Ahead of B3 Parenting Magazine‘s Island Child Style children’s fashion showcase, slated for Saturday, November 24, All Woman: Fashion (AWF) goes into the design studios of six of the 15 designers on show to get the scoop: bio, fabric swatches, and all.

Label: ASD

By Ayanna Dixon

Representation Matters

All Woman Fashion (AWF): What excites you about Island Child Style?

Ayanna Dixon (ASD): I love that the Island Child Style show allows children to step out of their comfort zone while building their self-esteem and confidence through training and the final runway show. I think it’s a great opportunity for the younger generation of fashion enthusiasts!

(AWF): How long have you been designing for the next generation?

(ASD): This will be my first collection and I’m looking forward to it.

(AWF): How would you describe your collection?

(ASD): The collection will be a mini version of ASD’s current illustrated clothing and the illustrated faces will be of children.

(AWF): What makes your collection appealing to the next generation?

(ASD): ASD is fun and whimsical. I think the children will be able to identify with that as well as seeing illustrations of themselves/their peers – representation matters.

Contact ASD at www.byasd.net or on Instagram @by.asd

Creating A Sense of Appreciation

Label: COTTON CANDY

By Jazeene Henney

(AWF): What excites you about Island Child Style?

Jazeene Henney (JH): The opportunity to showcase my kids’ apparel and soft accessories directly to an audience that is focused on kids, fashion and the sensibilities of our region’s culture and design model is exciting. This forum is the perfect launch pad for kids’ apparel designers who want to tap into the Caribbean/Caricom market. The fact that the models are kids is perfect because it gives the audience a true reflection of how the collection performs.

(AWF): How long have you been designing for the next generation?

(JH): My designs for Cotton Candy are very recent. Use of textiles in varying formats and in the interior design industry for more than 10 years has made the transition easier. And being a new mom in my forties has created a catalyst for the appreciation of well-designed and simply made kids’ clothing for our island lifestyle. A genuine need for clothing that was lightweight natural cotton blends, fun, tropical and easily mixed and matched was a key driving force. The desire to see my ‘island child’ looking like a well-dressed child of the tropics was essential in my journey. And realising how our parenting tradition has departed from some of our fundamental “baby textiles” made me start the exploration.

(AWF): How would you describe your collection?

(JH): The first presentation of The Cotton Candy Collection will be a bold juxtaposition of delicate yet vibrant. A fusion of organic fabrics and straightforward lines that are a reflection of our Caribbean island life, filled with colour, prints, and always an unexpected twist on fabric mixes of cottons, linen, muslin and voile. The collection will set aside a space for the “organic neutrals” with a peek at white cottons and oatmeal linens. Its purpose is to create a sense of style for our next generation through their embracing of the home-grown fashion that takes inspiration from our Region’s Influences.

(AWF): What makes your collection appealing to the next generation?

(JH): The Cotton Candy Collection will appeal to the next generation because its pieces are easy to blend, easy to wear and give the kids a connection to island life without creating any compelling commitment to trends or symbolisms. It will easily create a sense of appreciation for island life and how we dress our children and how they should grow up to develop a sense of style that is influenced by their region.

Cotton Candy Kidswear & Soft Accessories – cottoncandykids@gmail.com

1(876) 856-2204

Kingston

Label: FLOWERCHILD1999

By Kaysian Bourke

(AWF): What excites you about Island Child Style?

Kaysian Bourke (KB): The fact that kids’ fashion is so limited in Jamaica and there is such a huge market for it here. I am happy that designers doing kids’ fashion have this platform!

(AWF): How long have you been designing for the next generation?

(KB): Since having my daughter in 2013.

(AWF): How would you describe your collection?

(KB): My collection I would describe as comfortable island style with some edge, using fabrics not typically used for kids’ clothing, but still super-comfortable.

(AWF): What makes your collection appealing to the next generation?

