Roots Rockin’ Royal II Fashion Show Gives Back in Style
JAMPACT continues to impact Jamaica and the fashion world with its latest fashion show, Roots Rockin’ Royal II. The show boasted an all-star guest list, including supermodel Oraine Barret, Miss Jamaica USA 2009 Diane Johnson and Miss Jamaica Universe 2008 April Jackson. Fundraising in style, proceeds went towards Jamaican schools and Haitian relief.
Red: the color for brave soldiers. Green: the fertility of the land. Yellow: a land of vast mineral sources. These are the colors of Jamaica and the very vibrant hues that blazed across the stage at JAMPACT’s Roots Rockin’ Royal II Fashion Show. Despite last week’s relentless onslaught of snow, JAMPACT promised its attendees that it will “stay fly in any weather.”
JAMPACT – short for Jamaica Impact Inc. – is a certified nonprofit organization dedicated to rebuilding the schools and communities of Jamaica. JAMPACT has gathered a diverse collection of Jamaican professionals, students and peers to improve the socio-economic conditions of a Jamaica in need. With proceeds going toward Jamaican schools and Haiti relief efforts, the show attracted a myriad of international guests and celebrities.
The event hostess was the fiery radio diva, Nikki Z. The show also featured event ambassador and lead male supermodel for the Ralph Lauren Winter Olympics Campaign 2010, Oraine Barret.
“Although I have been through many obstacles, I am still living with love and presence of god, the Almighty,” the model says.
Other feature appearances included special guest models Miss Jamaica USA 2009 Diane Johnson and Miss Jamaica Universe 2008 April Jackson. Soulful Keishera and Elvis D kept the evening going with live music entertainment.
I Love Ja designers Nikeisha Boothe and Kimberly Lue Lim headed off the fashion show with their men’s collection. The designers began the night with colorful I Love Ja T-shirts paired with vests and blazers to complete the casual look.
Soon after, Nigel Ramsay hit the stage with a sleek, elegant, ready-to-wear women’s line. Ramsay captures the spirit of Jamaica juxtaposed with the fluidity of the female form by displaying a line of comfortable formal wear suited for a night out or a hot, summer day. Ramsay left the audience mesmerized with rich hues of gold and red mixed and shoulder complementing neck lines.
The evening wear spell was broken as I Love Ja came back strong with sassy, sexy women’s wear. Like the men’s line, Boothe and Lue Lim showed their flexibility. From a walk through town to a night at the club, the designers showed off their unique skirts and bottoms paired with casual tees.
Born as a Raggamuffin reflects the vibrant Jamaican culture with ruffles and midrift-bearing two-pieces. Designers Zebi Williams and Wendy Del Orbe showed that they are not afraid of experimenting with colors as they manage to pull off the “scrappy” look in a very dressy way. Later in the collection, the ladies helped the crowd discover their African side with ensembles adorned with netting and basic geometric prints bursting with color.
The brand, Riddim Driven, brings in the urban side with men’s hoodies, jeans and screen-printed tees.
Once again, African influences were brought the table with OSUN Designs. OSUN showed off modest full-cover ensembles in dark earth tones. These ready-to-wear pieces varied from hand-dyed ponchos donning the eye of Horus to evening gowns with spectacular rouching.
Fidgy Fab’s collection revolves around visually lightweight mesh and satin-like materials. The collection ranges from read-to-wear to avant-garde. Fab’s use of mesh creates an iridescent, shattered glass look unique to the whole show.
Not only does JAMPACT hold fashion shows. All year round, the organization attracts support from around the globe.
“It was a no brainer,” explains volunteer Nkmo Simons, who found JAMPACT through his college friend. “I wanted to find a way to give back. To have an organization to team up and do it with makes it so much better. It’s all about the give back nature.”
For more information about how to donate or volunteer with JAMPACT, visit http://jampact.org.
