Back-to-school breathes life into dressmaking industry
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The re-opening of face-to-face school has breathed life into what seemed like stagnant industries. One such business venture is dressmaking.
Traditionally, dressmakers are one of the biggest benefactors of the re-opening of schools in the September period, but after being denied for two years by COVID-19, things seemingly are returning to some normality.
Patricia Cohen, a dressmaker that operates from home in the Corporate Area, recalls what life was like preCOVID-19.
“Before COVID-19 I used to get a lot of work for both wholesale and private entities, sewing for several schools such as Tacky High School and multiple schools from Ocho Rios and across Jamaica. For private entities I used to sew basic school, primary school and high school uniforms.”
Cohen, while affected by COVID-19, managed to secure a minimal amount of work during this unprecedented time.
“For two years, I didn’t do any work, just a few people who used to wear their tops for the online classes but they didn’t need a full uniform because they were always at home.”
Cohen implies that her competitors – specifically at West Street, downtown Kingston – were severely hampered by the announcement of online classes during COVID- 19 back in 2020.
The dressmaker recalls the spectacle that would happen downtown, “vendors from West Street would dress in uniforms and there would be an atmosphere like grand market,” said Cohen.
“They do it on a wider scale and they make and sell wholesale uniforms. Before COVID-19, normally when it was back-to-school, the place would be active as it were like grand market. “
Dressmakers are said to benefit now that face-to-face classes resume in September but Cohen remains cautious as the COVID-19 positivity rate can increase at any time.
“I feel great that face-to-face school will be back, but I do not want to take as much work. So far I have supplied to persons selling in the Morant Bay market and Ocho Rios market so it is good so far but compared to previous years, I’m not doing as much work,” Cohen told OBSERVER ONLINE.
Cohen anticipates that the back-to-school rush will be greater for dressmakers than ever come Saturday and Sunday.
“All of them are excited to come back at full force.”
Most Jamaican public schools are expected to re-open on September 5.
