Fashion Designer and businesswoman Keneea Linton-George, is renowned for her poise and elegance. The ‘Mission Catwalk’ boss is an undeniable inspiration to young fashionistas islandwide.

Keneea wears many hats, varying from fashion designer, executive producer, and store owner. She however still found the time to sit down with teenAGE in her new boutique (Keneea Linton Boutique, 80 Lady Musgrave Rd) and answer a few questions about her journey to success and her passion for fashion.

TA:  What was it like growing up with a twin sister, your mirror image?TA: Does she share your passion for fashion?TA:  What influenced your early introduction to the Jamaican fashion industry?TA: Is the current market a viable one for young emerging designers?TA: What is/was your biggest challenge as a designer/business woman?TA: What has been the greatest highlight of your career?TA: What’s your personal style?TA: What’s your guilty pleasure?TA: What’s the must have item for any young fashionista?TA: Who do you believe is locally or internationally rocking the fashion industry?TA:  How do you feel about Beyonce winning the CFDA’s Style Icon of the year award?TA: Who is your style icon?TA: What’s the next big thing for Keneea Linton-George?TA: Finally, what advice do you have for any young person hoping to make fashion their career?

KLG:  It was just as fun as it is now; I always have a confidante, someone close to you who understands you.

KLG:  She is artistic as I am but more at fine arts and visual arts; she is in fact in academia.

KLG: Officially, in 2005 when I dressed the Ms. Jamaica Universe; after which I ended up doing a fashion show and Caribbean Fashion Week.

KLG:  I wouldn’t have invested money in it if I didn’t think it was viable, I think it is very viable. We just need persons to be a little bit more serious about the business of fashion and approach it like a business rather than a hobby. Because it is the creative industry you find that most persons might be passionate about it’ it’s something you wake up and just love doing, however one still needs to understand the business element of it.

KLG: What was and still is my biggest challenge is finding skilled labour; it’s very hard to find skilled seamstresses or cutters. Ever since the closure of the Garment Industry, those persons have gone into different areas and those who are still in it have very limited training.

KLG: It’s always on to the next, it is tough as a creative person there is never something you can look at and say that was my best. There are garments and collections that I am proud of, but the greatest moment is yet to come.

KLG: My personal style is very classic and elegant.

KLG: Definitely Chocolate, I eat chocolate almost every single day.

KLG:   Pumps. A pair of pumps, a little black dress and a nice well cut blazer that you can style up or style down.

KLG:  Will Smith’s kids are fantastic, I love them. They’re gorgeous and they have such an interesting sense of style. The idea of fashion that has no gender is taking on is quite interesting and they seem to be the poster kids for it.

KLG:  She is a fashion icon; people always try to emulate her. I have my personal fashion icon, everyone has theirs, and she deserves it.

KLG:  I have persons who I admire their essence, you could put anything on them and that essence would still come out; people like Angelina Jolie and Catherine Zeta- Jones. I’m not a Beyonce fanatic at all, a little bit too sexy and pop culture.

KLG:  I don’t know, I always have a lot of stuff planned but I don’t know which one is next, whatever it is I am going to work assiduously at it.

KLG:  Get all the technical training you can get so you know the business, learn about the industry and embrace it.