(KB): It is fun! And with the Internet and social media, the kids are now watching Disney Kids and other such shows… I want them to feel like little stars!

Contact Kaysian Bourke on Instagram @flowerchild1999

Label: GABI GIRL JAMAICA

By Romi Toyloy

Kingston-based designer Romi Toyloy loves family, being creative, and Jamaica. These, and the realisation that her seemingly well-rounded niece, Gabi, felt insecure about her physical appearance at only eight years old encouraged Toyloy to create Gabi Girl Jamaica in 2013. Gabi Girl Jamaica is a manufacturer with a mission: To create products that complement island living and a positive self-image in young girls. Gabi Girl Jamaica currently produces Jamaican-made apparel and accessories for girls ages eight-to-18 years old. Bath, body and room décor product lines are being developed for the near future.

(AWF): What excites you about Island Child Style?

Romi Toyloy (RT): Island Child Style is a quality event and an ideal forum for next-generation designers like myself to grow and be seen.

(AWF): How long have you been designing for the next generation?

(RT): I took my first steps as a designer in 2013, but it was the 2016 Island Child Style show that really sealed the deal. It pushed me to dig deep and really see what I was capable of.

(AWF): How would you describe your collection?

(RT): My collection is island girl-friendly, pro-Jamaica, stylish and fun.

(AWF): What makes your collection appealing to the next generation?

(RT): I think the vibrancy and playfulness of my collection appeals to next gen.

Find Gabi Girl JA at:

19 Ardenne Rd,

Kingston 10

Tel: 1(876)-577-3704

gabigirljamaica.com

Label: MARK ANTHONY DESIGNS

By Mark Anthony

(AWF): What excites you about Island Child Style?

Mark Anthony (MA): Just to envision a father and son strutting their Mark Anthony Designs on the runway brings loads of excitement.

(AWF): How long have you been designing for the next generation?

(MA): It’s a recent development.

(AWF): How would you describe your collection?

(MA): Fun, funky and flattering.

(AWF): What makes your collection appealing to the next generation?

(MA): The style, cut, fit, finish and the exclusivity of brand.

Contact Mark Anthony Designs at

11 Fairway Ave (corner of BMW Showroom)

e-mail: markanthonycollections@gmail.com

Office line: 1(876) 946-1460

WhatsApp: 1(876) 283-7758

Label: ZAID

By Zaid Smith

Zaid Smith’s fashion evolved out of his passion for art and modelling. “My artwork was the fundamental thing that led me into the fashion industry. Inspired by nature and a fascination with colours and shades, my pencil and paint brush became the main tools to express and push forward my artistic skills.

Smith advanced his skills by learning to sew, and came up with designs which sparked interest. “I visualised the fabric as a canvas, the sewing machine as a paint brush and the thread as the paint which brought my visuals together as wearable art,” he informed AWF. That was the turning point in his fashion career, leading from just being an artist to now a mainstream fashion designer.

His designs are shown on major fashion events such as Caribbean Model Search, Caribbean Fashion Week, and have represented Jamaica’s 50th anniversary at London Fashion Week and Island Child Style 2016.

(AWF): What excites you about Island Child Style?

Zaid Smith (ZS): Island Child Style fills my heart with excitement just to see the next generation walk the runway at such a tender age, and to know that an avenue like this didn’t exist for the younger me as a model, this give me hope for the future.

(AWF): How long have you been designing for the next generation?

(ZS): Three beautiful years.

(AWF): How would you describe your collection?

(ZS): I think of my fashion as masterpiece pantings on legs to express your mood and emotion for the day.

(AWF): What makes your collection appealing to the next generation?

(ZS): My clothes give children the freedom to feel themselves; boys want to be superman and girls want to be beautiful.

You can find ZAID at:

Pulse Complex

38a Trafalgar Road

Kingston 10

Contact: 1(876) 788-2000

e-mail: zaidsmithja@yahoo.com & z194fashan@hotmail.com