Necessity is the mother of invention and Leila ‘Iela’ Williams Edwards knows that only too well. The woman, who had quite of a few of us making a stylish dash backstage to acquire one of her must-have leather statement-makers at the recently staged Saint International Clarendon Fashion Escape, got into the business “out of a need for self-employment”.

Indeed, her conversion to Rastafari allowed her to tap into her creative side, which she does using coconut, calabash, bamboo, cow hide, goat skin, leather and non-edible seeds found all over Jamaica to make one-of-a-kind pieces.

“I’ve been designing for over 15 years,” she shared with the All Woman Fashion team. “I started making bags to support my family. I remember my first handbag was sold just after leaving the hospital with my second daughter, Ahbehoh. A friend came over to visit, saw the bag and wouldn’t leave without it. She paid for it! I guess that was the trigger… when I decided to make a business out of my creativity.”

This she has done and has garnered support from both local and international celebs. Her client roster is pretty impressive — from Professor Verene Shepherd, Queen Ifrica, Emprezz Mullings-Golding, Tony Rebel, Cherine Anderson and Deiwght Peters to Snoop Dogg.

Where to get yours…

Iela bags can be found at at Rêve Jewellery & Accessories, Devon House, and at Eden Gardens Wellness Resort & Spa on Lady Musgrave Road.