First…

SO2 joins the rest of the fashion world in expressing our sorrow at the passing of legendary Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani, at the age of 91 in Milan, Italy. His company, the Armani Group, announced his death on Thursday, September 4, saying he had been working “until his final days”. Revered as ‘Il Signor Armani’, he will be remembered as one of the greatest single Italian designers and the figure who spearheaded the remarkable renaissance of Italian fashion in the post-war era.

And…

A few of our faves were seen rocking designs from Sammy B Designs — the ready-to-wear brand helmed by Rock-blooded fashion designer Samantha Black — at the 2025 Caribbean Music Awards, held on Thursday, August 28, at the iconic Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, New York.

ICYMI…

Rachel Scott, the Jamaican-born CFDA Award-winning designer behind ready-to-wear label Diotima, will take over from Proenza Schouler founders Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, as creative director.

Scott took the reins on September 2, with her first collection for the house set to be shown in February 2026. She will continue to run Diotima while shaping Proenza’s next chapter.

Plus…

British-Jamaican designers Martine Rose, Grace Wales Bonner, and Nicholas Daley are The Fashion Awards 2025 nominees.

Martine Rose, a leading name in London’s menswear, has been shortlisted for the top honour — Designer of the Year — which will see her go head-to-head with industry giants Miuccia Prada, Rick Owens, and Glenn Martens.

Grace Wales Bonner and Nicholas Daley meanwhile will join Craig Green, Kiko Kostadinov, and Stefan Cooke in the British Menswear Designer of the Year category.

The Fashion Awards 2025 presented by Pandora will take place on Monday, December 1, 2025, returning to the Royal Albert Hall. The event not only unites the global fashion community in London but also serves as the main fund-raiser for the BFC Foundation, which supports the future growth and success of the British fashion industry through its focus on education, grant-giving, and business mentoring.

Sources: https://fashionawards.com & https://caribbeanlookbook.com/

Model Sage Olivia in Sammy B Designs S|S Collection Racing Down Lovers Lane at NYFW, September 2023 (Photo: Chris Fox-Kelly)

(Photo: IG/@giorgioarmani)

The Armani Group made an Instagram post, officially announcing the death of iconic fashion designer Giorgio Armani, on Thursday, September 4. (Courtesy of IG/@giorgioarmani)

Singer Naomi Cowan was styled by Ivy Coco Maurice for her appearance, at the Caribbean Music Awards, in a sequinned Sammy B Designs gown from the Racing Down Lovers Lane collection.(Photo Courtesy of IG/@j.kobena via Naomi Cowan)

Rocking Sammy B Designs at the Caribbean Music Awards were singers Naomi Cowan (left) and Lila Iké (Photo: IG/@j.kobena via Naomi Cowan)

Reggae singer and songwriter Lila Iké in a number from the Sammy B Designs S|S Racing Down Lovers Lane collection. (Photo: Sandena James)

Jamaican-born fashion designer Rachel Scott Is the new creative director of Proenza Schouler.Photographed by Brianna Capozzi via/@harpersbazaarus

(Photo: https://fashionawards.com/)

Jamaica Observer Senior Associate Editor — Lifestyle & Social Content Novia McDonald-Whyte sure did snag the exclusive with Italian designer Giorgio Armani moments after his Milan Giorgio Armani blue show in 2010. Also photographed was fashion designer Keneea Linton-George. The image appeared on Page 2 Thursday, September 30, 2010. 

(Photo: Sandena James)