Jason Bennett

Rhowan James: Rhowan James, a Toronto native-born to Jamaican parents who immigrated to Canada, showed him the meaning of hard work and how to never give up on his dreams. At a young age, he developed a passion for fashion and a desire to customize and accessorize clothing, to fit his taste.

Rhowan grew up watching his father getting ready for church every Sunday morning. Intrigued by his father’s sense of style, it taught him how to take pride in his appearance when presenting himself to the world.

Without any formal training in fashion, he knew that teaching himself this artistic craft would be a challenge. However, with sheer determination, pure passion, and drive, he learned everything about the process of designing clothes by reverse-engineering them. He taught himself how to design, construct, cut, and sew his patterns and fabrics. He started creating designs that reflected his interests, as inspired by various trips taken abroad, he soon envisioned what he wanted in a menswear brand.

In 2017, he knew that it was time to launch his self-entitled menswear brand, Rhowan James. He endeavors to give a fresh point of view for menswear. His goal is to become a leading international fashion brand. In 2017 Rhowan was nominated for Toronto Men’s Fashion Week (*TOM) Emerging Menswear Designer Award. Showing his first collection with 10 looks, he won the award and was the last winner of this award in *TOM history.

In the fall of 2019, he showcased his newest collection for Spring-Summer 2020. Although entering a new decade with hope and new possibilities, the world was affected by Covid-19 with the fashion industry being hit the hardest.

Fortunately, in 2020, he had to quickly shift gears and started making PPE masks to help support his business. During these hard times, it brought out a new fire and determination not to give up. Presently, Rhowan is planning to showcase his new collection in the fall for Spring-Summer 2022.

Jason Bennett: Jason Bennett or SIRWALTERFASHIONISTO to most has always had a unique take on fashion since his teenage years. Raised in Toronto by Trinidadian parents, the 80’s and 90’s street style and unique suiting inspired him to become fearless with his sense of style. Always wanting to look his best no matter where he went and to stand out in a crowd.

JASON BENNETT

Jason would take advantage of his time after school and head into downtown Toronto to some of the cities stylish shopping areas such as: Yorkville, Yorkdale and the ever so popular Yonge & Bloor Streets. Jason would walk around and admire some of the best dressed people, eventually falling more in love with fashion.

He went to school in the United States for Communications and Commercial Art, but fashion was still his passion. While in college, he discovered photography and become his Teachers Assistant for the photography studio and darkrooms. He decided to marry his two passions. He took some amazing photos of friends on campus and word travelled quickly and he became the stylish photographer that people would come to to get amazing indoor or outdoor photos done.

In 2017, Jason got reacquainted with Rhowan at a friends house. Rhowan said that he was doing his collection and was going to NYC to be part of Small Boutique Fashion Week. I told him that I would love to come and support him at his show. The show ended up being cancelled while they were both enrolee to NYC. They decided to still meet up and walked through lower Manhattan’s shopping areas. Walking into designer stores, smaller boutiques looking at styles from different designers and people on the NYC streets. They got dinner and Rhowan showed Jason his look book. Jason was enamoured and very impressed. As Jason flipped the pages, he fell in love with each piece. Jason told Rhowan that if he needed anything else from that moment on, he was his guy. And as they say….the rest is history.

Jason has been helping and assisting Rhowan with every facet of his brand. Naming items, accounting, buying fabric, cutting, sewing, choosing models, pricing, dressing and styling models. Not only for photo shoots but for all of his runway shows. From Toronto, NYC & Montreal. There is nothing like oneon-one teaching from a great designer.

Jason’s currently helping Rhowan with his newest Spring/Summer Collection for 2022.