It’s Tuesday afternoon, and we’re in a comfy suite on the 16th floor of the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel sipping bubbly, nibbling on tasty hors d’oeuvres and ready to engage nine, young, enterprising women on their sense of style, business acumen and, most importantly, what keeps them firmly rooted on The Rock.

Kristina Broderick — owner, Kristina Broderick Jewellery

Is wearing…Bridget sandals, Kristina Broderick cuff and earrings, David Lerner tights.

Her favourite local designers are, you guessed it: Kristina Broderick and Bridget Brown for Bridget sandals — “I wear them for every occasion, morning, noon or night.”

On the international scene, it’s H&M.

Her style she describes as boho chic.

And just how stylish does she reckon Jamaicans are? Evolving… Maybe a 7/8 on a scale of 10.

For which show at New York Fashion Week would she love to nab front-row seats?

Cushnie et Ochs.

Lleana Benjamin — Managing Director of Solwind Energy Limited (Alternative Energy Supplies & Installation)

Is wearing… Shoes from Nine West

Handbag…. Louis Vuitton

Blouse… GAP

Her fave local designers are…

Courtney Washington

Kristina Broderick

Bridget Brown for Bridget Sandals

I support the local industry by…wearing and promoting (whenever possible) local designers.

On the international scene she favours… Ralph Lauren.

Her style she describes as…conservative.

And her take on just how stylish we are as a nation…

We are becoming more aware of fashion trends and taking risks. Jamaicans are, for the most part, conservative and seldom go outside the box.

And for which show at NYFW would she love to nab front-row seats?

Karl Lagerfeld, for Chanel.

Jodie Williams — owner of Building Blocks Pre-school and Reach Academy.

Is wearing… Michael Kors and Bridget sandals.

On the local scene she favours Bridget sandals.

On the international scene, Michael Kors.

She supports the local fashion scene by… buying Bridget sandals on a regular basis.

My style is… chic but functional.

How are we (as a nation) doing, ‘fashionably’?

We are moving forward quickly.

And for which NYFW show would she love to nab front-row seats?

Victoria Beckham.

Drew Brennan — Production Team, 1962 Productions

Is wearing shoes by Top Shop and shirt by H&M.

Her favourite local designers?

Lubica and Bridget Brown for Bridget Sandals.

On the international scene it’s Lanvin and Mara Hoffman.

I support the local design industry by…

Wearing Bridget sandals almost everyday. I also wear bespoke Lubica bikinis.

I’d describe my style as…

Classic with a twist.

And her response to just how stylish we are here on The Rock: Our style is becoming more about the individual and less about matching colours.

And for whose shows would she most love to nab front-row seats at NYFW?

Oscar de la Renta and Alexander Wang.

Bradlee-Ann Powell — Director of Administration, Delta Supply Co Ltd

Is wearing: dress by Zara, shoes by BCBG and a Marc Jacobs handbag.

Her favourite local designers are Kristina Broderick and Bridget Brown for Bridget Sandals.

On the international scene it’s BCBG.

She considers her style classic glam.

Jamaicans style-wise are… creative. We take popular styles from other places and put our own spin on it.

I support the local design industry by shopping at Kristina Broderick, Callaloo clothing and Bridget Brown for Bridget Sandals.

She’d love to nab front-row seats at Cushnie et Ochs. “It would be amazing to see the collection of a Jamaican who has become so successful in the world of fashion.”

Kibebi Johnston — Managing Director, Barcode Jamaica

Is wearing a dress by French Connection, shoes by Steve Madden and a Louis Vuitton handbag.

On the local scene her preferred designers are male designer Carlton Brown, Bridget Brown for Bridget sandals and Kristina Broderick for jewellery.

On the international scene… Tory Burch, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, and Yves Saint Laurent.

She describes her style as… chic, classic, glam –always sexy.

How she rates Jamaicans on style?

Evolving.

I support the local fashion industry by… wearing Bridget sandals, purchasing Carlton Brown suits and rocking Kristina Broderick’s jewellery.

I’d love to sit front-row NYFW at…

Roberto Cavalli, Yves Saint Laurent and Diane von Furstenberg.

Alissa Forrester — Director, SMJ Packaging Distributors LTD (Packaging materials and equipment)

Is wearing dress by BCBG, shoes by Lovely People, bracelets by John Hardy and Pandora, and bag Marc by Marc Jacobs.

I support the local industry by…

Buying Bridget Brown for Bridget sandals, dresses and tops from Lubica, and Kristina Broderick jewellery. They are, too, my preferred local designers.

On the international scene I like …

Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch and Michael Kors.

I describe my style as…classic with an occasional twist.

Our style in Jamaica is… gradually evolving… creatively mixing different styles, colours and textures.

I’d love to nab front-row seats at NYFW for Diane von Furstenberg and Tory Burch.

Kate Hendrickson — Director of Projects — Jamaica Pegasus, Courtleigh Hotel & Suites and Knutsford Court Hotel.

Is wearing… pants by ASOS, Reiss shoes and blazer.

On the local fashion scene… I love Bridget sandals — they are both comfortable and stylish.

On the international scene, it’s Yves Saint Laurent for shoes, Hermès for accessories, and Zara for basics.

I’d describe my style as…classic yet current.

Style in Jamaica has… really evolved. There was a time when you couldn’t even shop here. Now there are great stores like KERRY manwomanhome and Foot Candy that carry all the latest trends.

I’d love to nab front-row seats at NYFW for Diane von Furstenberg and Victoria Beckham.

Kristina Kerr — Market Me — Marketing, PR & Event Management Firm.

Is wearing… Diane von Furstenberg dress, Yves Saint Laurent shoes and Gucci handbag.

Her favourite local designers are…

Kristina Broderick and Bridget Brown for Bridget sandals.

On the international scene… Fendi and Diane von Furstenberg.

I would describe my style as… edgy glam.

And on Jamaican style… I think many Jamaicans embrace fashion, but we could do a lot more! Many are afraid of trends and of taking risks. But with a little information and guidance it becomes less daunting.

I’d love to nab front-row seats to the Louis Vuitton show.