Toppa Top 10: Ten Caribbean Designers You Should Know Right Now

Words by Kamara Williams

As Caribbean culture continues to make major waves in mainstream entertainment, the outside world, as well as those in the West Indies itself, is finally starting to pay close attention to Caribbean designers. This new generation of fashion talent is fiercely creative and unapologetically blazing forward towards establishing their labels for a long time to come.

With platforms such as Mission Catwalk (the Caribbean’s answer to Project Runway) and designer and mentor Anya Ayoung-Chee’s ExhibitA, a company and storefront mentoring and selling clothes by Caribbean designers and brands, we’re seeing foundations being set in place for young designers to thrive and succeed in the Caribbean.

As New York Fashion Week comes to a close, LargeUp put together a list of ten top Caribbean designers to follow as the madness settles. You might want to get your credit card out.

1. Cushnie Et Ochs (Jamaica/USA)

Cushnie Et Ochs, established in 2008 by Carly Cushnie, a designer of Jamaican parentage, and Michelle Ochs, evokes a sensual, effortless quality. Their designs, known for body-sculpting silhouettes and clean modern lines, aim to empower female sensuality and attitude. This striking aesthetic has made them finalists for the 2011 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Finalist and go-to designers for walking on the Red Carpet. Everyone from Rihanna to the First Lady Michelle Obama has been dressed in Cushnie Et Ochs’ designs.

2. Azede Jean-Pierre (Haiti/USA)

Azede Jean-Pierre is perfecting the marriage between art and commerce as she creates clothing women want to live in. The New York-based, Haitian designer has been highly praised by publications such as Elle, New York Magazine, and Man Repeller since her NYFW debut in 2013. Jean-Pierre’s designs, “fundamentally about cut, color, and proportion,” have garnered fans such as Solange Knowles, Lady Gaga, and Michelle Obama. It’s truly “a label for the intellectual, quirky, and sophisticated free-spirit.”

3. Soka (St. Vincent and the Grenadines)

Parsons School of Design alumna Karen De Freitas’ designs combine femininity with modernity. Her line, Soka, is known for its striking, striped black-and-white pieces, sharp lines, and geometric crop tops. Her designs have been featured on the cover of Seven Tribes magazine, and sported by Miss Lily’s events director and brand ambassador Gabija Mitchell in Vogue.

4. Fanm Djanm (Haiti/USA)

Fanm Djanm, founded in 2014, is a collection of headwraps and a popular lifestyle brand run by Paola Mathé, a colorful Haitian designer and blogger. Fanm Djanm, which means “strong woman” in Haitian Kreyol, is all about empowering ladies through their vibrant African printed headwraps, clothing, and accessories. Encouraging women to live boldly, Fanm Djanm has become a movement of its own, gaining the attention of publications such as Buzzfeed and The Cut.

5. Catherine Quin (Bermuda/U.K.)

Bermudian-British designer Catherine Quin’s clothing caters to the minimalist. With clean lines and sleek silhouettes, her designs say a lot without being over the top. The label transcends occasion, climate, and culture, and exudes timeless elegance. Vogue UK, WWD, Marie Claire, Elle, and i-D magazine have all jumped on the Catherine Quin wave. We suggest you do, too, before everyone else does.

6. SWIM Kass (St. Croix, USVI)

SWIM Kass, out of St. Croix, does sexy tastefully. The owner, who goes by the name Keiki Bikini, has a special understanding of the female body, as she effortlessly incorporates unique cutouts into her designs that are extremely flattering. The “Kass girl” is all about suits in bold tans and jewel tones, sheer bikini tops, and halter necklines. A SWIM Kass piece will definitely get you noticed. It’s no wonder the label was featured in the 2016 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

7. Rhion Romany (Trinidad & Tobago)

Rhion Romany has become one of Trinidad & Tobago’s most coveted designers over the past few years. His signature black-and-white swim and resort wear is sought by top socialites in the region, as he frequently dresses celebrated women in the inner circles of the Caribbean. Romany’s distinctive body-countering aesthetic has set him apart, landing him partnerships designing Trinidad Carnival Monday wear for TRIBE Carnival and costumes for Epic Mas Band at Hollywood Carnival.

8. Marie Collette (Trinidad & Tobago)

Marie Collette, a label that produces resort wear and “Monday Wear” designs for Trinidad & Tobago Carnival, has been a favorite in Trinidad and the wider Caribbean since its debut. Known for its bold prints, unusual silhouettes and cut-outs, it’s one of the most sought-after Monday Wear designs, as costumers clamor over the one-of-a-kind pieces each carnival season. Label head Keisha Collette Thomas continues to make waves in Trinidad, designing multiple costumes for 2017 Carnival for carnival band Yuma.

9. Jae Jolly (Jamaica)

Jae Jolly embodies the ease of the tropics. The swimwear and resort designs incorporate tons of print mixing, color blocking, and neon fabrics that perfectly compliment the Caribbean lifestyle. Jae Jolly is quickly becoming a go-to favorite among the Caribbean’s beach babes, and has been featured on Britain’s Next Top Model and on Travel Noire’s website and popular Instagram.

10. Kesia Estwick (Barbados)

Since being a contestant on Season 5 of Mission Catwalk, Bajan designer Kesia Estwick has shifted her design aesthetic to more of an African-inspired streetwear label. You can find ethnic one-of-a-kind hand-painted dashikis, crop tops, and accessories over at her Etsy store—and rave reviews from her shoppers. Way to kill the costumer appreciation game.