Jamaican-born designer Jessica Ogden took a break from the fast-paced world of European fashion recently to chill on The Rock.

The celebrated clothier, who copped Designer of the Year at the inaugural Style Observer Award in 2007 and who has graced the Caribbean Fashion Week (CFW) runway, is easily one of the Caribbean’s most recognised names — perhaps second to grande couturier Oscar de la Renta who hails from the Dominican Republic — on the international fashion scene.

Not a surprising feat since Ogden has collaborated with noted French line APC — to create the Madras and JO Custom collections (clothes and patchwork quilts) — Bon Ton and F-Troupe. Ogden found synergy with the latter in creating an eclectic line of sandals, ballet flats and spectator shoes. The APC-Ogden connection happened some years ago after a trip to India with Jean and Judith Touitou. From there, the designer wanted to work with Indian cloth, Madras.

“The initial idea was a wardrobe that you need to get from your room to the beach,” Ogden says during an interview with Richard Mortimer. Naturally, the idea has since evolved to include a fuller collection that reflects a fall/winter season though still managing to keep its ease, an Ogden hallmark.

Of note, too, is her association with Fred Perry, combining the sensibilities of Perry’s throwback appeal with her own interpretation of modern style.

Ogden’s work is as interesting as it is intricate, possessing an almost whimsical feeling with oodles of bohemian-chic. Her designs are playful, girly even, and are often inspired by the antique, a simpler time.

She’s credited as the “pioneer of salvage fashion”, with a strong respect for craft. Her garments typically display elements of layering, hand printing and stitching to create modern forms.

The “pioneer of salvage fashion” is definitely something to think about and seems to take on special significance in an age when reinvention is the must-have survival skill.

Indeed, it seems Ogden has always understood reinvention. The designer, who grew up in Kingston in the 1970s, tells of her “mother’s magical sewing room” and the group of people with whom she would interact and who still continue to influence her aesthetic.

It’s this kind of artsy-hands-on sensibility that truly makes Jessica Ogden’s pieces special.

“It’s more of an artistic world that influences me,” Ogden shares. It certainly is. Happy belated birthday wishes Jessica from the SO team. Trust you enjoyed your very first Calabash.

Jessica Hangs 10!

The fabulous designer Jessica Ogden jetted in for an irie vacay, during which she shared the 10 things she’s currently juggling for our SO Fashion Issue #1.

1. New Madras line in shop and online now.

A collaboration line with French label APC.

2. Cat mania new installation in childrens shop BONTON with Lee Benjamin

3. One-off and vintage JO at Jeanette’s- Londons new fashion pop up boutique

4. Patchwork quilts with APC soon off the production line, available from June

5. F-troupe collaboration line shoes

6. People Tree summer collection- an on-line organic fabrics and ethical fashion company

7. ASOS- online fashion collection coming soon.

8. Calabash Literary Festival weekend- my first

9. Summer wine by the Canal St. Martinl in Paris at Le Verre Vole

10. August in France- camping in Beauduc.. like Hellshire in France