First...

Jamaican-blooded designer Brandon Blackwood's new swimwear line has us ready to book a trip to the beach, stat!

The 'viral' designer — who got his start in bags — dropped BB Swim on Friday, May 12. We all know and love the brand, so this expansion is just icing on the cake.

This is the second major category launch for Blackwood in recent months; in March, he branched out with his first line of shoes. Blackwood's first swim line includes eight styles — five mix-and-match bikini pieces and three takes on the maillot.

For the launch campaign, Blackwood continued his unconventional marketing techniques, commissioning world-acclaimed artistic swimmer Zoe Poulis, to record videos of herself performing while wearing the new swimline. For still imagery, Blackwood reached out to Bahamian underwater photographer André Musgrove who shot marine biologist Alannah Vellacott in the Bahamas. Other phenomenal women who were part of the campaign included celebrity personal trainer Brittne Jackson and American arts and humanities professor and model MaryAnn Elizabeth, shot by photographer Conor Cunningham.

CREDITS

Photos: André Musgrove and Conor Cunningham

Production: Boom Productions Inc

Stylist: Roberto Johnson

Hairstylist: Akihisa Yamaguchi

Make-up artist: Ayami Nishimura

Nails: Sonya Belakhlef

Plus...

In more #brandonblackwoodnews

Italian-American actress and model Julia Fox, popularly known for her unique make-up trends and fashion style, stepped out with the Cortni Bag in Black Smooth Leather and Green Magnolian Wool. Fox rocked the bag with an oversized blazer and tank top ensemble.

Then...

Puerto Rican-Jamaican luxury jewellery brand Jam + Rico has landed on the radar of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago (MCA)!

The brand, fronted by Jamaican-blooded designer Lisette Ffolkes-Scott, was part of a Caribbean-focused exhibit called Forecast Forum. The exhibit celebrated Art in the Caribbean Diaspora, and Jam + Rico was selected as the main jeweller.

On her Instagram page, Ffolkes-Scott shared, "It's been great to meet new customers from this opportunity and we were introduced to more museums because of it. Our cowrie bangles and earrings are also now at the Boston Museum of Art. Growing up I loved shopping the museum shops for unique and creative work and now our brand is sold in two art museums."

Jam + Rico has been featured in Vogue, Forbes, and Elle and has captured the attention of Emmy Award-winning American actress Jada Pinkett Smith and her mom Adrienne "Gammy" Banfield-Norris.

And...

Miss World 2019 Toni-Ann Singh wears Tuesday Style Fashion (TSF) featured brand, By The Cabana, for her performance with recording artiste Popcaan at the O2 Academy in Bristol.

By The Cabana, a local resortwear brand, is helmed by fashion designer Tyana Harriott.

There's More...

Jamaican-American professional wrestling champion Jade Cargill turned heads at the Strength Of A woman Fest in a stellar number from luxury womenswear brand, Zimmermann.

The event, Saturday last, conceptualised to empower, educate, and elevate women by American singer, songwriter and actress Mary J Blige in collaboration with Pepsi, attracted a plethora of celebrities including Busta Rhymes, Lauren Hill, Ciara, Summer Walker, Coco Jones, Saucy Santana, and more.

Cargill, who was a panellist at the event, shared on her IG, "Thank you Strength Of A Woman Fest and Pepsi for the honour. I am thankful to be in a room with such strong, brilliant and successful women."