Rugby to Runway: Trevor Watkins Graces Times of the Islands Summer Issue

RUGBY TO RUNWAYS: TREVOR WATKINS GRACES TIMES OF THE ISLANDS SUMMER ISSUE

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands; Wednesday, 24th June, 2026 – The 2026 TCI Top Model Contest has signalled a fresh chapter for Turks and Caicos fashion and creative industries with the naming of Trevor Watkins as Cycle 7 winner. The Grand Turk native and professional rugby playerturnedmodel claimed the title at the grand finale at Brayton Hall, Providenciales, and now headlines a striking ten-page summer editorial shot on location at Wind Chimes Villa, Turtle Tail, for Times of the Islands magazine. Trevor commands the cover, sun-drenched and unapologetically bold. A crisp blush shirt and rich berry shorts fuse relaxed island elegance with runway confidence, turning turquoise paradise into fashion’s most captivating catwalk.

Watkins – a rugby standout, experienced diver with Oasis Divers and active steward with the Fisheries Department – became the contest’s second male titleholder, taking home the main prize plus four special distinctions: Industry Readiness, Model’s Portfolio Folder, Best Body and Best Runway Walk. Standing 6 ft 4 in, he brought athletic poise and quiet charisma to every segment, reinforcing the contest’s renewed mission to celebrate inclusive, authentic Caribbean talent.

“This year’s competition was as much about readiness and professionalism as it was about aesthetics," said Courtney Robinson, Founder and Executive Producer of TCI Top Model and creative director of the editorial. “Trevor’s win signals a shifting vernacular in Caribbean fashion – one that honours craft, stewardship and lived experience. Wind Chimes Villa provided the perfect canvas: its light, landscape and architecture allowed us to capture garments that breathe with the island environment. The resulting ten-page feature is a testament to what happens when place and people align.”

Photographed by Renau Destine and styled under Robinson’s direction, the editorial stages an intimate dialogue between tailoring and nature. Sunlit verandas, sweeping terraces and trade winds inform a wardrobe of relaxed linens, unstructured cotton blazers and refined separates, while make-up artist Yulanda Davidson heightens Watkins’ cinnamon tone with sun-kissed highlights to mirror the villa’s radiant light. Jewellery by Brittney Bien-Amie of le Bead-Amie Jewellery completes the narrative of island sophistication.

Revived in 2025 after a decade-long hiatus, the TCI Top Model Contest embraced a co-ed and intentionally inclusive framework for Cycle 7. Contestants navigated multiple thematic segments – from the urban glamour of All That Glitters to the rugged charm of Boots on the Ground and the bespoke elegance of Turks Island Dandy – testing adaptability, storytelling and runway craft. Hosted by Huntley “Super P the Entertainer” Forbes with co-presenter Brittney Bien-Amie, the finale featured live performances from Aaliya Delva and Corey Stubbs, blending fashion with music and multimedia production to amplify a distinctly Turks and Caicos creative voice.

Reflecting on his win and the editorial, Trevor Watkins said, "Standing on that promontory at Wind Chimes, I felt every chapter of my life meet, sport, sea and self-expression. This title is more than personal recognition; it’s an invitation to represent Turks and Caicos on larger stages while staying true to my island home. I want to use this platform to bridge athletics, conservation and fashion – to show that strength can be gentle and that style can be purposeful.”

Industry reaction has been enthusiastic. Judges and mentors praised his preparedness, discipline and versatility, qualities honed in sport and refined for the runway. The recognition of male talent and the contest’s inclusive parameters point to a broader trend: Turks and Caicos fashion asserting authorship and developing exportable aesthetics rooted in place, identity and craft.

The ten-page editorial serves not only as a visual celebration of Watkins’ victory but also as an ambassadorial piece for the Turks and Caicos creative industries. With imagery that is both editorial and campaign-ready, the feature is poised to travel to regional and international publications, audiences and digital platforms seeking authenticity and narrative depth.

As the Times of the Islands Summer 2026 issue hits the stands, readers will do more than see a young man breaking barriers, they will witness momentum in motion. TCI Top Model is not only producing winners; it's cultivating role models, elevating under-represented voices, and steering a bold new course for Turks and Caicos fashion and creatives.

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EDITORS NOTES:

Art Direction and Styling: Courtney Robinson (IG @tcistopmodel and @iamsircourtney)Photography: Renau Destine (IG @renaudestinephotography)Makeup: Yulanda Davidson, Luxe’Ri Faces (IG @luxerifaces)Jewellery: Brittney Bien-Amie, le Bead-Amie Jewellery (IG @lebeadaimejewelry)Location: Wind Chimes Villa, Turtle Tail, Turks & Caicos Islands (www.windchimevilla.tc)