Styled with intention: The bold vision of Kwela Cole
THE world of fashion is constantly evolving, and 24-year-old stylist and creative director Kwela Cole is not merely curating daring looks — she is designing narratives. With a deep-rooted love for the environment, this fast-rising visionary uses every stitch, silhouette, and statement piece to reflect something more profound: identity, confidence, and culture. A passionate advocate for sustainable fashion, Cole champions ethical styling practices, consciously working with vintage pieces, local artisans, and environmentally responsible brands.
Born and raised in a modest neighbourhood in St Andrew, Cole did not have easy access to traditional fashion spaces. However, that never stopped her from expressing herself.
“My love for fashion began through watching shows like America’s Next Top Model, Hannah Montana, and The Devil Wears Prada,” she shared. “I thought to myself, ‘I can do anything I set my mind to, and who’s going to stop me?’ I believed in my ability to create, so I started to. While I was in summer school at St Andrew High School for Girls, I would recreate looks I saw online or on TV.”
Her journey was further inspired by prominent Jamaican creatives like Dexter Pottinger and Nico Kelly, who helped her realise that careers in fashion were not only possible but necessary.
“It didn’t occur to me before, because fashion isn’t considered a traditional career path in Jamaica. But I came to understand that there is a growing need for creative directors and stylists.”
Cole’s love for fashion soon expanded beyond clothing to include modelling and visual storytelling. She began to express herself through personal style and gradually started styling others. Her first shoot — a casual session with friends at the beach — sparked a deeper interest in creative direction and eventually led her to upcycling clothing.
“As I learned more about the different facets of fashion, I became aware of the environmental impact of improper garment disposal and the immense waste produced by the industry,” she explained. “Especially in today’s ‘fast fashion’ era, it’s become even more evident that we can turn to second-hand clothing as a way to reduce harm. I began thrifting, which naturally evolved into upcycling — creating entirely new outfits from pieces I already owned.”
Since making sustainability a core part of her fashion ethos, Cole has embraced thrifting as a personal practice but also as an artistic pursuit. She recommends local Jamaican thrift stores like Back on the Rack and Stush by the Pound, which focus exclusively on second-hand garments.
These sustainable choices have become key to Cole’s signature style — best described as a fusion of edgy and earthy, anchored by a strong feminine core. As her confidence has grown, so too has her fearlessness in styling.
“I’ve really been embracing a more regal style lately — something elevated but still very me,” she shared, reflecting on her recent foray into pageant fashion. “It feels like an amplified version of myself.”
Fuelled by that sense of personal growth and creativity, Cole joined the Red Stripe Flavour Squad — a move that encouraged her to push boundaries and explore new dimensions of self-expression.
“It was a big step forward for me in terms of personal creativity. It helped me understand my own style outside of projects or clients,” she said.
Her advice to aspiring creatives is both simple and powerful: ‘start now’. After facing her own challenges with limited opportunities and traditional industry hierarchies, Cole encourages young talent to move beyond the surface.
“Don’t wait for resources or recognition — just do the work. Style yourself, research, understand your craft, and be intentional. It’s not just about looking good, it’s about knowing why you’re doing it,” she said.
Having recently completed her journey in the pageant world, Cole is now more committed than ever to using such platforms as vehicles for deeper self-expression. With no shortage of bold ideas, she continues to rise as a storyteller, cultural curator, and changemaker. In an industry hungry for authenticity and evolution, Kwela Cole is creating space for both — one intentional look at a time.
Model Leonie wears an upcycled double-breasted cropped blazer and custom high-waisted underwear by Kwela The Brand..
Model Leonie is styled by Kwela Cole in pieces from her collection, Kwela The Brand Style Series.
Styled by Kwela Cole, model Morph wears pieces from his closet.
