JAMAICA FASHION HISTORY
Pulse was founded in Kingston, Jamaica, in January 1980 by two young attorneys, Kingsley Cooper and Hilary Phillips. In the early years, Pulse promoted concerts and fashion shows. Acts such as the Commodores, Run DMC and Chaka Khan first appeared in Jamaica at Pulse concerts.
In 1982 the company opened the Pulse Model Agency, started a Personal Development Programme and staged the first Reggae Superjam concert. The Superjam series would come to be regarded as one of the best produced in the Caribbean. Peter Tosh performed his last concert (and one of his best) at Superjam in 1983. Also in 1983 the Jamaica Fashion Model competition (the Caribbean’s first model search), was founded.
Pulse pioneered, defined and developed an international modelling industry for the Caribbean, in the process discovering and developing supermodels and other international stars. The company created a new opportunity for local and international modelling and the current plethora of model agencies in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, is testimony to the quality and extent of Pulse’s work in this arena.
Since the 1980s Pulse has provided an international platform for the marketing of the region’s designers through the Caribbean Fashion Collections staged within the region, in major US cities and at the Miami Conference of the CLAA.
In 1989 the company was asked to host the Jamaica preliminary to Miss Universe. Pulse went on to post an outstanding record, producing 4 top 10 finalists (Sandra Foster, Kimberley Mais, Nicole Haughton and Christine Straw) at the international Pageant.
Pulse has brought many stars of music, film, fashion and beauty to Jamaica, including Keisha Cole, Kelly Rowland, Eve, Vanessa L Williams, Nia Long, Roshumba, Tyra Banks, Gail O’Neil, Mounia, Tyson Beckford, Erin Cosby, Ade Wale, and Miss Universe winners Michelle McLean, Chelsi Smith, Wendy Fitz-William and Mpule Kwelagobe.
Pulse models have been signed to international TV contracts (Rachel Stuart, BET), won Miss World (Lisa Hanna) and appeared on the cover of Vogue (Lois Samuels, Sedene Blake and Jeneil Williams).
Over the last 10 years (and currently), the company represented and continues to represent several of the most important new stars in world modelling including Vogue models Jeneil Williams, Nadine Willis, Jaunel McKenzie, Gaye Mc Donald, Sedene Blake, Alexia Palmer & Jeneil Williams as well as Sports Illustrated swimsuit model & Esquire covergirl Carla Campbell, Arena covergirl Nell Robinson, Polo &Abercrombie & Fitch campaign star Oraine Barrett, as well as Cosmo covergirl Sunna Gottshalk. Fashion Television described McKenzie in 2009, as the top new model in the world. Through its annual Caribbean Model Search, Pulse discovered and developed these models in Jamaica, before introducing them to the international marketplace.
Pulse’s Chairman, Kingsley Cooper, had the honour of chairing the committee responsible for Jamaica’s inaugural and highly successful hosting of opening night at the Midem music marketplace in Cannes, France. Cooper was also the first Chairman of Jamaica’s Industry Advisory Council for Entertainment under the country’s National Industrial Policy and was appointed the first Chairman of Jamaica’s Entertainment Board. He was elected Chairman of CAFIA, the regional fashion industry organization charged with the development of Caribbean fashion, at its inception on the signing of the Declaration of Kingston in June of 2009.
Cooper was recently re-appointed Chairman of the Entertainment Board by the Government of Jamaica.
In 1982 the company opened the Pulse Model Agency, started a Personal Development Programme and staged the first Reggae Superjam concert. The Superjam series would come to be regarded as one of the best produced in the Caribbean. Peter Tosh performed his last concert (and one of his best) at Superjam in 1983. Also in 1983 the Jamaica Fashion Model competition (the Caribbean’s first model search), was founded.
Pulse pioneered, defined and developed an international modelling industry for the Caribbean, in the process discovering and developing supermodels and other international stars. The company created a new opportunity for local and international modelling and the current plethora of model agencies in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, is testimony to the quality and extent of Pulse’s work in this arena.
Since the 1980s Pulse has provided an international platform for the marketing of the region’s designers through the Caribbean Fashion Collections staged within the region, in major US cities and at the Miami Conference of the CLAA.
