The Jamaica Observer continues its daily look back at people, events and works that made an impact during 2017.

NEARLY two months have passed since family and colleagues of fashion designer Dexter “3D” Pottinger gathered for a thanksgiving service to celebrate his life and vision.

Held at Struan Castle in St Andrew on October 22, attendees were guided under an avant-garde dress code and encouraged to wear cheerful colours, including red, his favourite. The programme included a short film eulogy, prayers, tributes, dance and musical performances. Guests came out in bright colours, but the events leading up to this grand “finale” were quite dark.

The body of the 34-year-old Pottinger was found in a decomposed state at his Yarico Place residence in St Andrew on August 31. Romario Brown, a 21-year-old make-up and tattoo artist, has since been charged with murdering the designer.

The Jamaica Observer learnt that Pottinger’s body (scarred with stab wounds) was discovered by friends who had gone to visit him. It was reported that neighbours heard him crying for help days earlier but no one called the police. His 2017 Honda CR-V vehicle was found miles away in Stony Hill, while his television and the alleged murder weapon were discovered in Brown’s Stony Hill home.

Pottinger wore many hats, including make-up artist, model, wardrobe and hairstylist and video director. In a 2015 interview with the Observer, he expressed his desire to pursue all aspects of his creative nature.

“I started in the industry as a model for Saint International, and I’ve always known that modelling is not a long-term career, so when I met Ty-Ron Mayes, who used to be my stylist in New York, he groomed me in terms of fashion, but I’m still learning,” he said at the time.

Pottinger worked as a stylist with several dancehall artistes like Tifa, Cecile, Lady Saw and D’Angel, as well as with actor Nick Cannon on the American’s King Of The Dancehall movie.

Several entertainers flocked social media to express their sadness over his passing including singer Alaine and beauty queens Yendi Phillips, Kaci Fennell and Davina Bennett.

“(He was) one of the first persons I shot with; I remember him doing my make-up and creating a masterpiece… Every time we meet it’s hugs and compliments and a reminder to keep pushing,” Bennett, second runner-up in Miss Universe 2017, said.

Deiwight Peters, founder of Saint International, told the Observer he first heard of Pottinger’s death on his way home.

“One of my former models called me and asked if I heard what had happened to Dexter. I just could not believe. I kept asking ‘what are you talking about?’ Then came a flood of calls. I know he should have been on holiday overseas, so I kept asking ‘are you sure?’ I made a call and it was confirmed… This is so sad… This is so sad,” he lamented.

From being a dancer with the Stella Maris Dance Ensemble to being discovered by Saint in the lobby of the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, Dexter Pottinger was undoubtedly one to dream big, soar and inspire, and that is red-carpet worthy.