Just in time for the Emancipendence celebrations, Tuesday Style Fashion (TSF) caught up with Madifai Jamaica principal and designer Keenan Garnet Clarke.

If you’re looking for a fashion statement or a personalised gift this Independence and beyond, TSF
would like to point you in the direction of Clarke’s custom handmade wooden bags. They’re quite the steal, as each Rukumbine bag is designed with traditional symbols and motifs.

Starting the Rukumbine collection, Clarke wanted it to be distinctive and culturally significant, ensuring that important parts of the Jamaican culture — storytelling and proverbs — are still an ongoing conversation.

Before launching Madifai, Clarke served as an operations manager focusing on 3D modelling and product design but felt like his full potential was not being realised. No good thing goes to waste, because Clarke used his experience from a final-year project as a goldsmithing major at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, where he incorporated symbols of Jamaican proverbs into statement jewellery pieces. His vision was to create a standout product in the market along with expanding the concept of his final-year project with his other interest: wooden laser-cut bags.

When discussing his passion for designing, Clarke told TSF that “hearing customers describe some of my creations as works of art, with a preference to display them rather than use as intended, is incredibly rewarding”.

Madifai Jamaica

Instagram: @Madifai_ja

Email: madifai.ja@gmail.com

Telephone number: 876-787-9833