Tesi Johnson and Yahneake Sterling, Gleaner Writers

A Pulse model walking the runway at Caribbean Fashionweek 2005 in a Bill Edwards creation. In 2007 Edwards will be launching his line in the U.S., starting with a showing in February at the Magic International Trade Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. - Winston Sill/ Freelance Photographer

Over the past decade, Jamaican designers have risen to new heights in fashion, making ripples in the pond that is the international fashion circuit. Ripples that will ultimately grow into waves as they carve out a niche for Jamaican clothing.

THE Year 2006 saw great things emerging from the innate creativity of this influential little rock. Not only have our designers intrigued on the local runways at shows like Saint International's Fashion Block and Pulse's Caribbean Fashionweek, but may have also graced the international runways and magazine pages.

Most significant is that many moved into making a lucrative business out of fashion design. They penetrated the local retail and international market, finding firm footing to continue the Jamaican invasion in 2007, with local clothing attaining an equal measure of international recognition, as many of our models.

Bill Edwards

A virtual veteran on the local fashion scene, Edwards hints that in 2007 his focus is to break into the American market.

"We will formally launch the line in February at the Magic International Trade Show in Las Vegas, Nevada," says Edwards, whose self-titled line of menswear retails at Lee's Fifth Avenue Stores in Kingston and Montego Bay.

Locally, the line has enjoyed an expansion of their concept corner across all Lee's stores, as explained by Norris Clarke, managing director of Lee's Fifth Avenue.

"Bill's clothing is very good, the finishing is well done, they are trendy and the customers love it," he continues.