By Walter Greene

There is a strong Jamaican presence in the fashion industry. Designers
like; Sadie Soas, Norma Soas, Uzuri International, Moncrieffe, Pat
Wright, Carone Crawford, Cedella Marley `Catch A Fire,' The Mushroom,
SIIM, Courtney Washington, Sandra Kennedy, Bill Edwards....just to name
a few, have definitely paved the way for a new crop of emerging fashion designers from Jamaica that
are making waves and gaining notoriety on the fashion landscape.
Working mainly out of Jamaica, London, New York and Florida, the new
crop of young Jamaican designers bring a fresh flavor to the Caribbean
fashion playing filed. Out of London comes the talented GAVIN DOUGLAS who continues to woo the
European sect with his futuristic view of women's wear. In New York,
young CAMESHA POWELL and her line labeled `Poshe' is a force to reckon
with as is the line from DOMINIQUE AUXILLY.

GREGORY H.O.D.
During the London Olympics 2012 a select few Caribbean designers
presented a capsule showing at Grosvenor House Hotel in London,
Jamaica was well represented by ARLENE MARTIN and her line called
`Attitudes.' Young designer GREGORY H.O.D. recently won the main prize
on the second season of `Mission Catwalk' a fashion designer's
competition/reality television show that's a Caribbean version of
`Project Runway' which is shot in Jamaica. Gregory previously showed his
collections at both Caribbean Fashion Week and Styleweek in Jamaica,
and copped the `Avant Garde' award at Styleweek in 2010.

FRANZ CHRISTIE
20 year-old enterprising young designer FRANZ CHRISTIE, an alumni and
finalist of last season's `Mission Catwalk' has since opened his own
store in Kingston and showcased a very lavish collection called
`Tropical Glow' at Styleweek in Kingston this past May. He impressed
the audience as the one to watch: a designer of immense talent. He showed
flowing pieces in bold color including an asymmetric gown in a tropical
print silk and a sexy, body hugging jumpsuit in pink and white
polka-dots. "I wanted nothing less than to bring forth the strong era
of our tropical styles in color that blends creativity...In summary, my
collection for Styleweek was simply, vibrant, playful, fresh, flowing,
edgy and futuristic. I design for a woman of substance who dare to take
style to another level," said the designer.

NEALIS
Also unleashing a great talent base was NEALIS, another young designer
out of Kingston, who has honed her craft and is now a name on the lips
and hip of fashionestas throughout the region. Her flair for the
dramatic and versatility was evident in the different collections shown
at Styleweek. At the `International Mecca of Style' Nealis showed a
totally different fashion point of view that she did at `High Tea &
Style With The First Lady' on the lawns of King's House, Then she came
back with a powerful punch that saluted Jamaica's 50th in the bold
colors of the Jamaica flag for the `Fashionblock' finale' of Styleweek.

RICK B's
On the menswear page, designer RICK Bs is the man of the season, during
the menswear showcase at Devon House, Rick turned up the volume with a
dramatic and youthful men's collection featuring beautifully tailored
suits, tight fitting knee shorts and colorful shirts all bearing a
youthful, trendy vibe that is sweeping the nation. He was right on
trend with today's low waisted slacks, colorful, fitted shirts and well tailored sharkskin suits that was a hit with the audience. Rick Bs menswear are fashion forward and bear a level of workmanship that is fit for a master tailor. He is pushing the boundaries as a modern day tailor/designer that is a welcome addition to the cadre' of original menswear fashion designers from the Caribbean region.

Captions:

1-      Nealis creation on stage

2-      Franz Christie creation

3-      Courtney Washington design

4-      Courtney Washington design

5-      Nealis creation

6-      Designer Nealis at one of her Kingston showcased wearing her own creation

7-      Nealis creation

8-      Nealis creation