ISLAND DESIGNER STYLE

KADIAN NICELY

Kadian Nicely Exclusive is a Jamaican clothing brand which depicts vibrant and eclectic styles. “We provide a sense of confidence to women as they wear our designs feeling empowered and unstoppable. We create style, fashion and exclusivity,” shares Nicely, whose designs over the past 12 years have captured the hearts of her loyal clientele. She has described her design aesthetic as ‘fashion with a grand entrance’ (All Woman Fashion), and designing for children is no different. Bold, dramatic pieces will emerge from Nicely’s 2022 Holiday collection on the Island Child Style runway.

Island Designer Style

By Michelle Gordon

The children’s apparel industry continues to take its cues from the latest seasons and trends dominating the adult designer markets. From timeless masterpieces to seasonal palettes - the world’s foremost designers set the stage that a multi-billion dollar kids industry uses as a benchmark for success.

Regionally our Caribbean designers are positioned to influence international markets by way of increased exposure on larger and more global fashion stages.

Exponential growth in social media and digital platforms, is leveling the playing field, where access to promote kids apparel fuels an increase in market development. It’s become easier to reach and entice parents through social media platforms such as Facebook, Youtube and Instagram.

Island Child Style, being the only such event in Jamaica, is repositioning its brand postcovid, to contribute in a meaningful way to the Caribbean’s Fashion Industry. “Continuing the conversation surrounding Caribbean children’s fashion, its importance, aesthetic and its place as a recognizable economic power house on the local and international stage, is a key factor in building our regional economies by supporting home-grown talent.”

Island Child Style 2022 runway show features 15 designers, all creating unique looks that complement the island child’s style. This year, with 120 child models on the show, the runway event remains a true representation of the Caribbean’s ethnic and cultural diversity; and undoubtedly the largest child fashion event in the region.

THEODORE ELYETT

Theodore Elyett was only thirteen years old when he was “discovered,” after he designed an outfit for a friend to wear in a modelling competition in the Bahamas. Since then, he has created award-winning gowns for the Miss Bahamas Pageant, and was a winner of the Bahamian competition Runway to Fashion Week and last year’s Mission Catwalk, the Jamaican reality TV show. Elyett perfected his craft at some of the most prestigious fashion schools in New York and London, and is currently working on his much-anticipated 2014 collection. He’s a force to be reckoned with, designing clothes with character and personality for the world-travelling woman who dares to be different.

(MEP Publishers) Bio republished from Retro chic: Theodore Elyett | Caribbean Beat Magazine https://www.caribbean-beat.com/retrochic#ixzz7ltOHUMzT

ANTHONY REID FOR MEILING

Anthony Reid is the first to tell you that he has no formal training as a designer. It’s his eye for detail and penchant for flair that guides him in the creation of menswear that is distinguishable, stylish and unforgettable.

For Anthony it’s all about quality, so his designs are not driven by fads. Instead, he pays attention to trends and refreshes on the classics, deconstructing every idea and reinterpreting it in his own style to carve out a unique niche for himself. With the Caribbean man Anthony draws inspiration from his many travels, adopting details which have become hallmarks of his own creations- ecclectic, never boring and always fascinating.

Anthony has designed menswear alongside Meiling for many major regional fashion events in Martinique, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, Dominican Republic and also in New York and Canada.

BLESSED

BLESSED is created by Blessed Gilligan, 9-year-old son of fashion designer Mamayashi and Rory of Stonelove. Blessed is very creative and enjoys music, art, nature, animals, playing, and being free. When he is not busy with fashion or schoolwork, he likes to travel, draw and paint, play the keyboard and guitar as well as practice kung fu. He has put together a clothing line that reflects the excitement and wonder of childhood as only he can. At five years old he expressed his vision of having his own clothing line designed for children. By the next year he was showing his first collection called ‘Kingston Lights’ at the prestigious Island Child Style fashion show in Jamaica. Kingston Lights was widely acclaimed and featured in the international hit show Queen Sugar. Since then, BLESSED’s collections have been highly anticipated and met with eager support.

LOGAN WATKINS

At seven years old, Logan Watkins has decided that she will be a fashion designer. Her debut collection at Island Child Style 2022 was born out of her a nity for crafty free-hand drawings, paintings and playing dress up. The young designer has an eye for all that shimmers and a love for unicorns which is clearly illustrated in her designs. Logan Unicorn is a celebration of a little girl’s love for vibrant colours and the awe of magical unicorns.

LIAN WHITE

Out of the murk and mud, the lotus blooms into its pure and divine self - what's old is made new. Lian White is a 14-year-old designer with a passion for all things fashion. Her debut Lotus Collection is homage to the beauty of rebirth, using forgotten textiles and reworking them to create these original masterpieces. 'Eternally Blossoming.'

