Style Jamaica To Showcase Local Fashion, Craft And Music

Twenty local fashion designers and a pop-up artisan village will be featured at this year’s staging of ‘Style Jamaica’ on December 16 and 17.

The two-day event, organised by the Tourism Linkages Network, will take place at Main Street Jamaica, formerly Shoppes at Rose Hall, in St. James.

It will also be live-streamed on YouTube and Facebook @tefjamaica at 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on both days.

“For the first time, we are going to provide a greater reach and exposure for our artisans and designers,” Director of the Tourism Linkages Network, Carolyn McDonald-Riley told JIS News.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett will officially open Main Street Jamaica – the country’s newest shopping attraction – on day one of Style Jamaica.

Main Street Jamaica has more than 25 stores, which will offer a wide range of experience, including shopping and food.

Mrs. McDonald-Riley said that ‘Style Jamaica’, now in its third year, is designed to leverage the authentic and unique shopping experiences that will add value to the country’s tourism product.

This year’s event will include live performances and cultural presentations as well as a fashion show. The pop-up artisan village will showcase Jamaica’s heritage in craft.

“The event is organised to provide the artisans with the exposure and for Jamaica and persons overseas to know that our fashion designers are ready for business. It’s an opportunity within Jamaica to expand our market base and connect to the tourism industry,” Mrs. McDonald-Riley said.

She indicated that ‘Style Jamaica’ is expected to attract locals and foreigners, including members of the diaspora, who are interested in Jamaican-made products, particularly fashion and artisanal products.

Shopping is one of the five areas of the Tourism Linkages Network initiative, officially launched in December 2016 to further diversify the country’s tourism offerings, create business opportunities and increase the use of local goods and services within the sector.

The others are Gastronomy, Sports and Entertainment, Health and Wellness, and the Knowledge Economy.