Summer Fashion Soiree

Garfene Grandison, Assistant Lifestyle Editor

Last Saturday night, (June 21) Jamaicans living in New York congregated at the residence of Dalbert Daley in Jamaica Estates, Queens, for a summer soirée where the Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO) charity organisation fêted about 150 persons with an evening of fun, fashion, and charity.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the organisation decided to up the ante with a fashion show featuring some of the Rock's most sought-after designers such as Courtney Washington, Anarcy by Andre Shirley, Kahnami Creations, and New York-based Jamaican designer Glenroy March from House of D'Marsh. Also a part of the designer showcase was the African-inspired collection by Moshood.

The collections were as eclectic as they were colourful. Seeing that Saturday was the official first day of summer, the collections were quite fitting and pleasing to the eyes of the New York-based citizens. They 'oohed' and 'aahed' as the collections made their way down the runway, with bouts of applause punctuating the night air every so often, to show appreciation for many of the designs.

• Kahnami Creations

Designed by Morvia Reid-Williams, the collection was launched in 2003, catering to a savvy and sophisticated clientele. Her designs have been a part of fashion runways, both in Jamaica and NYC. Her goal for her collection is to create designs that have a universal appeal to women who are not afraid to express themselves through fashion. Her resortwear collection, which was showcased, represents luxury, elegance and glamour.

• D'Marsh

Starting off as an assistant to top Caribbean design
house Uzuri International, Glenroy March has since charted his own
course with his own brand under the House of D'Marsh banner. Since 2003,
the House of D'Marsh has crystallised his creative impulses into a
synergistic blend of structure and design which manifested into his
couture and ready-to-wear collections. March showcased his 2014
resortwear collection for men and women from the Rouge collection in the
couture brand.

• Courtney
  Washington

This Jamaica-born fashion designer,
Courtney Washington, started to design clothes for full-figured women
who were frustrated with the inferior quality and lack of style that
were available, and this little venture blossomed into multiple female
collections that not only fit, but complement a woman's
curves.

• Moshood

Infused
with African flavor, Moshood's collection was born out of Lagos,
Nigeria, more than 20 years ago. The brand has become synonymous with
style that personifies the spirit of African pride. His timeless pieces
bring together the traditional beauty of African tailoring with a taste
of western flavour. His fluid and elegant designs have been embraced
from Harlem to Soweto, Lagos to Bahía, London to Tokyo, and New York to
Kingston.

Photos by Gladstone Taylor/Photographer