Fashion Profiles: Fashion Meets Dancehall

From its emergence, Dancehall music has had this symbiotic relationship with fashion. Dancehall Artistes' expression of their personal taste in fashion is noticeable in their videos and as a result help to convey the sentiments embodied in their music. Conversely, some designers have found inspiration to create new collections based  off of the personal styles of Dancehall Artistes and their dancers.
In recent times, this relationship is becoming more evident, with Dancehall Artiste and CEO of Subkonshus Music Productions, Konshens, along with two other partners, launching a shoe line in September of 2013, appropriately named KONZ876. The name is a combination of Konshens' nickname, Konz and Jamaica's area code 876.

Konshens surrounded by all of the looks from the debut collection of his shoe line KONZ876

The launch party was held at Quad Night Club in Kingston, Jamaica and saw the likes of other Artistes such as Ce'Cile, Christopher Martin, Tarrus Riley, Masicka, Ishawna and Dj's Creep Chromatic, Marc Coppershot Chin and Copper Cutty and Olympic Gold Medalist Usain Bolt coming out to support the young Artiste in his new venture. Additionally, the attendees purchased a pair of sneakers of their own from the display of all the different looks from the shoe line that greeted them as they entered the venue. 

All those who came to support were first greeted by one of the KONZ876 promo girls and a display of all the looks from the debut of the shoe line

                                                            Usain Bolt, Ce'Cile and Christopher Martin

                                                                                            Ishawna 

                                                       Dj's Marc Coppershot Chin and Copper Cutty

                                   DJ Creep Chromatic

                                                              Tarrus Riley showing full support to his fellow Artiste

The shoe line is accessible to everyone whether it be through the flagship store in Kingston, Jamaica, on their website www.konz876.com and at other selected retail shoe stores. 

Konshens wearing the Subs Black at the company's store in Kingston, Jamaica, before the official launch of the shoe line

Below are the different looks that Konshens and his partners debuted as part of the launch of their shoe line KONZ876.

SUBS Pink

SUBS White

SUBS Black

GAME CHANGERS Black

GAME CHANGERS Blue

As the "face" of the shoe line, Konshens debuted a new collection in the shoe line's new ad that was premiered this March.

Take a closer look at a few of the new designs.

Kingston Classics Red

Pythons  Black

This young Artiste clearly shows his versatility and vision through his roles as CEO of Subkonshus Music Productions and more recently KONZ876. With that said, there can only be continued success for Konshens and his partners.

As usual I leave you with something to cap off your reading. The video below "Simple Song" is one of my favorite from Konshens. Tell me if you can identify his love interest in the video. (Hint: I wrote a post about her recently) The duo represent a Dancehall Artiste who is influencing fashion and a Designer who was inspired by Dancehall music to create her latest collection. Enjoy!








{Images courtesy of caribbeancloset.wordpress.com, caribdirect.com, konz876.com, caribwall.com, clickmarketonline.com. Skann Media Entertainment Facebook Page}

{Video courtesy of Lifeline Music JA Youtube Channel}

Fashion Profiles: KruZin to Jamaica

Model is wearing "Crazy Horse"sneakers  in  jasper and olive from the KruZin footwear line for women

Bet you thought I was giving away a free cruise for two to Jamaica on Carnival Cruises! KruZin is actually a footwear company launched in Taiwan in 2008 and has a team of designers with over two decades of experience in creating styles for brands like DKNY, Diesel and Converse. The company collaborated with Brazilian designer, Alessandra Gold in 2011 to create KruZin by Alessandra Gold to continue with the vision of a comfortable yet fashion forward line of athletic shoes for both men and women but with a more high end feel. Therefore, it would only be fitting that all of the brand's collections be placed at her flagship store, Alessandra Gold Concept Store, located in Miami, Florida.

Alessandra Gold, Creative Director of KruZin footwear 

With attention grabbing designs that allows anyone to reflect their unique style, it is no wonder that fellow Jamaican Artistes Ce'Cile and Christopher Martin, who definitely have their own unique and eclectic style, have become loyal fans of this footwear line.

