First Things First…

If there is one thing you can depend on Jawara Wauchope to do, it’s deliver Rock fab hairstyles. The Jamaican-blooded celebrity hairstylist styled Beyoncé’s tresses for the July 2022 issue of British Vogue. Wauchope shared photos of the music legend on his Instagram page with the caption: “I’m sooo honoured to be a part of this iconic moment.”

Jawara Wauchope fell in love with hairstyling after spending time at his aunt’s salon in Kingston, Jamaica After living in the lucrative world of New York City hair extensions, he decided to enter the business of fashion editorials and shows. Having assisted the best in the industry, he discovered that behind the magic curtain lay an industry lacking in both diversity and basic knowledge of taking care of black hair. He stepped in and has never looked back.

CREDITS

Photographer: Rafael Pavarotti

Styling: Edward Enninful and Marni Senofonte

Hairstylist: Jawara Wauchope

Make-up: Sir John

Nails: Miho Okawara

Set Design: Mary Howard

And…

The trailer for the Matilda reboot dropped earlier this week and fans of the iconic Roald Dahl book and 1996 film adaptation are beyond excited to see British-Jamaican actress Lashana Lynch (most recently seen in the James Bond flick No Time To Die) as Miss Honey.

Also…

Another one (DJ Khaled voice)!

Grammy-nominated artiste Grace “Spice” Hamilton celebrates another digital billboard, this time for subscription-based music streaming company Pandora. Spice is part of the company’s One Caribbean Campaign. The billboard sits atop the Marriott Marquis hotel, in Times Square, New York

Then…

The Kai slide sandal by Jamaica Sandal Company has made its way to Hollywood! The Kai was spotted in a recent episode of Bravo TV The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills on the perfectly pedicured feet of reality star Garcelle Beauvais. The local handmade leather footwear company is helmed by Danielle Cunningham and Summer Tie Shue and has been steadily gaining popularity in the online market since launching its first design in January 2013.

Next…

Since launching her brand Diotima last year, designer Rachel Scott has referenced dancehall and her Jamaican roots as inspiration for her line. For Resort 2023, these concepts shine through as Scott puts a sophisticated spin on see-through sequinned mesh dresses worn sans bra, etc.

A blazer made from Harris Tweed wool with crochet insets made by female artisans in Kingston is another standout of the collection. It forms part of Look 20 modelled by dancehall artiste Patra. Dancehall Queen Carlene also makes an appearance for the collection.

CREDITS

Photographer: Josh Kolbo

Models: Dancehall Queen Carlene, Patra, Sashae and Karla Kay

Stylist: Anatolli

Hairstylist: Braids By Tavia

Make-up artist: Teeah Anderson

Additionally…

Award-winning couturier Raxann Chin recently received her first television nomination for Best Costume Design at The Independent Series Awards held in Hollywood. The award, known as “The Indie”, honours excellence in scripted television series produced independently for the Internet.

Chin and her collaborator Christopher Lawrence were nominated for their work on the YouTube comedy series, Cady Did, featuring Tony Award-winner Cady Huffman. Although they did not win in their category, Cady Did emerged as the night’s big winner, walking away with five Indie awards.

There’s More…

Grammy Award-winning deejay and record producer DJ Khaled is back in album-mode! And as has become the norm, the deejay, with his family in tow, jetted into The Rock for some inspiration from ‘Holy Mountain’, his term of endearment for Jamaica’s luxurious oceanfront villa Rio Chico.

Rio Chico — a magnificent 14-acre estate perched on one of the most renowned seascapes on the north coast of Jamaica — has been the deejay’s go-to vacay spot for years. He even expressed interest in purchasing the Sandals-owned property in 2018.

Plus…

Guess who penned the Vogue Italia’s cover story Hollywood actress Zendaya? None other than Jamaican-born, Milan-based fashion and culture journalist and SO-alum Jordan Anderson.

CREDITS

Shot by: Elizaveta Porodina

Stylist: Law Roach

Story by: Jordan Anderson

Let’s Wrap With…

SAINT International supermodel Kai Newman is in the just-unveiled Fall/Winter 2022 global advertising campaign for the iconic Italian fashion house Prada’s latest womenswear collection.

The Jamaican beauty is among a cross-generational cast of eight women that includes Euphoria star Hunter Schafer and supermodels Kendall Jenner and Liya Kebede. All the models featured in the new campaign walked the Fall/Winter 2022 Prada runway show back in February which presented the fashion house’s creative director Miuccia Prada and Raf Simon’s latest aesthetic visions for feminine grace.

According to a campaign release from Prada, “each model was carefully selected for the campaign. The brand wanted models who had unique personalities, identities and lived experiences.”

Newman, naturally, was an excellent fit. The Allman Town-raised model was famously scouted by SAINT chief executive officer Deiwght Peters as a 16-year-old when she was en route to the dentist, causing the Midas-touch model-maker to hit the brakes of his car.

The new Prada campaign was lensed by David Sims, styled by Olivier Rizzo and creative directed by Ferdinando Verderi.