Carnival Catwalk makes global debut on Peacock

The Caribbean fashion competition series Carnival Catwalk has premiered on NBC’s Peacock platform, becoming the first reality television series created and produced in Trinidad and Tobago to be acquired by a major US streaming network.

The series, which initially premiered in January on CNC3, was produced by executive producers Jerome “Rome” Precilla, Gian Franco, of Pavilion Entertainment, and Rodney Seemungal, of SGP Studios. It features 10 designers from various international backgrounds competing in design challenges that fuse Carnival elements with high fashion. The winner will receive $100,000, a fully paid trip, and a featured showcase at Milan Fashion Week.

Precilla said the project involved a cast and crew of over 180 people, with 98 per cent being local talent from T&T, including editors, camera operators, producers, stylists, production managers, and models.

“This is huge for our local design industry, the carnival industry, the TV film industry, tourism, and our culture,” Precilla said in a release.

“We’ve proven that our creatives, our vision, and our culture are world-class, and the world is watching.”

The show is hosted by Precilla and Jamaican TV personality Kandi King. The judging panel includes Miss Universe 1998 Wendy Fitzwilliam as head judge and Project Runway season nine winner Anya Ayoung-Chee. Guest judges and personalities from the Caribbean fashion and entertainment industries also made appearances throughout the season.

Franco said the series presents Caribbean designers as equals on the global fashion stage.

“Our Caribbean designers have proven they can stand shoulder to shoulder with international talent. That’s the level we’re on and this is just the beginning.”

Carnival Catwalk also serves as a promotional platform for Caribbean music, featuring more than 150 soca tracks throughout its nine-episode season. With Peacock’s subscriber base of over 41 million, the show is expected to expand the reach of soca artistes across North America and beyond.

Seemungal said the support from the Government was critical to the show’s development.

“We thank our amazing judges, our dedicated crew, and especially the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Tourism, and the Ministry of Culture and Community Development for their crucial support.”

He urged audiences in the Caribbean and the diaspora to stream Carnival Catwalk on Peacock.

“This is our opportunity to show the power of our region and to keep the door open for more Caribbean productions to enter the global space.”

As of the August 1 release date on Peacock, Carnival Catwalk ranked number three in the “Peacock Picks” list on the platform’s homepage.