Whats Trending for 2013? – Designs by Carlton Brown

Our focus this week is on fashion designer and Mission Catwalk T V show judge, Carlton Brown, who debuted his line at Saint International’s Style Week Men’s Collection show in 2002 and never looked back.

Brown, whose name is synonymous with sartorial elegance and who is without a doubt the Rock’s go-to tailor, has showcased his impeccably tailored pieces in London, Toronto, and at the Miami Beach International Fashion Week. Brown credits his remarkable strides to JAMPRO, his close friend Racquel Jenkins Moss-Solomon , and the Jamaica Observer. “My brand represents me,” he tells A W. “My line is clean and sophisticated with a well-tailored finish. I try to design for anybody who comes, but at the end of the day, even if it is styled for an individual, it still reflects me.”

Here’s what a few of his loyal clients have to say.

Name: Raymond Price

Occupation: Member of Parliament, North-East St Elizabeth

I’m wearing… a beige suit, black-and-white plaid shirt and orange striped tie. I love it because the fabric breathes easily, unlike the fabric of most other suits, and that is especially great for our tropical climate.

My love affair with the brand began… almost two years ago. I saw a spread in an edition of Panache magazine and instantly decided to give Brown a call.I support Carlton Brown because… his suits and all his pieces are very well tailored; they fit well, and are suitable for the occasions I attend. They are also a good investment in terms of quality and value for money. With some brands, you wear the suits and feel incarcerated in them, while with Carlton’s clothes, you don’t feel as though the suit is wearing you.

I own… quite a few pieces.

My favourite is… definitely the one I’m wearing now; it is trendy but still looks very professional. Name: Jomo Cato Occupation: Head of Marketing, Red Stripe

I’m wearing… I call this my ‘international man of action’ look (smile).

My love affair with the brand began… about three years ago after seeing a spread in the Jamaica Observer. I loved the look, and had a friend of mine make the connection.

I support Carlton Brown because… I believe in his work. It’s absolutely comparable to what you can get in any major city globally. Carlton Brown is immensely talented; he gives me unbelievable quality, plus he’s willing to come to my house and make an adjustment if necessary… all this at a good price. If I were to get this suit made in New York it would probably cost me US$4,000 — this is the kind of stuff you find in Harrod’s and Macy’s.

I own… about eight so far, but they’re not all suits. Although he is known for suits, he also does fantastic casual wear, and I love his slacks.

My favourite is… Well, the one I’m wearing is my current favourite. I wore it to the Heineken James Bond Skyfall premiere, and I love it because the fit is perfect. I got numerous compliments and I just love how I feel in it… it’s great.

Name: Kirk Kennedy

Occupation: President, Kencasa Construction

I’m wearing… a colour block outfit. Carlton is a very versatile designer (smile).

My love affair with the brand began… about four years ago when a mutual friend, Racquel Jenkins Moss-Solomon, recommended him to me. The funny story is, though, that I started promoting his brand long before I was wearing it. I always saw his work and thought he should be selling in major stores overseas.

I support Carlton Brown because… his brand definitely stands up to international scrutiny. He is also my fashion consultant. If I have an occasion, all I need is to tell him where I’m going and the rest is history

I own… whole heap (laughs). I’m just joking, but it really is a lot.

My favourite is… hmmm, it’s hard to say because once I go to Carlton I always leave with quite a few things, and I’m a discerning shopper, so I’m not taking it if I don’t love it. The thing is, I always do.

Name: Kamar Bardowell

Occupation: Pilot

I’m wearing… a ‘mawd’ shirt! It’s truly one-of-a-kind.

My love affair with the brand began… about three or four years ago when I met him through my mother, who is good friends with him. She always spoke about his tailoring and I could definitely see why, so the choice was clear.

I support Carlton Brown because… the brand has a young and trendy feel, and you always get good quality clothing.

I own… about six pieces so far.

My favourite is… all of them!

