By Lovern Hayes, Flair Coordinator
Above: (Contributed) Janette as a model in London in 1969. At left and right: Mother and daughter, Janette and Janelle Robinson. - Carlington Wilmot /Freelance Photographer
IT IS often said that 'the apple doesn't fall far from the tree'. Well, that's true for the current Supermodel of Jamaica and the Caribbean Janelle Robinson and her mother Janette Finson. More than 30 years ago, Finson also graced the stage as a model. Although her career was not long and illustrious, it was enough to inspire her daughter to walk in her footsteps.
In 1968, after completing sixth form at St. Andrew High School in Kingston, Finson was carted off to finishing school in London by her parents, who were adamant that she become more refined and ladylike. However, she was introduced to modelling by Michael Whittaker, of Whittaker Enterprises Limited, who taught her to walk in between telephone calls. Soon she was doing private fashion shows for the fashion house of couturier Jean Varon.
"Honestly, I didn't think I would get involved in modelling. I was always into fashion, but I kinda fell into modelling and really enjoyed it too. I never worked the catwalk per se, but in doing the fashion shows, I had fun and met, and still have, some good friends," she says.
"The thing about me at that time though, was the fact that I had a chest that made me stand out from the others."
She modelled for three years, and when she returned to her homeland in 1972 her parents realised, to their dismay, that sending her to finishing school in England had not helped.
"I came back the same way I left. Or worse, rather...my father lamented that I came back like a 'fish woman'. Just as loud, speaking very Jamaican, exactly the same after spending four to five years in England," she laughingly recalls.
Shortly after her return, she married Gordon Robinson. Now, after almost 30 years of being a wife and mother of three, she can sit back and enjoy her only daughter and last child's success on the catwalk, locally and internationally.
"I didn't really expect that Janelle would follow in my footsteps. She is doing very well in school so I am not worried that she has nothing to fall back on...plus she has her head on her shoulders. She has a very level head so I am not overly worried when she has to go away."
As for Robinson, the Immaculate Conception High school graduate says she never expected to follow in her mother's footsteps. "I always liked modelling, but I never thought I could do it. I was a member of the Tony Wilson dance company, actually I had been dancing for eight years, when I met Kingsley Cooper at a performance at the Hilton hotel and he thought I should become a model," Robinson remembers.
That was approximately 18 months ago. She joined the Pulse family and although she was unable to model in the truest sense of the word, Cooper and company started grooming her for the catwalk and other major competitions.
Sitting side by side on a plush sofa in their warm, comfortable living room off Constant Spring Road, St. Andrew, Finson is poised and confident, while her daughter is nervous and hesitant. However, Robinson seems to draw strength from her mother's presence with furtive glances and slight touches. What is unmistakable is the love and respect they have for each other. They are close.
"I can tell my mummy everything," boasts Robinson. "She is my best friend."
When she is preparing to take the stage, be it for competition or a simple modelling assignment, Finson is there to support her and offer guidance.
"I try to get her to stay focused, care for her skin and get enough rest before any assignment. I also try to ensure that she isn't too pressured by the modelling thing...you know, that she isn't taking it too seriously to the detriment of everything else."
Robinson interrupts: "But mummy really helped me with my walk. I think she has a really graceful walk and I asked her to help me improve mine."
It would seem that the
mother/daughter collaboration has borne fruit, because in the same year that Janelle started modelling, she entered and clinched the Supermodel of Jamaica and the Caribbean titles. Although she didn't fare too well in the Supermodel of the World competition, held in the Dominican Republic last year, she has been snapped up by Ford, New York, and has the distinction of being the first Caribbean model to be signed to that agency for editorial assignments and campaigns. She is now on her way, first to Miami and then on to New York, and her mother will be right there with her.
Finson says she is willing and prepared to drop everything to accompany her daughter on her travels around the globe. She acknowledges that in her day, there was not much to threaten her well-being in the modelling profession. Actually, because she never entered competitions and simply did private fashion shows, she 'had it easy.' Times have changed, however, and she is sometimes fearful for her daughter.
"I am apprehensive about a lot of things. First of all, nowadays the field is highly competitive, often there is intense competition among the girls. Nowadays too, there is the threat of drugs, smoking alcohol etcetera, or exploitation. What I try to do then, is go with her and guide her along as we go."
Janette & Janelle
FL: What's your favourite colour?
Janette: Black. I love black...but I also love white.
Janelle: Blue is my favourite but I also like bright colours like red.
FL: Have you ever done anything that makes you say 'Oh no, I did it again!'?
Janette: I'm always losing things...
Janelle: Cramming for a test. I always plan to study but never get around to it.
FL: What have you done and surprised yourself?
Janette: This interview!
Janelle: Reached this far in my modelling career in such a short space of time.
FL: What qualities do you like about yourself?
Janette: I'm caring, nurturing and get along well with everybody.
Janelle: I'm very easy to get along with and I like to help people in any way I can. I also love meeting people and learning about them, their culture, traditions etcetera. I know that this modelling thing will not go to my head. I am just going to have fun now and when my time is over, I'm prepared to move on with my life and make something of myself.
FL: What would you change about yourself?
Janette: I would like to be more patient.
Janelle: My feet. They are ugly!
FL: What's your favourite food?
Janette: Definitely chocolate.
Janelle: Ackee and saltfish, fried dumpling, calalloo and boiled banana.
FL: Who is your favourite local designer?
Janette: I don't have a particular favourite. I just dress to look good and be comfortable, irrespective of who is the designer.
Janelle: I love Uzuri's stuff. Karl and Mark are really exceptional designers. I also love Catch A Fire's clothing. Actually, this skirt is one of their pieces.
FL: What do you do to relax?
Janette: I relax in the gym. I absolutely love the gym. I also like to walk so I walk around the dam. Plus I read and watch television.
Janelle: I play the piano, listen to music, watch MTV and BET, talk on the phone, hang out with friends and sometimes read. I also really like to learn new things, meet new people from different countries and backgrounds so that I can learn about their country, culture etcetera.
FL: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Janette: Hopefully happy, healthy with my children all settled and doing well, and my grandchildren around me.
Janelle: By then I should be an internationally recognised supermodel. Also, in that time I hope to have made enough money in modelling and I should be doing my business degree.