In 1989 the company was asked to host the Jamaica preliminary to Miss Universe. Pulse went on to post an outstanding record, producing 4 top 10 finalists (Sandra Foster, Kimberley Mais, Nicole Haughton and Christine Straw) at the international Pageant.
Pulse has brought many stars of music, film, fashion and beauty to Jamaica, including Keisha Cole, Kelly Rowland, Eve, Vanessa L Williams, Nia Long, Roshumba, Tyra Banks, Gail O’Neil, Mounia, Tyson Beckford, Erin Cosby, Ade Wale, and Miss Universe winners Michelle McLean, Chelsi Smith, Wendy Fitz-William and Mpule Kwelagobe.
Pulse models have been signed to international TV contracts (Rachel Stuart, BET), won Miss World (Lisa Hanna) and appeared on the cover of Vogue (Lois Samuels, Sedene Blake and Jeneil Williams).
Over the last 10 years (and currently), the company represented and continues to represent several of the most important new stars in world modelling including Vogue models Jeneil Williams, Nadine Willis, Jaunel McKenzie, Gaye Mc Donald, Sedene Blake, Alexia Palmer & Jeneil Williams as well as Sports Illustrated swimsuit model & Esquire covergirl Carla Campbell, Arena covergirl Nell Robinson, Polo &Abercrombie & Fitch campaign star Oraine Barrett, as well as Cosmo covergirl Sunna Gottshalk. Fashion Television described McKenzie in 2009, as the top new model in the world. Through its annual Caribbean Model Search, Pulse discovered and developed these models in Jamaica, before introducing them to the international marketplace.
Pulse’s Chairman, Kingsley Cooper, had the honour of chairing the committee responsible for Jamaica’s inaugural and highly successful hosting of opening night at the Midem music marketplace in Cannes, France. Cooper was also the first Chairman of Jamaica’s Industry Advisory Council for Entertainment under the country’s National Industrial Policy and was appointed the first Chairman of Jamaica’s Entertainment Board. He was elected Chairman of CAFIA, the regional fashion industry organization charged with the development of Caribbean fashion, at its inception on the signing of the Declaration of Kingston in June of 2009.
Cooper was recently re-appointed Chairman of the Entertainment Board by the Government of Jamaica.
The Jamaican National Costume
A full-flaired skirt made of Madras bandana (predominantly red plaid cotton) material worn usually with a white blouse edged with matching bandana. Headwear varies from bandana wrapped in a special design to straw hat decorated with flowers
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Jamaican Fashion 1990-2000
This plus size woman rocks a purple sawed dress with shows her curves and make her body looks fabulous.
Jamaican Fashion 1990-2000
This beautiful African Princess rocks a leather dress with stretchable side.
Jamaican Fashion 1990-2000
This beauty rocks an egyptian two piece outfit for the camera's.
Jamaican Fashion 1990-2000
Jamaican Fashion 1990-2000
Jamaican Fashion 1990-2000
Jamaican Fashion 2000-2012
These three women dress to impress the camera's at the nation indoors stadium.
Jamaican Fashion 2000-2012
This classic lady models a normal outfit for work occasion. She brings the colours to live. she models a sleevless black top with an ocean blue bottom.
Jamaican Fashion 2000-2012
Who said pink was not for Black people. This model works a bat wing swimsuite she makes this swimsuite pop and the camera's love her.
Jamaican Fashion 2000-2012
By day, Jamaican born Allan Virgo designs outerwear for Michael Kors. By night, the 26-year-old FIT graduate fashions his own line of beautifully colored maxi dresses, one shoulder frocks, and asymmetrical skirts, characterized by a signature patchwork style melding different patterns and fabrics.
Jamaican Fashion 2000-2012
Gregory Williams of HOD called his adventurous collection, “Ninja Glam.” Models in pin cushion bras (replete with pins) sauntered down the runway in leggings, jumpsuits, and tops with dramatic elements like generous hoods and parachute like pockets
Jamaican Fashion 2000-2012
Though some pieces in the collection fell away from the brand’s aesthetic with plastic cut outs placed on A-line skirts, Virgo will certainly triumph by sticking to more feminine elements: crop tops, skirts, and floor grazing yet easy frocks.