There was a time, not too long ago, when a Jamaican woman with rich brown skin, long limbs, and a presence you couldn’t ignore, decided to step into a world that didn’t leave space for women like her.

Her name? Althea Laing.

People called her La Laing — a name that still lingers in the corridors of fashion circles and spoken with admiration. She wasn’t just modelling; she was making a statement — about who gets to be seen, who gets to be celebrated, and who decides what beauty is.

She was a teacher before she hit the catwalk. She was a top-tier insurance agent before she graced any magazine. And then — twice — she landed on the cover of Essence.

And now, Laing has created something that speaks to every woman who wants to be seen. She has given us Icon Beauty by La Laing: A line of products — Brightening Serum, Anti-Aging Retinol Serum, Foam Cleanser, and lipsticks in shades that speak to every side of us.

“Her lips captivated every passerby in New York,” was a reference often made to my full lips,” Laing tells Tuesday Style Beauty (TSB). “I watched as persons began using Botox in the lips after the publication of my first cover in New York. My lipcolour line was a no-brainer after retirement as an educator… In 2024, the idea was planted in my soul and I began researching and having audience with a cosmetic manufacturer. The bold matte reds and plums are the signature colour of the brand; however, I have added other colours to accommodate the moods of the fashion-conscious woman,” Laing explained. The former model says she started small with direct sales and pop-up shops at Heather Laine. “This journey is not about me, but a dream which has come to fruition as a legacy for my granddaughters”. As to the response, Laing says, “It has been very encouraging and amazing.” She says plans for the future include the addition of lip liners and accessories like lip brushes, to complement existing products.

All products are tested and certified by the international agency Intertek and most recently French company Bureau Veritas and have met international standards. With ‘Creating beauty, one step at a time’ as its mantra, the line — which started with lipsticks — has grown tremendously since its August 2024 launch.

Icon Beauty by La Laing

Available at…

Royale Pharmacy

44C Rose St, Savanna-la-Mar

St Bess Pharmacy

1A Brigade Street, Black River

Icon Beauty by La Laing creator Althea Laing.