PinchersFOR the more trendy look, local entertainers are shunning local designers, and instead, opting for patronising international name-brands such as Moschino and Versace.
The move is a costly one with suits costing up to US$2,000,THE STAR understands.
Gone are the days when 'Biggy', 'Little', 'Prince', 'Lawman' - all local designers - were filling orders for entertainers like Buju Banton, Garnett Silk, Pinchers and Shabba Ranks. That was in the early 90s.
Prince, a local designer who made outfits for the late Garnet Silk, and Junior Reid, said entertainers no longer patronise him.
"The situation is so bad I am now making formal wear for office clerks. Local entertainers are going for name-brand suits so they prefer to shop abroad," he added.
Artistes like Beenie Man, Ninjaman and Tanto Metro are said to be spending thousands of dollars to get their suits abroad. According to Tanto Metro, shopping abroad allows the entertainer to get a wide variety of suits which can be worn on any occasion.
Ninjaman said he missed shopping in Switzerland where most of his suits were made in in the 1980s. "Is up a Switzerland all my bashy suits come when I used to rule dancehall. I feel when an entertainer go on stage they must look unusual." Apart from patronising foreign designers, Ninjaman said the only local designer that attracted him was Ouch.
"They (Ouch) made all those lovely suits ah wear on stage in 1995 and 1996 and if a find other local designers as good I would allow them to make my outfits too."
Pinchers, regarded as the "don" for bashment suits said while patronising local designers, he still shops around for special outfits abroad. Pinchers argues that many entertainers are willing to "dump" local designers in favour of those abroad: "...because there is a wider range of material abroad. There are certain style changes our local designers might not be able to catch on to easily."
Mr. Patrick Roberts, CEO Shocking Vibes Production confirms that Beenie Man shops abroad regularly, but he still spends money on local outfits. "It depends on the type of shows but I still feel more local entertainers should patronise local designers."
Some veteran performers also patronise foreign designs. Ken Boothe, for example, claims most of his suits are designed at Kings of Garment, New York.
But, "There is also a local designer called "Balla" who makes some of my garments."
Yasus Afari, however, prefers to spend his money on outfits made by local designers. "I believe in local designers although I buy a few outfits in Ghana. Whenever I travel I buy foreign material but use local people to make my outfits."
The consensus among younger entertainers is that our designers are less creative and this makes them lose out on the market.
"Our local designers tend to make the same outfits even for those who are not entertainers and we have to keep up with the trends," explains Angel Faith.
Devon "Lawman" Virgo, one local designer who makes suits for Yasus Afari said more local entertainers ought to use local designers in order to encourage them to be more competitive in the fashion market.
"And there is hardly any difference between the designs," he said.
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