5 Questions with ... Deiwght Peters

SAINT International CEO Deiwght Peters continues to have major influence in the global fashion industry. From Burberry to Prada, Saint Laurent to Valentino, Dior to Gucci, Balenciaga to Michael Kors, his ever-growing list of Caribbean and African successes has graced advertising campaigns and the catwalks for the world’s biggest fashion houses and brands.

The Clarendon-born impresario’s digits are a speed-dial away for many influential casting directors and agents in Europe and North America when time calls for fresh-faced talent to embody a brand.

Besides running his now 24-year-old agency, Peters is also host and executive producer of his TVJ eponymous variety talk show. But, there’s far more than meets the eye of the gifted model scout. The devout lover of National’s round bun hit the pause button on intense planning sessions on simultaneous projects, to answer 5 Questions With... .

1. We are days away from SAINT’s 2024 Female and Male Fashion Face competition. What can showgoers and model watchers expect?

I can confidently state we have an incredible batch. Going with the energy from last year’s winner Dru Campbell, showgoers can expect a stunning display of new faces. Speaking of new faces, one of the motivations for international agents to collaborate with SAINT over the years in an unprecedented way for a Jamaican agency, is simply because they know the potential of the new faces that come out of the SAINT camp each year. So far, I have about seven top agents, some as far as Germany, who will be flying in for the event this year because they want to be a part of defining the new wave of stars from Jamaica and the Caribbean.

2. Last year’s Female Fashion Face winner Dru had a spectacular breakout season in Milan and Paris. How do you feel about her success?

I am excited because Dru’s success is pointing to a brilliant future. We encourage the completion of her education at Edwin Allen High and when she graduates in June, she has indicated that she wants to go off and conquer the world. In terms of her début ... Dru’s digitals were sent to Europe, particularly to Elite Paris. They called back and said they were going to propose her to a couple clients. I suggested Prada would be a good start. They sent pictures over and their sister agency Elite Milan reached out and said Prada was very interested. Co-designer Raf Simons and casting director Ashley Brokaw did a Zoom meeting with Dru and were very impressed. One thing led to another. We were flown to Milan and she was confirmed for her Prada début. Then we went into Paris. She did seven shows: Valentino, Louis Vuitton, Chloe, Rabanne, Courreges, Miu Miu and Loewe.

3. What is next for SAINT?

Certainly to reinforce the SAINT aesthetic in global fashion. The SAINT aesthetic for me is a model whose features and personality can transcend to the heights of the most discerning fashion clients. It takes a special instinct to see a model who at first in many instances, is not the final image that you see. But you see a model in the raw form at the point of discovery and then apply that SAINT aesthetic to define him or her. Whether it’s changing a hairstyle, sharpening on the projection or the walk to make sure that the full package is there for the most respected fashion houses in the world. Many of these houses now reach out to us whenever they are looking for their new faces because they understand that we appreciate and respect their aesthetic, and we want to apply a similar approach to giving our faces the potential to align with these houses. A part of the evolution of SAINT as a global management brand is that we represent models from other countries ... Martinique, Guadeloupe, Nigeria, Cameroon and Sudan.

4. Any news on the return of your talk show?

RWDP is going to redefine television. So far, I have interviewed at least eight high-profile global personalities, some with Jamaican connections, others not, one or two might be considered legends. I have been doing these interviews over the last year or so. [However] I have to find the right time to launch because my international activities have increased over the last two years.

5. What’s the most surprising thing people could discover about you?

That I am very down-to-earth and not the monster that some people make me out to be. Also, I never forget my roots. I am humble and appreciative of my success to the point that some people find it remarkable. I am a man of faith and positivity is all about what my spirit is.

entertainment@gleanerjm.com