Models Hit Runway At Hotel On The Cay In Support Of Jason Gardener’s Charity Gala

ST. CROIX — Mundane as is it seemed on Saturday evening, Hotel on the Cay — across the sea from the King Christian Hotel — was anything but. Once you got off the boat that takes visitors across, helpers, all elegantly dressed in black, led event-goers up some stairs to an area dressed with a red carpet, and overtaken by beautiful models, both male and female.

A camera man stood near the open entrance while the event’s host stopped attendees for brief interviews. Venture to the inner portion of the space — which included a deejay, bar, and a projector beaming models in various locals, attires and styles — people could be seen interacting as they enjoyed the 1-hour red carpet precursor to the show. On even higher ground to an open area overlooking the waters north of St. Croix, models struck trained, confident poses for photographers.

This describes the early scene at Jason Gardener’s first annual St. Croix Style Charity Gala. Mr. Gardener, a professional model and founder of JG Management, told The Consortium that the event was organized to benefit his organization’s nonprofit arm, the JG Center of Excellence. Mr. Gardener, who also celebrated his 25th year in the modeling industry last night, said the nonprofit was formed to educate and promote the territory’s young men and women through the art of modeling and entertainment, “getting them global recognition with agencies worldwide.”

Indeed, just August of 2015, Egypt Jackson, one of Mr. Gardener’s young models, landed a major contract to be the face of a new handcrafted jewelry product being introduced by mega toy retailer, Toys “R” Us.

Mr. Gardener welcomed those in attendees and spoke briefly about the gala and his days in the business. Cyndee Frontal, founder of Models in the Isle, who Mr. Gardener worked with for multiple years, also spoke of the model, who now spends his time working to hone local talent, highlighting his dedication to succeed and knack for excellence.

For the main event, attendees were directed to a conference room that was transformed into a runway. There, models young and old, professional and novice — some well known in the community, including Attorney Natalie Nelson Tang How, Governor Kenneth Mapp’s chief labor negotiator —  swaggered the aisle with outfits from multiple local retailers, including Sweet Magnolia, VI Pink Bombshell, Urban Threadz, Jane’s Boutique, My Girlfriend’s Closet, Omega Rising, Kmart, Jane’s Boutique, Models Private Collection and Mavis Boutique. The models also wore their private collection for a grande finale; and Mr. Gardener himself worked the runway to close that portion of the show, which later concluded with a performance from Tia, a local recording artist.

Mr. Gardener, incessantly passionate about his work, sees modeling as more than style. He says even if some of the models don’t follow the fashion career path, the experience is one with lifelong benefits. “What’s rewarding is when a parent calls me and tells me how much of a difference I’ve made in their child’s life. That’s validation enough,” he said.

As for the future, Mr. Gardener said he sees himself in 25 years doing what he loves.

“I think when you find something you truly believe that the Father has ordained you to do, I cannot see myself doing anything else,” he said. “I think it’s just expanding and building. And in 25 years I will be back celebrating 50, God’s willing.”

JG Center of Excellence describes itself as a corporation formed to encourage and promote social and educational enrichment to young males in the field of fashion and entertainment. Its Young Females Models program was formed to promote local models to worldwide modeling agencies in the U.S. Asia, South Africa and European markets.