10 things you didn't know about Ashley Martin

Often described as "young, beautiful and talented", Ashley Martin is
that and more. The award-winning in-demand fashion designer is better
known in some circles as an awesome performer with the ability to take a
well-known contemporary aria and make it her very own. She has earned
herself rave reviews as a top billing singer and a cabaret performer.

Martin
came to prominence as the lead female vocalist with the legendary band
Byron Lee and the Dragonnaires. But prior to her band days, she had
earned herself a fan base working as an entertainment coordinator at
Hedonism II in Negril. There, her guest performances were always a treat
for guests who enjoyed the young performer whose range ran the gamut of
the sultry siren to the purring vixen, or the spunky attitudinal
contemporary diva of song and dance!

She later emerged as one of
the country's leading fashion designers, copping an award for having
designed what is arguably the world's first glass dress, in 2011. This
speaks to her creativity and ability to eschew the ordinary in search of
finding, fulfilling and giving flight to her creative genius.

Today, Outlook Magazine shares 10 things you did not previously know about the fashion and music star, Ashley Martin.

1 Was christened Audrey Martin and has eight sisters and seven brothers. She also spent part of her life living in Europe.

2 Considers herself one of the funniest and happiest persons to be around. After she started off in entertainment at Sandals Montego Bay, she moved on to SuperClubs. She then moved on to public relations and promotions at Hedonism II before joining Byron Lee and the Dragonnaires. She left the group to pursue a solo career and has since shared the stage with many international and reggae superstars such as Gladys Knight, James Ingram, Patti LaBelle, John Legend, Nicky Minaj, the Marley brothers, the I-Threes, Sean Paul, Shaggy, Beres Hammond, and performed with the great Jimmy Cliff.

3 Has been featured in several advertisements on television and print and has also done several voice-over advertisements for radio. She has also guest-starred on the television series The BlackBurns. She was featured on E and The Travel Channel discussing Jamaica and hosted the MTV Canadian version of the hit show Survival..

4 Will only take a virgin mojito, sparkling water or a glass of Ocean Spray cranberry juice as she does not drink any form of alcohol or smoke.

5 Prefers a man who complements her in every way. He has to be confident, powerful, strong, successful and fair in judgement and action, who will sometimes tell her no. He has to dress well and speak multiple languages, and practise a healthy lifestyle and hygiene.

6 Regards her home as her sanctuary and spends a lot of time there. She enjoys her own company and uses this time to pamper herself.

7 She does not do the club or party scene, opting instead to spend quality time with friends at their homes or to entertain and put her cooking skills to work. Never took a cooking class, but considers herself a gourmet cook.

8 Lives in the now! She does not plan, as planning sometimes brings disappointments and that takes away her positive energy.

9 Reading relaxes her and is something she does every day. She also enjoys playing squash, pool, golf and volleyball.

10 With only three years as a fashion designer and owner of her own clothing line Attitude by Ashley Martin, she takes pride in her accomplishments. Her glass dress that won her the Avant Garde Designer of the Year in 2011 is now being assessed by The Guinness Book of World Records. Her fashion line has been featured in several music videos, fashion blogs across the world, and local and international magazines. Her line was also featured on America's Next Top Model Cycle 19, College Edition, shot in Jamaica. She was invited to Barbados last month by the producers of Britain's and Ireland's Next Top Model as the only designer for their finale. The show will be shown in 74 countries.