K2K SS24 Lookbook by Karen Norman

K2K ALLIANCE & PARTNERS

DESERT SEASON

Join us on Facebook Facebook: K2K Alliance & Partners (“K2K”)

PHOTOGRAPHY: GARY JORDAN PHOTOGRAPHY MAKE-UP ARTIST: SANDRADENE FEARON MODEL(S): KAYLE ANDERSON | LUNA CASTILHO | GRASI LIMA

SS24 COLLECTION THE SHIPS OF THE DESERT 3

K2K ALLIANCE & PARTNERS

A B O U T T H E C O M PA N Y An award-winning multi-media company, based in Trinidad and Tobago, K2K Alliance & Partners (“K2K”) is a leading design-house, that combines costume design with fashion and theatre. K2K, recognized for its artisanal craftsmanship and couture costuming, has been featured in ESSENCE, the Caribbean Beat Magazine and Discover Trinidad & Tobago Magazine. The brand has been showcased in the The New York Times, WSJ, Reuters and National Geographic. In 2019, the firm made history in Trinidad and Tobago by being the first women-led, medium-sized company to win the "Overall Band Of The Year" title, with its Collection, Through Stained Glass Windows.

OUR BRAND

Since conceptualization in 2010, the brand has focused on three pillars for execution: The Look | The Fashion | The Mas, with a core focus on our 365-Day Concept, making garments that can be used after the Carnival Season.

OUR FOCUS

Since inception, the brand has focused on three pillars for execution: The Look | The Fashion | The Mas • The Look: Make-up and hairstyling • The Fashion: Iconic trends throughout history and new fashion trends • The Mas: Costuming

OUR COLLECTIONS | THEATRE & ENTERTAINMENT

Since inception, K2K focuses on the art of storytelling to craft each Collection, as we believe that storytelling, whether through fashion, music or in the true literary sense, affects and effects change. Combining theatre, artistry and dance, the collaborative work with artists and creatives have resulted in some of the most magical shows. Today K2K brings theatre, storytelling, music, and stage plays to a viewing audience, focusing on original content written by its CoFounders. The theatrical pillar was created by creatives for creatives.

OUR AFFILIATE

In 2019, the Co-Founders of K2K started NORMÌ & NORMÌ INC. an online luxury resort brand that creates capsule pieces for women. NORMÌ, is committed to producing artfully crafted garments that provide an effortless yet glamorous statement for women. Mixing sophistication with sensual; and elegance with timelessness, the capsules are intended to capture romanticism. At the end of the day every woman desires to feel beautiful in her skin, and NORMÌ is crafted for every brand of beautiful

SS24 COLLECTION THE AL-ASHA OF RUB’AL KHAKI 5

CARNIVAL 2024 THE SALT CROSSING DESERT SEASON - ISSUE NO. 11

365-DAY CONCEPT The “365-day Concept” of our brand, which talks to the wearability of the garments after the Carnival Season, continues to comes to life in in our 2024 Collection

UNDERSTANDING SS24 The SS24 Collection is themed “The Salt Crossing (Desert Season)” S.A.L.T. is being interpreted as an acronym. It means STRONGER. AFTER. LIVING. TODAY

RTW-M For Carnival Monday, the portrayal is The Desert Lily

THE CLUSTERS The Collection is split into 2 clusters: The Desert & The Oasis

THE MAKING OF THE COLLECTION From sketch to execution

THE ACCESSORIES Lets talk hats and jewelry!

THE SS24 COLLECTION View the Collection

Website: k2k-carnival.com Facebook: K2K Alliance & Partners (“K2K”) Photography: Gary Jordan Photography

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The “365-day Concept” of our brand, which talks to the wearability of the garments after the Carnival Season, continues to comes to life in in our 2024 Collection. Everyone’s wardrobe deserves to have a mix of classic chic with a modern edge and versatility. The 2024 Collection provides just this! Sophisticated pieces with an element of risk. Elegant luxury with a modern edge. Effortless fluidity with versatility. All-in-all, there is something for the moods of you.

