- CONTRIBUTED
A model sports a T-shirt from the Wayot clothing line.WESTERN BUREAU:
WAYOT FASHIONS officially became a part of the Montego Bay fashion landscape last Saturday, when Big Head Promotions hosted the official launch party at Margaritaville on the Hip Strip.
Three sound systems, namely, Miami's Black Chiney, Renaissance and Miami's Hipnotiq, held sway and took the crowd to a higher level. Selection after selection, hit after hit, the crowd never complained. But Black Chiney obviously stole the night.
Patrons decked out in Wayot's latest offerings men in the latest t-shirts and women in the hottest of hot pants and tops, were the highlight of the night.
Wayot is the brainchild of three entrepreneurs who originate from Montego Bay's inner city. Mark Bernard, Sean Morris and Allan Bernard, all 28 years old, are the owners of the brand. They have been friends since attending basic school, but solidified their friendships at Cornwall College in Montego Bay.
Allan Bernard, who is responsible for Wayot in Jamaica, is a lecturer at the University of the West Indies.
BRAINCHILD
"The idea for the fashion line came about in 1999. It was Mark's brain-child, then he incorporated Sean, as they both lived in South Florida, and then I came on board in Jamaica," Mr. Bernard said, in a recent interview with Western Focus.
According to Allan Bernard, he and Mark Bernard, who is a United States-based promoter, grew up in the community of Flankers and are actively involved in the urban culture of South Florida.
Mr. Morris grew up in Whitehouse, St. James, which adjoins Flankers and is a record producer, promoter, and one of the top selectors in South Florida. He also owns two record labels and the Miami-based party sound Hipnotiq.
"We want people to wear our clothes and feel comfortable beside someone wearing an established brand," Allan Bernard asserted. "We want someone to feel the power of the statement they are making when they wear our brand."
Interestingly, the fashion line depicts images and concepts related to urban culture and are symbolic links to the communities from which the young men hail. Hence their slogan 'Live the Streets, Learn the Way Out'.
