Our heritage is often about our ancestry and ethnicity. Jamaica, with its motto: ‘Out Of Many, One,’ is a fusion of cultures and ethnic groups. We look to the nation’s symbols themselves for a connection to heritage, and use the national colours for inspiration for this week’s Rock The Cloth.

Instead of focusing on the combination of all three colours, we encourage people to select one as the primary hue for the outfit and accent with one other national colour. The use of other accent colours does not take away from the theme, if we choose to celebrate one aspect only, such as the yellow of the sunshine or the green of our beautiful land, or the black for the hardships – or, as some prefer, strength.

It is also stylish to add prints, designs and fabrics from ethnicities other than your own in recognition of the fusion of our nation. Examples for such styles may be

o the use of an African print on a non-traditional garment style;

o Indian fabric or garments;

o As well as the Chinese-style garments, or an adaptation of such a silhouette.

Incorporating specific design details, silhouettes, fabric or colours of a specific ethnic group may be combined with one of the national colours as well, as we pay tribute this heritage month and onwards through our clothing.

Of course, instead of wearing an actual piece of clothing, we can simply introduce accessories into the look. We styled the green dress with a Jamaican-made straw clutch from a local craft market and local hand-made lignum vitae earrings. Be creative in your fashion representation of our heritage as a way to remember and pay tribute to who we are.

Steps (black dress):

1. Cut dress front and back; and facing for neckline and armhole.

2. Join the front to the back at the sides and shoulders: for both the dress and the facings.

3. Join facings to garment at neckline and at the armholes.

4. Finish seams and hem.

*For larger bust sizes, darts will provide a better fit, even with the knit.

Photos: Marc Evans

Model: Euricka Brown