The SS24 Collection is themed “The Salt Crossing (Desert Season)” S.A.L.T. is being interpreted as an acronym. It means STRONGER. AFTER. LIVING. TODAY The diagram on the left is the alchemist symbol for salt. Ancient alchemists valued salt as a crucial element in alchemical processes and its symbol was a circle containing a horizontal line through its diameter

U N D E R STA N D I N G T H E C O L L E C T I O N WHY SALT? S. A. L. T. is being interpreted as an acronym, which stands for Stronger. After. Living. Today. Thus, the Collection, The Salt Crossing is symbolic for a rite of passage. Strange enough, salt is everywhere. It is in the salty sweat as we labor. It is in the salty tears we cry, whether from happiness or loss. It is in the natural environment like the desert sands. Salt has a long and storied history. It is more than just a way to season food. It has been used in many cultures, throughout the world and throughout history as a valuable commodity. Since ancient times, many cultures have used it as a seasoning, a preservative, a disinfectant, a component of ceremonial offerings, and a unit of exchange. Salt has even been used to express promises and friendship between people. From a spiritual perspective, slat is believed to have purification and protective qualities that can help the body and spirit to heal.

N O T E S

F R O M

T H E

F O U N D E R S

WHY DESERT SEASON? Desert Season, on the other hand, speaks to a time when one can feel spiritually dry, exhausted, and burnt out – a moment when you are forced to ‘suck salt’. It also talks to the encounter with God in the wilderness. From a Catholic perspective, the wilderness has been referenced as a place of encounter with God. It is documented that God spoke to Abraham while he was in the wilderness. God also brought the Israelites into the wilderness when He wanted to speak to them at Mount Sinai. Similarly, God spoke to Moses and met with Elijah in the wilderness. However, even though these biblical stories are filled with difficult situations and circumstances, God used these difficult times to communicate something meaningful and powerful. Desert Seasons, therefore, can be a time of spiritual growth. It can even lead to a closer relationship with God / a higher power. Interestingly, Desert Seasons can also strengthen one’s character and teach one valuable lessons about oneself.

WHY THE SALT CROSSING - DESERT SEASON? Thus, the theme “The Salt Crossing – Desert Season”, wholistically speaks to life’s journey. Fortunately, or unfortunate is it were, the only way to survive the desert is to cross it. And although one’s initial inclination may be to stay put, standing in one spot, and praying for help, will not help you survive the desert. Unfortunately, you will not find a miracle while standing still in the salty sand. The only thing you will become is beaten down by that the too hot sun and swallowed by the sinking sand dunes. Hence, whether you like it or not, you need to cross the desert to develop the strength to face the heat. The Collection speaks to attributes that one acquires while crossing the salty desert. Those attributes include endurance, courage, perceptiveness, faith, hope and healing. The Collection therein splits into two clusters, (i) The Desert and (ii) The Oasis, with the names of the sections being derived through artifacts, fauna and flora from Deserts from across the globe

N O T E S

F R O M

T H E

F O U N D E R S

NOTHING COMES FROM NOTHING… NOTHING EVER COULD The Sound of Music

ON CLEAR DAYS YOU CAN SEE FOREVER

RTW-M | DESERT LILY

DESERT SEASON

The SS24 Collection is themed “The Salt Crossing (Desert Season)” S.A.L.T. is being interpreted as an acronym. It means STRONGER. AFTER. LIVING. TODAY

The diagram on the left is the alchemist symbol for salt. Ancient alchemists valued salt as a crucial element in alchemical processes and its symbol was a circle containing a horizontal line through its diameter

RT W- M ( R E A DY TO W E A R - M O N DAY ) For Carnival Monday the band is portraying the Desert Lily

UND E R STAND ING T HE RT W- M: The Desert Lily is an adaptive flower that is able to thrive in harsh environments. It symbolizes excellence and overcoming challenges Desert Lilies grow on dry, sandy flats and washes in the Sonoran and eastern Mojave Desert. Over time they have adapted to a desert environment, staying below ground in dry years and shooting up from a bulb when conditions are favorable

N O T E S

F R O M

T H E

F O U N D E R S

DESERT SEASON

K2K SS24 COLLECTION SALT CROSSING (DESERT SEASON) PHOTOGRAPHER: GARY JORDAN MAKE-UP ARTIST: SANDRADENE FEARON MODEL: GRASI LIMA

CLUSTER I T

D E S E R T

The Collection is split into 2 clusters: (i) The Desert (ii) The Oasis The desert cluster speaks to the journey which is designed to strengthen one’s character and teach one valuable lessons about oneself The desert cluster focuses on animals that live and are revered in these harsh environments, which, in and of itself, is a story about survival, courage and determination The sections for the desert cluster are: • The Ships of the Sahara Desert (Endurance) • The Last Lair of the Empty Quarter (Courage) • The Saqr of the Deep Desert of Sharjah (Perceptiveness)

