EVENT RECAP: 2026 ST. CROIX STYLE FASHION WEEK

Winners of the 13th Annual V.I. Model of the Year Competition held during the 8th Annual St. Croix Style Fashion Week. L to R: 2026-2027 V.I. Model of the Year Mystiq Flax-Charles, 2026-2027 V.I. Commercial Model of the Year Jeniqua Weekes, and 2026-2027 V.I. Child Model of the Year Kegan Brookes. Photo Courtesy of DEAR Productions/Facebook.

St. Croix Style Fashion Week (SSFW) is a big deal and its founder, Jason Gardener, knows how to put on a show!

Now in its 8th year, SSFW 2026 was held April 8-11 on St. Croix and brought together fashion’s brightest stars from across the USVI and the BVI, as well as watchers, followers, and supporters of St. Croix’s vibrant fashion scene.

2026-2027 V.I. Commercial Model of the Year Jeniqua Weekes walks the runway at the 13th Annual V.I. Model of the Year Competition on St. Croix, April 11, 2026. Photo Courtesy DEAR Productions, Facebook.

Mr. Gardener, known for his enterprising spirit when it comes to both establishing and expanding fashion on St. Croix, could hardly contain his excitement, dispatching an upbeat message to his 1,300 Facebook followers at the start of the week: “Today kicks off the 8th Annual St. Croix STYLE Fashion Week 2026!!!!!! I’m so excited for all the events and FASHIONS! God is good.”

St. Croix Style Fashion Week & V.I. Model of the Year Competition Producer Jason Gardener speaks at the 13th Annual V.I. Model of the Year Competition on St. Croix, April 11, 2026. Photo Courtesy of DEAR Productions/Facebook.

And who could blame him? The local fashion czar curated a style week that could rival similar events on the mainland, and dare we say across the globe? The week-long festivities consisted of model workshops; a VIP invite-only party; the exclusive Red, Black & Sliver Meet & Greet, which was hosted by V.I. Supermodel Jenna-Monet; and the main event, the 13th Annual V.I. Model of the Year Competition, featuring celebrity judges Cyndee Frontal, Alva Page, and Jenna-Monet.

V.I. Supermodel and 2019 V.I. Model of the Year Jenna-Monet hosted the Red, Black & Sliver Party during the 2026 St. Croix Style Fashion Week. Photo Courtesy Jenna-Monet/Facebook.

Young models in denim at the 13th Annual V.I. Model of the Year Competition on St. Croix, April 11, 2026. Photo Courtesy DEAR Productions/Facebook.

Celebrity judges Alva Page, standing; Jenna-Monet, left; and Cyndee Frontal, right. Photo Courtesy DEAR Productions/Facebook.

Celebrity judges Jenna-Monet, Cyndee Frontal, and Alva Page join Jason Gardner, center, at the 13th Annual V.I. Model of the Year Competition on St. Croix, April 11, 2026. Photo Courtesy Cyndee Frontal/Facebook.

Very much in line with the last 12 years, this year’s contestants in the highly anticipated V.I. Model of the Year Competition set fire to the runway, thanks to their hard work and expert training through Mr. Gardener’s modeling agency. In the end, a new crop of V.I. fashion kings and a queen was crowned: 2026-2027 V.I. Child Model of the Year Kegan Brookes of the BVI; 2026-2027 V.I. Commercial Model of the Year Jeniqua Weekes of St. Croix; and the 2026-2027 V.I. Model of the Year Mystiq Flax-Charles of St. Thomas.

2026-2027 V.I. Child Model of the Year Kegan Brookes walks the runway at the 13th Annual V.I. Model of the Year Competition on St. Croix, April 11, 2026. Photo Courtesy DEAR Productions/Facebook.

2026-2027 V.I. Model of the Year Mystiq Flax-Charles walks the runway at the 13th Annual V.I. Model of the Year Competition on St. Croix, April 11, 2026. Photo Courtesy DEAR Productions/Facebook.

Three talented designers were also featured in the 2026 SSFW Designer’s Style Collections segment of the modeling competition. Audience members were wowed by the creativity of Morgan Creque of M-Organic VI from the BVI, Lorna “Spoogoo” Roberts of Black Pine Vintage Boutique in Alabama, and Pamela Leverett-Love of Amour MAGIQUE VI in St. John. Plus, participants of Mr. Gardener’s other wildly popular fashion event, kids ROCK fashion weekEND, showed off their Couture Denim & Jewels looks from the 2026 show held in March.

Model wearing the designs of Black Pine Vintage Boutique at the 13th Annual V.I. Model of the Year Competition on April 11, 2026. Photo Courtesy DEAR Productions/Facebook.

At the Red Party, Mr. Gardener paid special tribute to local women whose contributions to St. Croix stand out. Honorees recognized as Bo$$ Ladies included Charisma Rogers, Dr. Theodora Phlip, Arela Hayes, Jael Paul, and West Gyul.

A fashion event isn’t a fashion event without the looks worn by attendees. Audience members wore ‘couture elegance’ to attend the V.I. Model of the Year Competition and ‘red, black, and/or silver high fashion’ at the Red Party.

Parents of V.I. Model of the Year Competition contestants were featured prominently during a runway segment at the show. Photo Courtesy of DEAR Productions/Facebook.

If you missed SSFW 2026, not to worry, there’s always next year! Mark your calendars now for the 9th Annual St. Croix Style Fashion Week and the 14th Annual V.I. Model of the Year Competition, April 7-12, 2027.

For more 2026 event photos and videos, visit DEAR Productions on Facebook.