Jamaican designer Sandra Kennedy has broken into the Japanese market. Kennedy, whose West Indian Sea Island cotton (WISIC), resort line was recently shown in Brussels as part of the Jamaica Fashion Collections presented there, has been asked by Jean Paul Knott to retail her line in his high-end boutiques in Tokyo, Japan.

Kennedy, who started designing in Jamaica in the mid 1980s, is highly regarded for her classic, elegant designs, exquisite finish and marketable collection. Discussions with Knott took place during the post-show business segment, convened at the L'Arsenal venue immediately after the fashion presentation.

Collaborative effort

The presentation of the Jamaica Fashion Collections in Brussels was a collaborative effort of Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI), the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) and the Jamaica Fashion Cluster. Managed and produced by Pulse under contract with JTI, the market penetration initiative was funded by the European Union's Private Sector Development Programme and is seen as an important step for Jamaica, given the key role our creative industries must play if the Economic Partnership Agreement between Europe and the Caribbean is to be successful.

Made from 100 per cent West Indies sea island cotton fabric, Kennedy's collection was a talking point and one of the highlights of the Brussels shows. Kennedy received several offers to sell her line on the spot, but kept it intact for upcoming buying initiatives, including the launch of the Caribbean Fashion Week-WISIC pilot project scheduled for June.

Fabric sponsorship

Pulse Supermodel Kimanee Wilson in one of Sandra Kennedy's designs. - Contributed

The fabric used by Kennedy for her sample collection was jointly sponsored by Jamaica Agricultural Development Foundation (JADF) and Exclusive Cottons of the Caribbean International (ECCI), at Pulse's request. JADF and ECCI produce WISIC in Jamaica and Barbados, respectively.

Although it is early days yet, Kennedy is naturally elated at this exciting development. Highly talented and very well trained, Sandra Kennedy was born in England. After the North East Mid Essex College and School of Art, where she studied in England, Kennedy worked for such well known British brands as the French Connection and Wallace Fashion Group, before migrating to Jamaica in her early 20s.

Her CHAD and Sandra Kennedy lines became very successful in the 1980s, before she married and moved out of the fashion industry. Kennedy returned to fashion at CFW last year. She is a member of the Jamaica Fashion Cluster.