THE SHIPS OF THE

SAHARA DESERT

Endurance

Throughout history, camels had been called ships of the desert. The namesake bestowed because these beasts carry very big loads from one side of the desert to the other. Camels are an important part of Emirati culture that dates back to its roots. In the past, camels were said to be God's gifts to the Bedouin, as these animals often made life in the desert possible, providing everything from transportation, to clothes and even food. Nowadays the camel is still highly regarded and seen as a symbol of Dubai's cultural heritage. Some concepts that are symbolic of camels are wisdom, endurance, survival, service, selfsufficiency, and stamina

THE LAST LAIR OF THE

THE SAQR OF THE

EMPTY QUARTER

SHARJAH DESERT

Rub’ al Khali, with an area of 225,000 square miles, is the largest contiguous desert in the world, covering most of the southern third of the Arabian Peninsula and parts of Oman, the UAE and Yemen. Aptly named the Empty Quarter, this is a place with little else but sand, rippling across with the wind and piling up as giant sand dunes. Despite the harsh environment, the most surprising resident is the Arabian Leopard, a cousin of the African leopard and a highly endangered species.

The Saqr Falcon is a species which is used for hunting in the UAE. Hunting with falcons has been an integral part of Bedouin history on the Arabian Peninsula for 10,000 years. The nomads of desert caught falcons and trained them to catch the game and hare of the desert. With this capture, those who lived in an arid environment, had a food supplement. For Arabs falconry was the way of life where every household irrespective of their social or tribal status had enjoyed the presence of falcons around them. Today, the falcon is the national bird of the UAE and represents both the culture as well as the traditions which are at the heart of its desert people. Strong, fearless, fast and agile, the falcon has all the characteristics that one needed to survive in the harsh environment 29 of the desert.

Courage

The Arabian leopard has been a symbol of strength, freedom and fearlessness and has been found in ancient rock art, mosaics and paintings over the centuries, cementing its position as a revered and respected animal in Saudi Arabia.

Perceptiveness

DESERT SEASON

CLUSTER II T

O A S I S

The Collection is split into 2 clusters: (i) The Desert (ii) The Oasis The Oasis, from a spiritual perspective, talks to making a place for nurturing the deepest wellsprings of the human being The sections for the oasis cluster are: • The Zellij of Lanterns & The Dome of Prayers (Faith) • The Al-Ahsa of the Rub' al Khali (Hope) • The Desert Bloom Migration – The Black Swallowtail & The Queen Butterfly (Healing)

T H E Z E L L I J O F L AT E R N S &

THE DOME OF Faith PRAYERS

Although there are several deserts in Morocco, the country is also known to have some of the most beautiful oases. Additionally, Morocco is also famous for its mosques, palaces, riads, and medinas, each featuring intricate designs and captivating artistry. In terms of artistry, in Morocco, zellij art form remains one of the hallmarks of Moroccan cultural and artistic identity and continues to be used today. The Zellij is a style of mosaic tilework made from individually hand-chiseled tile pieces. It is known to be a wholehearted expression of deep spiritual connection with the Creator. These patterns go on and on in repetition but not without intention - they purposefully serve as reminders of God’s endlessness, bounty, grace, love and mercy.

THE AL-ASHA OF

THE DESERT BLOOM

RUB’ AL KHAKI

MIGRATION

A desert oasis of shady palm groves and crystal clear springs, Al Ahsa Oasis stands as a dazzling haven against the harsh and untamed plains of the Rub' Al Khali (Empty Quarter). Al-Ahsa is the largest self-contained oasis in the world. It includes many national heritage sites and some of the oldest known human settlements dating back thousands of years. Its date-palm oasis is the largest palm oasis surrounded by sand in the world

A desert bloom is a climatic phenomenon that occurs in various deserts around the world. The phenomenon consists of the blossoming of a wide variety of flowers during early-mid spring in years when rainfall is unusually high. About every second or third spring, and in about one autumn in ten, people flock to the California Desert in search of the fabled desert bloom. That's when the desert's native plants take advantage of recent rains, if any, to put out flowers in a desperate attempt to reproduce by setting seed. Even a moderately abundant bloom can be well worth your attention, as the desert's usually earth-toned landscape sports accents in yellow, purple, pink, and orange. Where there are desert flowers, in other words, there are desert butterflies. The butterfly has 33 been a symbol of hope, transformation, and faith for thousands of years.

Hope

Healing

THE MAKING OF THE COLLECTION

THE STORY BEHIND THE COLLECTION | FROM SKETCH TO EXECUTION

FIGURE STUDY FOR THE THE SHIPS OF THE DESERT (ENDURANCE) 35

THE SALT CROSSING Every collection starts from a quiet personal place & space.

