St Ann designer seeks to garner local support
Published:Saturday | October 12, 2013 | 12:00 AM
Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner Writer
RUNAWAY BAY, St Ann:
FOR YOUNG St Ann designer Leslie Ryman, business has been a struggle for the last three and a half years as she tries to market her Afrocentric clothing line that features appliqué, hand embroidery, and tie-and-dye designs.
Located in Runaway Bay, Earth Kloz and Tingz caters to Jamaicans and tourists alike, but both markets are nowhere near as supportive as Ryman would like.
However, she is determined to continue trying to make her business a success.
"Basically, I don't have the market," Ryman told Rural Xpress as she spoke of her challenges.
"Where I'm located at the moment, you don't have enough foot traffic. It's on the main and the tourists tend to travel on the tour buses. They don't walk a lot. You might find a few, but not a lot. And the people in the neighbourhood are not supportive of business in the community.
"What I need is more publicity so that people can recognise that I'm out there and would support my business," she added.
Despite the obstacles, Ryman said she remains positive about the future of her business and looks forward to better days.
"Yes, I am positive about the future. Right now, I'm looking forward to making an aggressive move into the marketplace. I hope to move to Ocho Rios and I recently set up a Facebook page. I'm new to it, but I'm trying that. I'm also seeking to supply some outlets. I'm looking in that direction where I can have my products in some of the stores out there."
Ryman is also one of dozens of craft producers who signed up recently for a Jamaica Business Development Corporation/Tourism Enhancement Fund two-year North Coast Craft Revitalisation Project.
The revitalisation project, involving St Ann, Trelawny, and St James, is aimed at addressing some of the problems facing craft producers. Issues include lack of competitiveness, sameness of products, quality, price, and delivery.
The Rastafarian designer gets her inspiration from colours and nature itself.
"I use textile, natural fibre, cotton, linen, and burlap (crocus). I do tie-and-dye, appliqué, hand embroidery, focusing on Afrocentric clothing. And I do stuff for the male, female, and children."
Apart from clothing, Ryman does bags and even chair coverings.