THE BUSINESS OF FASHION

MARK ANTHONY

Noted male designer, Mark Anthony, envisions a father and son collection for Island Child Style. “Just imagining a father and son strutting their M.A.D on the runway brings me loads of excitement. I cant wait.” He describes his collection as fun, funky and flattering.

The Business of Fashion

By Ayesha Barnett

When we think of the fashion capitals of the world, undoubtedly New York, Paris, Milan and London come to mind, with world renowned designers such as Derek Lam, Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, Hermès, Valentino and Versace, often premier their collections at the varying fashion weeks. If you’re fashion minded, then you know that this multi-billion dollar industry can be an economic dream to a country. But what of the Caribbean?

The Caribbean has always been seen as a mecca for tremendous talent and unique creativity. In Jamaica, the fashion industry is fast becoming one to watch, with many of our local and regional designers slowly but surely making a name for themselves on the international markets with our unique culture and stylings. Through events such as Saint International Style Week, Pulse’s Caribbean Fashion Week, Collection MoDa and now, Island Child Style, we’re seeing the evolution of fashion as we know it in the Caribbean and the introduction of our talented designers and young models to the Global Fashion Market. These events have been curated for the development of new and emerging talents in the fashion industry of the Caribbean.

Despite the notable strides made in fashion, there’s still much further to go. With much more emphasis to be placed on more designers securing international retail contracts for boutiques and department stores worldwide and more international exposure for our designers on the much larger fashion stages.

Island Child Style is one such avenue that aims to contribute to the Caribbean’s Fashion Industry by continuing the conversation surrounding Caribbean children’s fashion, its importance, its aesthetic and its place as a recognizable economic power house on the local and international stage.

“This is such an exciting time for children’s fashion in the Caribbean, as we are witnessing a distinct interest in building our regional economies by supporting home-grown talent,” shares editor Michelle Gordon.

Island Child Style 2018 runway show features 16 notable designers, all creating unique looks that complement the island child’s style. Together the sesigners create an enigmatic blend of cultural interpretation and style diversity. With over 75 child models on the show, the runway event is a true representation of the Caribbean’s ethnic and cultural diversity; and undoubtedly the largest child fashion event in the region.

Island Child Style’s Style Director Norma Williams identified designers including Cotton Candy, Mahambeth, FlowerChild1999, Polkadotz and Mark Anthony among others to join in collaborating to make this year’s staging as memorable as the 2016 staging. The collections provide a unified representation of the island child fashion and some mini-me looks. The influences of the Caribbean can be clearly seen in this year’s collections with uniqueness, attitude to vibrance and beautiful colours.

This season the cohort of designers will be making 12-piece collections that range from resort wear to formal, fun & funky to chic and classic.

MEET THE DESIGNERS:

ASD

ASD’s first children’s collection is a mini version of ASD’s current illustrated clothing line featuring the illustrated faces of children. ASD is a fun and whimsical brand that appeals to adults and children alike, will be able to identify with- representation matters.

COTTON CANDY

Cotton Candy is simplymade kids clothing for our island lifestyle. A genuine need for clothing that is light weight natural cotton blends, fun, tropical and easily mixed and matched was a key driving force. The first presentation of The Cotton Candy Collection will be a bold juxtaposition of delicate yet vibrant. A fusion of organic fabrics and straight forward lines that are a reflection of our Caribbean, Island life. Filled with colour, prints, and always an unexpected twist on fabric mixes of cottons, linen, muslin and voile. The collection will set aside a space for the “organic neutrals” with a peek a white cottons and oatmeal linens.”

FLOWERCHILD1999

FlowerChild1999 is comfortable island style with some edge, using fabrics not typically used for kids clothing. “The fact that kids fashion is so limited in Jamaica and there is such a huge market for it here. I am happy that designers doing kids fashion have this platform!” FlowerChild1999 is the creation of designer Kaysian Bourke

KOKOBEENZ:

Kokobeenz, by Ann-Marie Robinson-Chin, providers of high quality unique apparel made from natural fibres, consistently creating unique pieces whilst maintaining our focus on customer satisfaction. Being in the fashion design industry for over 10 years now, Kokobeenz has been building their brand as leaders in resort wear. “Seeing the children on the catwalk makes the show so much fun compared to the standard fashion show. This year our collection is fun, flair and sophisticated.”

GABI GIRL

Kingston-based designer, Romi Toyloy loves family, being creative and Jamaica. The collection is island girl-friendly, pro Jamaica, stylish and fun.“Island Child Style is a quality event and an ideal forum for next generation designers like myself to grow and be seen. I took my first steps as a designer in 2013 but it was the 2016 Island Child Style show that really sealed the deal. It pushed me to dig deep and really see what I was capable of.”

NEAHLIS

Lisa McIntosh-Aris is a mother, a wife and double threat as a celebrity hairstylist and fashion designer. She studied business and fashion art at Boston University and favours the dress as the foundation for her collection. Her designs feature brightly coloured eyecatching knit prints that flow over the female form creating comfort and style. Her boutique in Kingston, Jamaica is the hub of the business where clients can have both ready-to-wear as well as custom offerings.