FIGURE STUDY FOR THE SAQR OF THE DEEP DESERT OF SHARJAH (PERCEPTIVENESS)

THE SALT CROSSING Have you ever put salt to a wound? I have, many times. I have even had salt poured onto me too. Salt burns. But then, salt heals the bruise. Funny enough, although salt is said to heal, the scar tissue that the salt creates, is permanent. And while time is said to heal all scars, time does not always prove to be a gentle bandage for a sore. Life, whether we want to acknowledge it or not, is a salt crossing. And with each pathway, each wrong turn, each crossroad, we earn a welt of experience. S.A.L.T. I will be stronger after living today.

FIGURE STUDY FOR THE ZELLIJ OF LANTERS & THE DOME OF PRAYERS (FAITH) 39

It was easy to think of God, and of Allah, and of Yahweh, while watching the sun rise over The Empty Quarter. It was easy to think of all the could’ve, should’ve, would’ve, and near misses along this beaten path. But life, This Salt Crossing, doesn’t give a damn about failures. It doesn’t care about the times when happenstance forced you to suck-salt. Nor does it sympathize with you, when cataclysmic moments have beaten you down in the too-blazing-heat-of-despair. The Salt Crossing is for the traveler who can survive the chapblistered-salt-scarred-damage of the desert. This Salt Crossing is for the voyeur who focuses on the oasis of hope. It is for the one who sets his eyes on the prize - further than the Burj Al Arab, further than the horizon that the eyes can see. This Salt Crossing is for the saintly-sinner; the blessedly-damned. It is for the survivor.

FIGURE STUDY FOR THE ZELLIJ OF LANTERS & THE DOME OF PRAYERS (FAITH) 41

T H E

MILLINER’S

UCH

A new emporium of luxury accessories has been revealed, showcasing a selection of millinery artistry. With a dainty attitude, this collection of hats accented with the tams gives off a very sophisticated vibe.

L E T ’ S

T A L K

ACCESSORIES Idiosyncratic is her temperament! A woman wants her wardrobe to capture her every single mood. She wants to express her softer yet bold side all in one look. She desires to make a uniquely individualistic statement. Her distinctive panache could be expressed by simply adding a “statement piece”. When an accessory is described as a statement piece, it means that it has moved away from being a mere add-on to an item that makes you take notice. Arguably anything can be your statement piece – from your handbag to your shoes. It seems that even your hair can be a central point of focus these days. However, without a doubt one of the more interesting trends that has developed is the addition of costume jewelry. Moreso, it is using costume jewelry as statement pieces.

ACCESS M Y

S T A T E M E N T

RIES

PIECE It seems that costume pieces are the order of the day, and the super-size costume neckpiece is a closet essential. Traditional items such as pearl necklaces have taken on a twist this season. They have gotten larger and more clunky. This Carnival season K2K has introduced our own line of accessories. We hope that you enjoy them after carnival too!

The story of ANGOSTURA® aromatic bitters is a journey through time. It started in 1824, when founder Dr. Johann Siegert first produced aromatic bitters as a medicinal tincture designed to alleviate stomach ailments. In the 1870’s, Dr. Siegert’s three sons migrated to Trinidad, among them Don Carlos Siegert, who pioneered the brand, establishing ANGOSTURA® aromatic bitters as an integral ingredient in cocktails and in food. The rest, as they say, is history. ANGOSTURA® aromatic bitters is today a staple for bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts, professional and home cooks alike, bounded only by the creativity and imaginations of those who use it.

DARE TO DREAM BUT BE BOLD ENOUGH TO MAKE YOUR DREAMS A REALITY

SOMETIMES YOU FIND YOURSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE & SOMETIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE YOU FIND YOURSELF

SS24 COLLECTION

THE DESERT

Cluster 1

• The Ships of the Sahara Desert (Endurance) • The Last Lair of the Empty Quarter (Courage) • The Saqr of the Dep Desert of Sharjah (Perceptiveness)

SS24 COLLECTION

THE OASIS

Cluster 11

• The Zellij of Lanterns & The Dome of Prayers (Faith) • The Al-Asha of Rub Al’ Khaki (Hope) • The Desert Bloom Migration (Healing)

THE SHIPS OF

THE SAHARA DESERT (ENDURANCE)

TAKE

A WALK ON THE

BOLD SIDE

(THE SHIPS OF THE SAHARA DESERT)

M Y C O L O R M Y S T A T E M E N T BOLD isn’t just a wardrobe choice. It is a way of approaching the world each and every day

T H E M U LT I - W AY C O N V E R T I B L E

JACKET-DRESS THE NEW MUST HAVE This dress can be worn several ways. Pair your gown with a swim and transform your garment from a dress to a jacket. Then shift the shoulders, and create a one-side kaftan or a halter style down. Feeling for something more romantic, shift your belt from the waist to under the bust and create an empire style gown. Discover the piece that captures the various sides of you

