National Colours With White: The Fashion Theme For Independence

Jamaicans are being encouraged to incorporate the country’s National Colours – Black, Green, and Gold, with a hint of white, in their attire for this year’s Independence celebrations.

This appeal comes from the Principal Director for Culture in the Ministry of Youth and Culture, Dahlia Harris, who indicates that the combination is this year’s chosen fashion theme.

She made the disclosure during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank, at the agency’s head office in Kingston.

Speaking on the celebrations’ theme: ‘This is Jamaica…My Jamaica’, Ms. Harris urged persons to wear the colours at all parish and national events, during the period.

“We want people to engage with the colours across all activities. So you can wear your national colours with a ‘tups a white’ to work or going to cocktails or to all the events we are having,” she added.

She explained that the ‘tups a white’ has been included “to symbolize Government’s commitment to the care of children and preservation and protection of their innocence.”

In order to promote this engagement, Ms. Harris informed that a digital catalogue has been compiled by a team of local designers. She said persons can view the catalogue on the festival website, www.jamaicafestival.info .

“You will see some of the designs that our designers have actually gone out and made so that people can engage with them,” she said, noting that these include an entire entire swim suit collection which also reflects the theme.

Noting the loyalty displayed by some Jamaicans for several countries during the recent FIFA World Cup Football tournament in Brazil, Ms. Harris said she is desirous of seeing similar sentiments being expressed for Jamaica’s colours.

“That is what I want to see from Jamaicans during Independence, celebrating us and who we are. I love football and I love the World Cup; but I love Jamaica a little bit more and that is what I want us to be saying this Independence period,” she pointed out.