Jamaica's hit fashion talent show, Mission Catwalk, returns for 2012, this time celebrating the talent of young fashion designers from across the Caribbean.

For its second season, Mission Catwalk expanded the pool of contestants to include the entire Caribbean. This year's competitors hail from Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados, Guyana and Belize.

"What we are pleased about most of all is that the show gives them [designers] a lot of exposure," said the show's executive producer, Keneea Linton-George. "The show is aired throughout the Caribbean and a lot of people are excited about seeing their designers."

So far, 18 year-old Belizean fashion designer Rebecca Stirm leads the pack, emerging as the first challenge winner.

Drawing on Belize's Hispanic and Mayan influences, Stirm's long, airy dress won the challenge to "create an outfit that reflects the style and culture" of their individual Caribbean countries joined by "the common thread of independence."

Current contestants include challenge runner-up, Barbadian Kerin Scott, fellow Barbadian Janelle Forde, Trinidadians Ryan Chan and Shannon Kwong, Guyanese Ryan Berkeley, and Jamaicans Janel Jolly, Crystal Powell, Keshon Hawthorne, Maria King-Beadle, Natalie Rochester, Gregory Williams and Shellane McFarlane.

The winner of Mission Catwalk will receive $50,000, equipment from Singer, a fashion spread in Ocean Style magazine, an opportunity to present their collection at London Fashion Week and an opportunity to study at the London College of Fashion.