THE LAST LAIR OF

THE EMPTY QUARTER (COURAGE)

T H E M U LT I - W AY C O N V E R T I B L E

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THE MEETING OF

TWO WORLDS THE DESERT & THE OASIS Our challenge this season was to create a unique closet that straddled the feel of the desert without the Collection being monochromatic and capturing the oasis, while keeping some element of the natural environment. The palette moves from earth tones to is very vibrant, depicting the movement from the desert to the oasis

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T H E M U LT I - W AY C O N V E R T I B L E

JACKET-DRESS THE NEW MUST HAVE

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OUR UNISEX OPTION

MAKE THE ULITIMATE STATEMENT ELEGANTLY COMFORTABLE This set is extremely versatile. Our loose fitting tunic can be worn open or closed to suite different occasions, while our modern harem pants makes the ultimate statement

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THE SAQR OF

THE DEEP DESERT OF SHARJAH (PERCEPTIVENESS)

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RELEASE YOUR WILDER SIDE

THE ANIMAL INSTINCT There was a time when animal print was considered déclassé. But nowadays animal print makes it debut everywhere from ready-towear lines to couture to accessories. There seems to be just something about animal print that draws our attention and never fails to drive women and men wild. This season add a little mystique to your closet with this must-have gown.

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FROM CASUAL

TO FORMAL

WITH THE SWING OF A JACKET SILKY CHIFFON CAPE JACKET Transform your look from from casual to formal with the simple addition of our silky chiffon cape jacket. In line with our 365-Day Concept, this cape jacket is the perfect wardrobe piece. Pair it with our dress or simply wear it with a jeans and white tank. Either way, you will surely create and ethereal statement.

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THE SAQR OF THE DEEP DESERT OF SHARJAH The Saqr Falcon is a species which is used for hunting in the UAE. Hunting with falcons has been an integral part of Bedouin history on the Arabian Peninsula for 10,000 years. The nomads of desert caught falcons and trained them to catch the game and hare of the desert. With this capture, those who lived in an arid environment, had a food supplement. For Arabs falconry was the way of life where every household irrespective of their social or tribal status had enjoyed the presence of falcons around them. Today, the falcon is the national bird of the UAE and represents both the culture as well as the traditions which are at the heart of its desert people. Strong, fearless, fast and agile, the falcon has all the characteristics that one needed to survive in the harsh environment of the desert.

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THE ZELLIJ OF LANTERNS &

THE DOME OF PRAYERS (FAITH)

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R E F I N E D

T H A T &

E L E G A N C E

C A P T U R E S

T R A D I T I O N

S O P H I S T I C A T I O N

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T I M E L E S S N E V E R

E L E G A N C E

F A D E S

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THE LANTER N OF FAITH

BACKPACK

FAITH CAN ONLY TRULY BE TESTED WHEN ALL AROUND YOU GOES DARK

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T H E A R C H WAY O F P R AY E R S

BACKPACK

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THE ZELLIJ OF LANTERNS AND THE DOME OF PRAYERS (FAITH)

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ALINE SILHOUETTE WITH LOW BACK & SENSUAL CUT OUTS

DARINGLY ELEGANT This Season marked the return of the "Cut-Out" – a glamorous, penetrating, party-oriented trend

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THE CANDLE IN THE DARK

BACKPACK

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LIGHT GLOWS BRIGHTEST WHEN EVERYTHING GOES PITCH

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T H E M U LT I - W AY C O N V E R T I B L E

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T H E M U LT I - W AY C O N V E R T I B L E

JACKET-DRESS A TIME FOR ROMANCE This romantic piece is all about softness, flow and and overall femininity

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THE AL-ASHA OF

RUB’ AL KHALI (HOPE)

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THE AL-ASHA OF

RUB’ AL KHALI (HOPE II)

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THE AL-ASHA OF

RUB’ AL KHALI (HOPEIII)

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DISCOVER

F LO R A L A RT Sheer delicately overlapped with embellished floral motifs to create fantastical dreamscapes that embrace the body in figure-defining forms

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THE ESSENCE OF

DECADENCE Mesh panels with intricately cut cascading shapes will catapult you into a new league. Paired with over exaggerated flowers, this statement piece takes on a new level of desire and fantasy.

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THE DESERT BLOOM

MIGRATION (HEALING)

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THE POWER OF

CHANGE We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the change that it ahs gone through to achieve that beauty ~ MAYA ANGELOU

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DESERT SEASON