Article written by Theresa Storm.
With the cerulean Caribbean Sea, lush jungles, bright blooms and towering volcanic peaks for inspiration, it’s no surprise the Caribbean fosters a bevy of distinctive, talented fashion and jewellery designers.
Here we meet four from a smattering of Caribbean islands and learn what makes their coveted creations standout.
Anguilla: Donilia Swimwear
Anguillian designer Donilia Reid is a swimsuit designer specializing in quality handmade suits to fit all shapes and sizes. Growing up on the island of Anguilla with 33 stunning beaches, Donilia understands the importance of good swimwear. By creating unique designs for her brand Donilia Swimwear, her vision is to inspire confidence and capture the vibe of what it means to be Anguillian.
By the age of 12, her love for fashion steered her to the art of sewing. Although mostly self taught, she furthered her expertise at the University of Arts in London.
Over the past eight years, the 25-year-old has made outfits for fashion shows and pageants and won best swimsuit in the 2019 Miss Anguilla Pageant and Poker Run 2020 and 2022 (a local annual beach-hopping and boating event).
Ready to shop? Donilia has ready-made suits in her studio in Blowing Point (please first DM on Instagram or Messenger or email doniliaswimwear.info@gmail.com). She also has an exclusive collection at Manoah Boutique Hotel.
Not in Anguilla? Choose from Donilia’s many designs on her webpage and she will tailor the suit to your size. Her wide selection of prints and colours enable you to mix and match to create a style that is uniquely you.
If you’re looking to feel your best in a custom swimsuit, Donilia will take your measurements and consult on the design and fabric, followed later by a fitting. If you won’t be on the island long, she recommends consulting and preordering four weeks before arriving.
Grenada: Fe Noel
Grenada’s pride and joy is well-known fashion designer Felisha “Fe” Noel. Although Brooklyn-based, the womenswear designer is deeply influenced by her Grenadian heritage and large, close-knit family, we learned from her beautiful site. “She especially holds her mother and grandmother in high regard, crediting them for showing what drive, determination and humble hearts will earn you.”
With a passion for travel, a love of vibrant colours, and a penchant for bold prints, she opened a Brooklyn boutique at the age of 19. It was the catalyst for her namesake brand Fe Noel, embedded with the philosophy, “Eat well, travel often, and dress to inspire!”
Looking through several collections on her website, it’s clear Fe Is a master of drapey, voluminous sleeves: wilted sleeve robes, statement sleeve hoodies, and puff sleeve bodysuits and dresses, for example. And her nutmeg collections feature prints of Grenada’s most famous spice.
Where can you buy her clothing?
In Grenada at the Bohemia Boutique at Silversands Resort (Grand Anse and Beach House locations).
In Brooklyn’s Little Caribbean, you’ll find the Fe Noel Little Caribbean boutique. The designer outlet is stocked with limited/small runs, past season discounted items and guest brand collaborations. Also available online.
Fe Noel also offers a custom, made to measure option. Your measurements are taken either virtually or in person at the Fe Noel atelier, then the garment is made for you.
Martinique: Jaddict Créations
Jaddict Créations is the clothing brand of Jade JACOBELLI Jaddict, a Martinique textile designer and visual collage artist. Here is what she shared with One Caribbean Canada:
What is your background?
I trained in multimedia graphic design and 3D modelling. As for sewing, the craft was passed down to me by my grandmother when I was young.
As a fashion/textile designer, what are you known for?
All my pieces are unique creations crafted from fabrics I source during my travels (Benin, Canada, Miami, Italy…). I rely heavily on patchwork techniques, which mirror my visual art style of combining analog and digital collage.
Up cycling has become a pillar of my artistic identity. I start from recycled materials, from what has been cast aside, and transform them. For me, up cycling is not an ecological stance: it is a way of working with the memory of materials, of putting what comes from afar in dialogue with what comes from here.
What else do you do?
In addition to my work as a fashion/textile designer, I am also a visual artist. My paintings are on permanent display at La Suite Villa (the only five-star hotel in Martinique), where I am currently an artist-in-residence year-round.
Where can we buy your creations?
My clothes are available on my website and through my Instagram page @jaddictcreations.
Antigua and Barbuda: Miranda Askie Designs
Miranda Askie is an accessory and clothing designer with roots in Antigua and Barbuda, where she resides, and Dominica, where she was born. “Blending the rich volcanic spirit of my birthplace with the vibrant energy of Antigua’s 365 beaches, my heritage is a unique Caribbean tapestry that influences everything i do.”
She’s best known for bold sculptural accessories designed to elevate the style of confident, mature individuals. “My signature pieces serve as sophisticated focal points that transform an outfit, allowing my audience to express their individuality with elegance and poise. Our motto is: Accessorizing the Positive.
“I’ve been in the creative space practically all my life, however I took up jewellery designing over 20 years ago and designing clothing over a decade ago. I mainly focus on minimalist silhouettes using quality fabrics and versatile colour schemes. Our easy breezy styles allow movement, creating an effortless luxury resort vibe, like a flowing Moomoo styled with high-waisted pants or worn as a coverup over a swimsuit. I consider our aesthetic to be simple casual, which can be dressed up or down. And I ensure my creations remain innovative, high quality and deeply unique.”
Along with her sister and business partner, Marleen, the Askies run atelier Miranda Askie Designs in the St. John’s suburb of Potters Village. Some bespoke accessories and garments are also available in island resorts.
Article by Theresa Storm. A four-month-long solo island-hopping adventure through the Caribbean 28 years ago ignited Theresa’s passion for the tropics, culture, nature and trying new adventures.
Back home in Calgary, her increasingly restless, itchy feet soon led to a career writing about travel worldwide. She loves escaping winter for warmer climes, especially to the Caribbean, which has long felt like her real home.
As an award-winning travel writer and photographer, she’s penned scores of articles for magazines, newspapers and e-zines, and contributed to books including Caribbean Escapes and the first edition of DK Eyewitness Caribbean.
Her articles and photographs have been published in magazines including Bon Vivant, Extraordinary Experiences and Vacations (Ensemble Travel Group), Wanderlust (U.K.), Avenue Calgary, WestJet (WestJet Airline’s in-flight), Morning Calm (Korean Air’s in-flight), LUXE Magazine Canada, AAA publications, Cruise & Travel Lifestyles, Dreamscapes and Today’s Parent.
She is a two-time winner of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Canadian Travel Writer of the Year award and twice won CTO’s best photograph with a feature article and best online feature. She also was honoured with the Travel Media Association of Canada’s excellence in Caribbean travel writing award.
