By Alicia Roache, Staff ReporterIF YOU haven't heard of them its because they want it that way. But if you have not heard of their designs, perhaps you have been living under a rock somewhere in the deep dark corner of a remote island.
Designers Carl Williams and Mark McDermott are the dynamic designing duo behind the distinct brand name, Uzuri International. Both have been creating wearable art since 1985.
Williams was busy wielding his scissors while this interview was taking place. He is the main creative talent behind the brand, while McDermott, who is also an employee with the Jamaica Tourist Board, acts as consultant and marketing manager for Uzuri.
The name 'Uzuri' is derived from Swahili, an African language
McDermott said: "it is not a word-for-word denotation but it relates to the concept of beauty".
He added that he liked the 'afrocentricity' of it when he was first introduced to the name via a friend at Hocking College in Ohio.
At college he acted as president of the International Student Society, a body responsible for the cultural integration of students.
But before the name Uzuri was formed, McDermott says he and Williams came up with the name 'WillMar' a fusion of their names. When they went to register the name they discovered that it was already taken.
It is not unusual for designers to get their start by making clothes for themselves. McDermott claims it was out of a desire to dress himself that the first Uzuri piece was created a drawstring pants and blazer. It is unusual however to go from creating casual wear for oneself to being a renowned designer in Jamaica of high fashion gowns for women. How did that happen? Inspiration, says McDermott.
Uzuri, as the name suggests is about beauty, the beauty of the female form. "Its about highlighting and celebrating the female form, its about the glamour and excitement," says McDermott.
As a result, Williams and McDermott like designing for women who embrace and accept their bodies. Their typical client says McDermott, is "A woman who is not afraid to take risks, not afraid to stand apart, isn't afraid to garner attention." Indeed, one is bound to stand out in an Uzuri outfit.
Their exquisite and wonderfully crafted gowns have been worn by Miss Jamaica World and Miss Jamaica Universe contestants and winners. But beauty queens are by no means the only people who wear Uzuri. And, gowns are just one page of the Uzuri catalogue.
Williams and McDermott design clothes for clients varied in sizes and personal styles from Aloun Assamba, Minister of Tourism and Industry, to Lisa Hanna, Miss World 1993. Their ideal client is "someone with a lot of money to spend," says McDermott. "Someone who can spend without looking over her shoulder, who does not have to think about rent when she is buying an outfit."
Uzuri can be found in Kingston on Trafalgar Road, and Ocean Village Shopping Mall in Ocho Rios, the designers' home town.
