SINCE she was a child in east Kingston, Donna-Maree Francis wanted to be creative with clothes. She was not familiar with the term designer back then.

Francis lives in Fort Lauderdale where she works as a registered nurse. But she also finds time to fulfil her lifetime ambition of being a designer.

She operates the Laco’Kdion label (inspired by the names of her children, Lacola, Kaela and Darrion) which produces casual and swimwear for a largely Jamaican clientele in the South Florida region.

After relocating to South Florida from New York City 15 years ago, Francis was still designing for female friends who wanted a different look when ‘stepping out on the town’.

She moved things up a notch in December 2012, by staging her first show, in Fort Lauderdale. She presented a similar event in August 2013 and plans to show her latest creations in June, again in Fort Lauderdale.

“I want to get into the sophisticated, upscale market like South Beach, Palm Beach and Los Olas. That’s where I would really like to reach,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

Francis also uses social media to expose her designs. Her creations can be viewed and purchased through Instagram (Laco’Kdion).

Francis grew up in Rollington Town, a working-class community in east Kingston. She migrated to the United States as a child, settling in the Caribbean-strong borough of Brooklyn, New York.

While she has worked for years in the medical industry, Francis never lost sight of ambitions to become a designer.

“You give me a scissors and I’ll give you an elegant evening dress. Women often tell me that wearing Laco’ Kdion makes them feel like queens and princesses even if it’s for one night,” she said.

— Howard Campbell