10 things you didn't know about Sophia MaxBrown

Sophia MaxBrown is essentially the face of the MaxBrown brand in
Jamaica, a brand essentially known as a retailer of international
fashion name brands. Celebrated for her sense of chic and cosmopolitan
flair, she was born in Jamaica but raised in Canada. However, after
completing her studies, she returned to Jamaica in the mid 1980s to make
her contribution to nation building.

In 1987, friends persuaded
her to enter the Miss Jamaica World Pageant, and even though she was one
of the favourites and a finalist, many thought she was unfairly treated
because of her unfamiliarity with Patois.

Today, she is still a
striking beauty, and still manages the MaxBrown clothiers, dressing the
rich and powerful, the fashionable, the movers and shakers and the
social elite, as well as the leading personalities of the entertainment
industry.

Today, Outlook shares 10 things we did not know about the stunning beauty, business-woman, philanthropist, and avid Kalooki player.

1. Danced for Motown Records as a teenager: At the time, Motown formed a dance group of four who would perform at various locations across Ontario promoting Motown music. During this period, they were treated like celebrities - limousines, paparazzi the works. She still questions her inclusion, as she does not consider herself a particularly good dancer.

2. Played basketball and was on the St Roberts High School team for three years. "Even at five feet four inches, I was never a benchwarmer. I actually played right forward, with the scars to show."

3. Was "Teen pick-of-the-week" in Toronto, being a stylish teenager and contributing to the community of Thornhill Ontario and shared the distinction along with her brother, Carlos, as models for Gladys Knight hair products, with a massive ad campaign across Canada. The retailer/distributor for the products was Simpsons, one of Canada's largest department stores at the time.

4. Had her own cosmetic and skin-care line under the brand name Sophima.

5. Cannot swim, but loves going to the beach, and does so every opportunity she gets.

6. Has no body piercing, not even her ears are pierced. This is for two reasons- she was baptised a Pentecostal, so her religion prevented her from doing this, and she is afraid of the needle and process involved.

7. Retailing and styling have been her passion since she was a teenager and started working in retail at the age of 18. She worked in the hospitality industry for four years, but is convinced she has found her niche in fashion and hopes to launch her own line of men's clothing in the very near future!

8. Has a passion for the elderly and supports charities that work with the elderly in a bid to make their later years both productive and enriching. She is also an avid supporter of charities favouring the welfare and well-being of the nation's children.

9. Is a deeply spiritual being and believes in being her brother's keeper.

10. Is a blood relative of Jamaica's founding fathers Norman Manley and Alexander Bustamante.