Ce'Cile wearing the "Oxford" in lime green from the KruZin  footwear line for women

Lime green "Oxfords" from KruZin's line for women

Ce'Cile backstage, before her judging duties on Jamaica's talent competition show, "On The Verge", wearing "Crazy Horse" sneakers in orange, for women from the KruZin footwear line

"Crazy Horse" sneaker in orange as seen on Ce'Cile 

Ce'Cile behind the scenes of her video Regular/Wine Up Mi Body wearing "Crazy Horse" sneakers in neon green and orange from KruZin footwear   

"Crazy Horse" sneakers in neon green and orange as seen on Ce'Cile

Ce'Cile trading a pair of yellow pumps for a pair of comfy Vera Gold sneakers from the KruZin line

"Vera Gold" sneakers for women from the KruZin footwear line

Ce'Cile posting a shot of her "Crazy Horse" sneakers in silver from the KruZin line for her Instagram

With all the cool options available for women to choose from, I decided to share a few of my personal favourites.

"Crazy Horse" with flower prints

"Perf Mid"in white

"Crazy Horse" in indian tan

Singer Christopher Martin provides some styling inspiration for the guys when it comes to pairing his collection of  KruZin kicks with his outfits.

Christopher Martin completing his casual look with a  pair of  "Crazy Horse" sneakers in black from the KruZin footwear line for men

A close up of a pair of "Crazy Horse" sneakers in black

Christopher Martin too has taken to Instagram to show his love for his collection of KruZin sneakers. Here, he shows his pair of "Fantasy Canvas" sneakers in lime green.

A complete look at "Fantasy Canvas" sneakers in lime green from the KruZin collection for men

Christopher  looking relaxed and debonair while waiting for his flight. Chris's pair of "Oxford Checkers" from KruZin's  footwear line for men definitely added to the feel of this outfit.

A pair of the "Oxford Checkers" from KruZin's footwear collection for men

Again, I selected my favourite looks for the guys from the line's collection for men.

"Fantasy" in taupe

"Defense Lo" in beige and red 

"Perf Mid" in grey

With all these distinctive styles to choose from, I am sure that you have seen one pair of sneakers here to complete your outfit. To get KruZin footwear for both men and women check out www.alessandragold.myshopify.com and get your pair now!


{Images courtesy of Ce'Cile Faceboook page, Kruzin Footwear Facebook page, alessandragold.myshopify.com}

Fashion Profiles: Its James......James Black!

Now I know this is probably not the person you were imagining given the aforementioned introduction. Yes, James Black is actually a young woman hailing from the culturally rich and diverse island of Jamaica, where fashion rules all. This young and talented fashion designer proves that you do not need to be a world renowned fashion powerhouse to be successful in the fashion industry. Miss James Black is enjoying success on Caribbean soil and proving that any dream can be achieved with hard work, proper planning and more importantly passion.
James started her fashion career in 2004 by launching a  T-Shirt Line, "Yahdie Conscious", now "YC", along with her business partner at the time Ms. Jaye while attending The University of The West Indies. A few years later, in 2007 to be exact, the duo decided to expand the business to include a clothing line and eventually a headband line, "GlamHead", created solely by James. The duo have since parted ways with James maintaining the YC line and Ms Jaye creating her own clothing line aptly named "Ms Jaye".

Take a look at the edgy and trend setting pieces from the collections over the years.

                           StarGyal 

This line consisted of women's tees in a variety of cuts and styles with the logo "Stargyal".










                                         Summer 2011 Collection

Coral tail hem dress with gold chain link neckline

Vintage Lace Swimsuit

                                  Dear Summer Collection 2012

Multi coloured striped cropped top with skirt

Colorblock mesh cut out maxi dress with split

Peplum romper (front  and back view)                                                  

Mint eyelet cutout romper

                                   Murder She Wrote Collection

Inspired by Dancehall music and fashion from the 90's, James created a line in 2013, which was fittingly named after the popular Dancehall hit from Chaka Demus and Pliers entitled "Murder She Wrote". Don't remember? Let me refresh your memory.

The cuts and prints of the pieces from the collection truly reflect a nostalgia for 90's fashion.




















Also, in 2013, James released another collection of T-Shirts, tank tops and sweatshirts for men and women with the "Yahdie Conscious" logo, "YC".













The collections all show young creativity at its best and inspires even the non fashion lover. I know that with all that was said and seen  you may be wondering how you will be able to get your hands on these pieces. Don't dismay, you can order certain available pieces from  the YC clothing line and GlamHead line on http://www.ycglamhead.bigcartel.com/.
Also, you can keep abreast with the YC clothing line on the Facebook page, Yahdie Conscious and even check out James's blog http://www.jbstylezone.blogspot.com/ to get her views on all the latest fashion trends both internationally and in Jamaica.



(Images courtesy of Yahdie Conscious Facebook page and James Shopyc Black Facebook page)

(Video courtesy of Culturaroots Youtube Channel)