KINGS KREATION

For Designer, Pebbles King of King Kreation, lsland Child Style is the only avenue that seeks to groom the next generation with style, class, beauty, while building their self-esteem. Having been in the industry for more than 20 years, Pebbles is no newby and understands that the business of fashion takes time and a lot of hard work. Her youthful, fresh and trendy collection for Island Child Style promises to wow and inspire.

ZAID

Zaid Smith fashion evolved out of the passion for art and modeling. “My art work was the fundamental thing that led me into the fashion industry, inspired by nature and fascinated by colours and shades, my pencil and paint brush became the main tools to express and push forward my artistic skills. “Island Child Style fills my heart with excitement and my eyes with tears of joy just to the next generation walk the run way at such a young age, and to know that a avenue like this existed for the younger me, as a model and now a designer. This gives me hope for the industry.”

AJYA RAINWEAR BY ALVETA

Jamaican import but Bahamian by birth, Alveta Knight is a kaleidoscope of all things Caribbean. Her ethos encompasses roles as a professional to philanthropist to conceptualizer. All in all, this designer who has raindrops that keep falling on her head, laughs in the rain and embraces the blessings. Excited about the ability to explore her creativity with this line, seasoned Island Child Style designer Alveta describes her collection as colourful, exuberant, energetic.

BLESSED BY MAMAYASHI MAHAMBETH

The youngest designer on the show is Blessed by Blessed Gilligan, 5-year-old son of fashion designer Mamayashi and selector/producer Rory Stone Love. Inspired by his mother’s online business, he expressed his vision of having his own clothing line designed for children.

Blessed has travelled worldwide alongside his mother to garner experiences with a variety of cultures. At home with his father, he interacts with some of Jamaica’s greatest and upcoming musicians. His life is the marriage of fashion and music. Mahambeth Lawrence has been sewing for 8 years and this year she launches her children’s collection on the runway of Island Child Style. Excited at the prospect of being a part of such a phenomenal production, she hopes that her pieces will influence and help to propel a new era of children’s fashion and styling in Jamaica. “What is exciting to me about doing Island Child Style is the challenge to create children’s clothing that is fashionable but appropriate. I’ve always stayed away from it because I simply thought I wouldn’t be good at it.” With a collection called Spanish Town, reminiscent of the old capital, with its juxtaposition between classy and urban, I am keeping my eyes open for wow pieces from this collection.

POLKA DOTS

Polka Dots resort wear line by Cheryl Robinson, is the epitome of island style through the symbolic use of breezy crushed cotton and fluid tropical prints. Their brand of comfortably chic, easy breezy, versatile clothing lends itself to widespread appeal. “I am excited about Island Child Style more so because of the level of professionalism of the show’s production and also the kids. I have often said that I think they can compete with the adult models any day. They rock!”

Dr Mellissa

Green-Powe BSc(Hons), DDS, FICOI

Dr. Mellissa Green-Powe, Dental Surgeon, has been practising dentistry for over 10 years and is experienced in cosmetic and general dentistry for the entire family. Both of her practices offer:

Oral Examinations Oral Prophylaxis Fissure Sealant Fillings Normal & Surgical Extractions Root Canal Therapy Crown & Bridges Minor Oral Surgery Teeth Whitening and more

The Tooth Centre

Dental Practice The Tooth Centre provides dental services for both children and adults. We have a kiddie play area while they wait. Our professional team consists of: Dental Surgeons Dental Hygienist

Located at 13 Oxford Terrace, Kingston 5 Telephone: (876) 906-0565 & (876) 906-1360

Sylvan Family Care

Dental & Medical Sylvan Family Care is a holistic family centre providing care in Medical and Dental Services, with a kiddie dental room. Our professional team is comprised of: Dental Surgeons Dental Hygienist Family Physician Gynecologists/Obstetricians General Surgeon

Located at 4A Sylvan Avenue, Kingston 5 Telephone: (876) 754-2537 & (876) 754-3453 Website: www.sylvanfamilycare.com

N’LIGHTN

A self-proclaimed island girl at heart, Nahima Buchanan is N’lightn! Having been in the business for a little over 9 years, Nahima is not new to island child fashion. The recurrent theme of NlightN collections have been, eclectic yet traditional with a modern twist. Each collection represents an evolution in regards to modern concepts, while maintaining traditional ethnicity particularly through fabric choices. “We are all Island children. The concept of Island Child Style resonates cultural representation and fashion - for the youths! That has been a vision of mine for some years now and is cultivated through the N’lightN brand.” This collection has strong displays of Caribbean culture and fashion as a statement of self and purpose.

SHENNA CARBY

Shenna Carby is a Jamaican women’s wear designer. Her beautiful designs ruled the catwalk as she became the winner of the first staging of Mission Catwalk 2011. She is a vivacious, creative and eccentric designer. Shenna’s environment influenced her love for fashion through the bold, unusual and stylish nature of its people. This will be her fist children’s collection.

While this event is an excellent opportunity for local designers to showcase their wares, Island Child Style hopes to be able to do more by bringing added global recognition to these local designers.

The fashion industry in the region is growing and strengthening all the time, through events of this nature. There is movement in all directions of the industry, which bodes well for the development of the industry. Undoubtedly, events like Island Child Style have played a role in adding definition to the Caribbean as being stylish and fashionable. It is an opportunity for Caribbean designers to create with greater freedom and innovation, truly showcasing their creations and interpretations of beauty in the Caribbean.