LUCIEN HARRISON

Jamaican fashion designer Lucien Harrison recalls developing a keen interest in and having an eye for fashion when he was 9 years old. “I remember designing and creating outfits from scratch, and wanting to pursue a career as a full-time fashion designer.”

His career would see him getting exactly what he wanted having added to his list of clients, some of Jamaica’s notable personalities and entertainers including TV Host Simone Clarke Cooper and international artistes Jada Kingdom and Shensea. “My designs present a distinctive look on the runway, with ready-to-wear collections that have an ultra, unisex, yet timeless look and feel. I want my designs to leave an impact.”

NADENE EDMONDSON

From being a self-taught dressmaker to now producing sought-after couture pieces, Nadene Edmondson’s love for fashion has created for her a space as one of Kingston’s leading seamstresses. However, having had the opportunity to create pieces for children, Nadene is reminded of where her inspiration began. “I used to see my mother sewing for children in our community and she would labour intensely, sometimes through sleepless nights, to be able to deliver the perfect garment. She would always say that she couldn’t disappoint a child.” Today, Nadene admits that something ‘comes alive in her’ whenever she sews for a child. “I put my heart and soul in every garment I create for children, because I am passionate about never disappointing a child.”

KING’S KREATION

King's Kreation 2022 by Pebbles King is inspired by the butterfly, with this year’s theme being Transformation.

There's something magical about the transformation of a caterpillar to a butterfly, making new fresh colorful fashion for our brave, confident and beautiful children. With almost 25 years of experience as a Designer, Pebbles King understands the challenges and rewards of creative industries as part of the journey to becoming an established designer. Pebbles has been a part of Island Child Style since inception and maintains that the show is the only avenue to seeks to groom the next generation of both models and designers.

Share the moment.

CLUB COUTURE

Shanice Wright is lover of fashion, mom of two handsome boys and serial entrepreneur who took her passion for fashion to the online space in the form of a blog which later transformed into an online boutique. Her mantra is “Follow your passion and it will lead you to your purpose.“ Having left her 9 - 5 in accounting to follow her dreams of becoming a fashion designer, Shanice is in fact living in her purpose while looking fabulous doing it.

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. She pursued fashion design at Garmex HEART Academy and has been designing for the past 15 years. Her interest in children’s couture piqued after she herself became a mother. This is her third children’s collection, having debuted her first at Island Child Style 2018.

AJYA RAINWEAR BY ALVETA

Alveta Knight is Bahamian by birth and Jamaica by design - literally. She is a kaleidoscope of all things Caribbean, with a love for the region that encompasses all her roles from professional, to philanthropist, to designer. Raindrops continue to fall on her head. This is Knight’s 3rd rainwear collection and her first with a dedicated accessory collection.

Laughing in the rain for the Ajya Rainwear designer epitomizes the spirit of a beautiful childhood and the celebration of blessings in abundance.

BrandED

BY NORMA WILLIAMS

ZURI IZABELLE GIRLS CLOTHING COMPANY ZIGGY MARLEY X APPAMAN

Zuri Izabelle Girls Clothing Co. is the brainchild of mother and daughter duo, Latoya Hylton and Zuri, after whom the company is named (first and middle names). Zuri means “Beautiful” and Izabelle means “God’s Promise”. Zuri is the inspiration behind the creative concept and at just 6 years old she helps Mommy make the magic happen. Conceptualised for girls 3-12 years old, Zuri Izabelle offers dresses, tutu skirts, sets, comfort fits, hair bows, tees and all other princess must-haves. At Zuri Izabelle all girls are Bold, Smart & Gorgeous and our outfits and accessories helps to remind them of just that.

Zuri Izabelle Girls Clothing Company was created in love and a firm belief in the power of “God’s Beautiful Promise”. The December 2022 Collection is called Pieces of Bella, depicting the versatile styles of a Bella, the pieces will pay tribute to a girl who can rock fierceness, comfort chic, cute & adorable as well as badass. Norweigan native Harald Husum is the founder and designer of Appaman. His inspiration for the brand is the whimsical spirit of his childhood that celebrates the unbreakable bond between a boy and his pet ape while growing up in Norway.

Appaman teamed up for the second time with eight-time Grammy Winner, Emmy Winner, musician, author, and humanitarian, Ziggy Marley and family to create a seasonal capsule collection. This collection was inspired by Ziggy's love for music while embodying his Jamaican roots' colors and feel-good vibes. The collection comprises graphic tees, knit shorts, and beach-inspired outfits.

Appaman gives us ‘cool kids street cred’. Ziggy Marley gives us ultimate island vibes.

What a cool combination!