Father’s Day has just passed, and like previous occasions, urban-wear designer Jenelle Thompson reflected on her late dad, Delroy “Bugs” Thompson.

A businessman in Kingston, he was gunned down by unknown assailants on February 27, 2014.

“I was my dad little princess. He idolised me, but he cared for his six children. Always trying to open another business so that he had enough money to send us to school as education was very important to him,” she said.

With the spate of murders, Thompson is appealing for all to respect lives.

“We need our fathers, especially at this time when times are very hard and they are the ones to bring in the bread and butter. Just think of our children who have lost their fathers through ongoing warfare. The emptiness which comes, especially if no one ever cares for you like dad,“ she said.

“Since my dad’s death, I have had multiple father figures who remind me of my father. They continually give me advice, even though they cannot fill my emptiness. And, for me, each passing day I sit back and sing Luther Vandross’s song which says: ‘If only I could dance with my father again.’

The self-taught designer, who is principal of the brand A’Legend, holds a degree in business from the University of Phoenix.

Her first piece of saleable item was a T-shirt bought by deejay/producer Delly Ranx in September 2018. Since then, more than a dozen Jamaican entertainers have been on her client list. They include Macka Diamond, Vershon, Xyclone, and Ding Dong of Ravers Clavers dancing group.

She is hoping to tap into the African market as well as spread her wings into other US states.