Meet Xavier Walker

We recently connected with Xavier Walker and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Xavier, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

It started with his curiosity and drive to be more than just a model. Early in his career, he intentionally immersed himself in different areas, taking on work as a booker, casting director, backstage manager, and assisting emerging brands with media placements and small presentations

This multifaceted involvement sparked a deeper calling. After four years of self-doubt, I finally stepped forward and founded the Caribbean Fashion Collective (CFC), a platform dedicated to uplifting Caribbean designers through education, networking, and production support. He recognized the industry’s lack of space for Caribbean talent and felt compelled to create it himself.

In his own words, he observed that many small Caribbean brands needed help “landing media placements, build[ing networks, and producing intimate presentations” — and that responding to this need became his mission. His purpose crystallized at the intersection of cultural pride and community impact: to uplift Caribbean creatives and build their paths to visibility and sustainability.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

As the Founder and CEO of the Caribbean Fashion Collective (CFC), I’ve dedicated myself to building a platform that uplifts and celebrates the creative voices of emerging and underrepresented Caribbean designers. What I do goes far beyond casting or producing fashion shows—my work is about cultivating opportunity, building community, and creating real visibility for designers, models, and creatives who often don’t get the spotlight they deserve.

What’s most exciting about this journey is witnessing how culture, fashion, and purpose intersect. I love seeing designers tell stories through their collections that reflect our history, identity, and future. It’s powerful. I also find great fulfillment in being able to connect creatives to meaningful opportunities, whether it’s media coverage, brand partnerships, or being featured during Fashion Week.

After years of working behind the scenes in castings, production, and creative direction—and after four years of personal self-doubt—I finally stepped forward and founded CFC. I knew it was time to stop waiting for someone else to create the space we needed. So, I built it.

Currently, we’re preparing for our New York Fashion Week debut on September 13, 2025. This will be the first-ever CFC showcase during NYFW, and it’s set to feature a diverse lineup of Caribbean designers, models, and beauty professionals. We’re also now live on Models.com, giving our community the global visibility it deserves.

CFC is more than a brand—it’s a movement rooted in cultural pride, creative equity, and collective growth. I want people to know that we’re here not just to put on a show, but to shift the narrative in fashion—one designer at a time.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, the three most impactful qualities that shaped my journey were resilience, relationship-building, and vision.

Resilience – The fashion industry is not easy to break into, especially when you’re creating space for voices that have been historically overlooked. I’ve faced rejection, self-doubt, and countless moments where it would’ve been easier to quit. But resilience kept me grounded. It taught me to see setbacks as redirection, not defeat.

Advice: Build your resilience by embracing failure as part of your growth. Stay focused on your long-term purpose, and don’t let short-term obstacles make you question your worth.

Relationship-building – From castings to production to brand partnerships, every opportunity I’ve had has come from the strength of genuine relationships. People matter. How you treat them, how you follow up, how you show up consistently—those things open doors that talent alone can’t.

Advice: Be intentional with your network. Don’t just seek connections—build community. Support others without expecting anything in return, and that energy will come back to you in powerful ways.

Vision – I always had a clear idea of what I wanted to create, even when I didn’t have all the resources or the blueprint. That vision became my anchor. It reminded me why I started and helped others believe in what I was building.

Advice: Get clear on your “why.” Your vision doesn’t need to be perfect or fully mapped out from day one, but it does need to be rooted in something real. Keep refining it, speak it out loud, and let it guide your decisions.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I give myself permission to pause. I usually talk with close friends just to vent and release some of that pressure—it helps to be heard. I also take long walks, unplug from my phone, and either play music or watch a movie or show to reset my mind.

Self-care is something I take very seriously. In this industry, it’s easy to get caught up in the grind and forget to care for yourself. But I’ve learned that slowing down isn’t a setback—it’s a necessary part of sustaining your creativity and mental well-being.

My advice: Protect your peace. Create small rituals that help you recharge and be honest with yourself when you need a break. You can’t pour into others—or your work—if your cup is empty.

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