Multi-disciplinary artist Jawara Alleyne can add another notch of ‘trailblazing’ to his belt.
The founder and CEO of his eponymous, Cayman-borne label, is excited that Bajan business mogul Rihanna is not just a client, but an avid supporter of the brand.
Rihanna recently made headlines when she appeared on the cover of the Spring 2024 issue of Interview magazine.
In conversation with her former stylist and the current editor-in-chief of the publication, Mel Ottenberg, she shared several tidbits, including declaring that Jawara Alleyne is her ‘new favourite designer’.
Rihanna on the cover of Interview Magazine Spring 2024 issue (R), and a screenshot of the transcript of Rihanna and Mel Otternberg’s conversation in the magazine.
Indeed, she’s been spotted on multiple occasions in varying options from the designers’ Spring/Summer 2024 collection, Beach Business.
In addition to the ‘shoutout’, Rihanna expressed her admiration for Alleyne’s work, underscoring the significance of this acknowledgement.
Jawara Alleyne, a multi-disciplinary artist, was born in Jamaica, raised and educated in the Cayman Islands, and later moved to London.
His journey as a fashion designer began at the age of sixteen when his talent was discovered by the late Donna Reid, former programmes manager at the Cayman National Cultural Foundation.
To have her [Rihanna] not only buy into the work I create but also label me as her current favourite designer feels like a full circle moment where the vision finally becomes clear.
Since then, Alleyne has achieved numerous accolades in the fashion industry, resulting in successful stand-alone shows at London Fashion Week for his collections ‘Beach Business’ and ‘Ëye of the Storm’, both drawing inspiration from Caymanian culture.
Alleyne’s designs capture the creativity and rebellious spirit of island youth, drawing inspiration from Caribbean street culture.
His work has garnered attention from global icons like Rihanna, Beyoncé, Bella Hadid, and FKA Twigs, while being featured in prestigious publications such as Vogue, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, Culted, Hypebeast and Dazed, where Jawara first collaborated with Rihanna on the inimitable ‘blunt dress’.
A screenshot of the transcript of Rihanna and Mel Otternberg’s conversation in the Spring 2024 issue of Interview magazine and multi-disciplinary artist Jawara Alleyne.
Since then, Rihanna has demonstrated spurts of support to the John Gray High School alum, posting social media photos of her various outfits from Jawara’s Spring Summer 2024 Collection ‘Beach Business’, which debuted at London Fashion Week in 2023, with the backing support of the Cayman Islands Government, Ministry of Tourism & Ports.
The link between Rihanna’s endorsement and Alleyne’s Caymanian roots reinforces the importance of representation and diversity in the fashion industry.
Commenting on this career-altering nod, Alleyne expressed feelings of success.
Coming from the Caribbean, Rihanna is someone that I’ve always looked up to as a hallmark of success. I always appreciated seeing someone who comes from a small island like myself, break boundaries and achieve their version of success. To have her not only buy into the work I create but also label me as her current favourite designer feels like a full circle moment where the vision finally becomes clear. It proves that charting my own path was the right thing to do. I’ve worked so hard and dedicated so much of the last few years establishing a creative direction and a point of view that would speak to an idea of Caribbean identity that I feel doesn’t already exist, and to have her appreciate that vision to me is success.
As Alleyne continues to make strides in the fashion world, his journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring designers in the region.
His ability to blend Caribbean influences with high fashion has earned him recognition from industry giants and cultural icons alike, solidifying his place as a trailblazer in the fashion landscape.