Name: Loxly Ricketts

Occupation: Attorney-at-law

I’m wearing… a navy blue three-piece suit with tabs and a wing-collar shirt.

My love affair with the brand began… in about 2007, when I saw one of his runway shows on TV and then in the newspaper. I liked the aesthetic and looked him up.

I support Carlton Brown because… of the consistent quality.

I own… hmmm, I’ve never counted them, but it’s a lot.

My favourite is… a waistcoat I wear to court with charcoal and black striped pants. Someone saw me wearing it and said I look like a fashion designer’s idea of a lawyer, someone you would see in a courtroom-themed photo shoot. I loved the description (laugh).

Name: Adley Duncan

Occupation: Attorney-at-law

I’m wearing… a European-chic party look in Jamaican colours. I had Carlton create it for a culture party I was attending, and I love how he stuck to the theme but also made it fashionable and timeless.

My love affair with the brand began… approximately five years ago when I saw a friend wearing one of his suits and asked him to contact Brown for me.

I support Carlton Brown because… the brand is consistently excellent and flawless.

I own… Oh my, once you go to him for a piece, or a suit, you just keep going back… So I’d say many.

My favourite is… a suit he did recently for a presentation I had. The craftsmanship is just superb. He captured the vision I described and amplified it nicely.

Name: Jermaine Brown

Occupation: Sponsorship and Events Manager, Wisynco

I’m wearing… a very trendy short-collar suit, and I like the colour blocking. I’m updating my style these days, and I try to buy three suits each year to add to my repertoire. I got this one in December.

My love affair with the brand began… about five years ago when my friends Chris Hardy and Kibwe McGann introduced me to it.

I support Carlton Brown because… in terms of suits, nothing really says style like Carlton Brown. I’ve recommended all my friends who usually buy their suits overseas to him and they’ve never looked back. Neither have I.

I own… about nine suits, and many other individual pieces.

My favourite is… the very first suit I bought. The fit was just the best, and it is still a great suit. It’s very special to me, and I also use it as the benchmark for my weight (smile).

Name: Duane Smith

Occupation: Businessman and Councillor, Chancery Hall Division

I’m wearing… a stylish, well-tailored suit that I can wear to a meeting and just as easily transition to a dinner party or wedding.

My love affair with the brand began… almost two years ago. I attended a wedding and was very impressed with the groomsmen’s suits, so I asked them about it. At the time my previous designer had just retired, so I was looking for someone who could give me the quality clothing that I am accustomed to wearing. I then realised that Carlton was a judge on the Mission Catwalk TV show, and after watching and hearing his comments, I made the decision that he was the man for the job.

I support Carlton Brown because… in my opinion, he’s really the best in the island, and comparable to any big-name designer globally. I was actually just looking around at everyone here and saying to myself how fortunate we are to have our own Hugo Boss living in Jamaica. The quality of his clothing is always great, too. In fact, he’s now making suits for my father, as he saw mine and loved them.

I own… too many of his suits! (Laugh).

My favourite is… To be honest, they’re all my favourites because they are just that good.

Name: Andre Reid

Occupation: Marketing & Events Manager, Devon House

I’m wearing… hmmm; this is my romantic dinner ensemble (laughs). I first wore it when I was taking my girlfriend out to dinner and she loved it!

My love affair with the brand began… Wow, about eight to 10 years ago when I was introduced to it through a friend. I wore my first Carlton Brown suit to the Stewart-McConnell wedding and it still fits very well today, and looks like new. I even wore it to a function in December and got numerous compliments.

I support Carlton Brown because… of the value. The mere fact that my first suit that I bought eight years ago looks as though I just got it made is a clear and tremendous indication of that. It really shows the strength of the brands we have locally.

I own … Ha! Quite a few of his suits and some other pieces.

My favourite is … definitely the suit I wore when Prince Harry visited Jamaica and Devon House. It’s my navy blue power suit.