction. I use my cultural background to create something from the Caribbean," said Karen De Freitas of Soka, hailing from St. Vincent.

Founding her label in 2008, this designer has gotten her feet wet in various departments within the fashion world. Experimenting with an accessory line this year and swimwear designs in 2010, De Freitas tries her hand at a number of areas to avoid the onset of boredom. She is currently enrolled at Parsons School of Design in New York is pursuing a BFA in Fashion Design.

Education makes a great difference within the ever-evolving fashion world. Although it may seem unnecessary to some designers from tiny islands, those who attend school may have more opportunities.

"Once you have your degree, people tend to take you a lot more seriously in what you're talking about and where you're trying to go," said Cindy Grant of NARS cosmetics at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York.

While she hails from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, she attended Hair Design Institute in New York for 18 months of training.

"I was able to go as far as I went with make-up because I went to school for it."

Grant, the first black woman to have her very own facial event for NARS Cosmetics at Saks Fifth Avenue, served as the official make-up artist for the evening.

She has worked with companies such as Chanel and Christian Dior since being in the business for over 12 years. She has spent years researching what works well for African American skin.

"A lot of people will say black women have beautiful skin and we do, but many companies don't know what to use to take care of it."

In addition to healthy skin, having the right body type also tends to be of great concern within the fashion industry.

Designer Arthlene LeGair of Dominica has been in the fashion business for about two and half years and makes an effort to use models of various sizes, instead of the standard 5'8", 20-inch waist body type that is so often showcased in the media.

"All body types are beautiful," said LeGair. Her business, LeGair Brand, is based in the Buckeye state of Ohio.

In fact, several of the women on the runway that evening were plus-sized models. As the women were representing Caribbean fashion, it would have been unrealistic to have featured only thin women when the women from the region are known to have wider, thicker hips and fuller thighs.

All the designers concurred that being a part of the fashion industry takes a great amount of hard work. Nonetheless, they pressed that once amateur designers of the Caribbean have their mind set on their career goals, they will go very far.

"A lot of times you're going to run into people who don't believe in you, you may get frustrated when you're not able to find different resources to help make your dreams real...but if you have patience and faith...and as long as you remember that it's not about the destination but the journey, you'll be alright," said Rob Lee, VP of Global Branding at GSEA Fashion Group.

A global company that has been around since 1998, GSEA owns a factory stationed in Lima, Peru, but networks out of New York. Lee attended the Caribbean Extravaganza in hopes of scouting what young designers had to offer.

"You may be a great designer but you need to make sure you set aside a realistic budget for yourself. A line never comes to life just off of hopes and nice designs; it's a business strategy that you need to execute."

One of his quotes that he often tries to instill in those he has encountered is, "when it comes to budgeting, it's better to pay not to make a mistake than to pay for your mistake."

As the extravaganza came to a close, the designers continued to put forth the best of their works which kept attendees anxious and satisfied until the last garment was exhibited.

Representing Trinidad and Tobago, Patrice Goodluck of House of Goodluck had some of the most unforgettable designs that evening. Her style was edgy, risqué and out of the box, but still glamorous. Zippers stitched to her pieces expressed her creativity and uniqueness.

"Whatever I'm thinking at the moment I'm just going to get up and do it. My designs are basically avant garde, drastic, dramatic," said Goodluck who professed that she does not look to other designers for inspiration.

A 10-year veteran in the fashion business, she encourages upcoming designers to do what inspires them.

"Even if you don't think your designs are good enough, there will be someone out there who loves it. Someone is going to get it."

House of Goodluck in based in Brooklyn, New York. Other Trinidad and Tobago designers present included Bernadette Bedeau of beDeau, Dexter John of Dexter John and Gail Lynch of Akini Coutour Collection.

Not only did the audience experience clothing lines out of the Caribbean, they also got a peek at headwear crafted by designer Karl Brown of Khalil's Hatitude.

Brown, who has been designing for about a year, flew to New York from the home of reggae, Jamaica, to be a part of the Caribbean Extravaganza. Models boasted the fashionable hats that were suitable for any occasion.

Jamaican designer Anthony Shae of Anthony Shae Collection, Guyanese designers Donnet Brotherson of Don J Moda House and Monica Caleb of Designs by MOE, St. Crox designer Adisa Christopher of Adiani C and Grenadian designer Shanti Vincent of Aye' Shanti were also featured at the fashion show.

One could observe that the designers were very much inspired by their Caribbean background. Many will be remembered by their island feel reflected in the fabric and color combination choices of the designers.

The second annual Caribbean Extravaganza was sponsored by VIP Electronics, Conrad's Bakery, Klassix Window Tint & Graphic, ABC Real Estate, Friends of Crown Heights, Christian Ruart & Staff Ruart Fashion Group, Straightforward Business Solutions and NEWD Magazine.