Kingston Creative celebrated the unveiling of a new donor plaque on Water Lane, formally recognising Island Bespoke as the 70th First 100 Partner. The ceremony, which took place on Wednesday, April 9, marked a significant contribution to the organisation’s mission of fostering a vibrant creative ecosystem and revitalising downtown Kingston.

David Newell, founder of Island Bespoke, a visionary entrepreneur with deep roots in Jamaican heritage and extensive tailoring experience including a decade at Savile Row’s Gieves & Hawkes, spoke passionately about his commitment to supporting local creativity. “My heritage is rooted in Jamaica, and I believe in the power of art and design to transform communities. Therefore, supporting Kingston Creative’s mission to revitalise downtown Kingston into a thriving creative hub aligns with my personal commitment to preserving and promoting the culture that shaped me,” said Newell. “Too often, Jamaican talent is nurtured here but exploited elsewhere. I want to see the next generation of artists and designers thrive in a space that truly belongs to them, where their innovation drives opportunity and progress right here at home.”

Putting his money where his mouth is, Newell donated $1,000,000 in cash.

The event brought together representatives from Kingston Creative, Island Bespoke, Tribe 9 Studios and members of the media, to commemorate the partnership. The plaque proudly acknowledges Island Bespoke’s generous support, joining a distinguished group of individuals and organisations committed to empowering artists and driving cultural and economic growth in Jamaica. Kingston Creative has set an ambitious target of reaching 100 donors in 2025.

“David Newell and I met at the Jamaica Diaspora Conference hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, one year ago. He expressed his interest in investing in Jamaica and the local creative economy and has followed through in an inspirational way, recently opening a business right here at 107 Harbour Street,” said Dempster Chung. “We are so grateful for his philanthropy and encourage more members of the diaspora to get involved in the positive change happening at home. Our First 100 Partners help to provide resources, create opportunities, and build a thriving community for Kingston’s creatives.”

The First 100 Partners initiative is a crucial fund-raising effort for Kingston Creative, providing vital resources for its various programmes, including public art installations, capacity-building workshops, and the maintenance of creative spaces like the Kingston Creative Co-working Space and the Artwalk.

About Kingston Creative:

Kingston Creative is a non-profit organisation dedicated to fostering a vibrant and sustainable creative ecosystem in Kingston, Jamaica. Through various initiatives, including public art installations, capacity-building workshops, and the creation of creative spaces, Kingston Creative aims to empower artists, revitalise downtown Kingston, and contribute to the city’s cultural and economic development.

About Island Bespoke:

Founded by visionary entrepreneur David Newell, Island Bespoke is a bespoke uniform and tailoring business rooted in Jamaican heritage and drawing upon over two decades of Savile Row tailoring expertise. With a commitment to craftsmanship, heritage, and innovation, Island Bespoke delivers precision-crafted garments worldwide and has established a contemporary tailoring hub in downtown Kingston, contributing to the city’s creative revitalisation.