Barbara Ellington, Lifestyle Editor

Hot and happening New York fashion designer Indashio - Contributed

Celebrity New York fashion designer Indashio will bring his show to Ocho Rios, St Ann, on May 31, at the Coyaba Gardens and Mahoe Falls Shaw Park Estate. The collection, inspired by Las Vegas, made its debut at the last New York Fashion Week, appeared on MTV's Made and he also took the show to Honolulu, Hawaii.

The ebullient designer spoke exclusively with The Gleaner in an email interview about his work and what Jamaicans can expect from the show.

You seem very young; at what age did you get into the fashion business and are you a native New Yorker?

I started experimenting with design my senior year in high school; it was a great outlet for my creativity. I produced my first collection and show at age 19 and I am very proud to be self-taught, self-made and self-financed. I have been living in New York for five years prior to living in Florida, but I grew up in a small town in Massachusetts about two hours from New York City.

Who are your fashion designer inspirations and did you study design?

I taught myself and I find all fashion inspirational, from couture, to ready-to-wear, punk, hip hop and preppy. I love the way fashion reflects a person's personality. Designers who inspire me include: Westwood, John Galliano, Alexander McQueen and Jeremy Scott.

What is your target market and how easy or difficult is it to get celebrities to wear or buy your pieces?

My customer base is all about exclusivity which, in my opinion, is the ultimate in luxury. They want something as unique as they are. I found it easy to get celebrities to wear my clothes; it's the law of attraction.

I notice that you make some cutting-edge designs. How popular are those pieces?

People love my creations and I have been blessed to receive international notoriety. My creations aren't for everybody; people don't wear avant-garde every day or at all, for that matter.

Is your line in any department store or exclusive boutiques?

My line is exclusive to Patricia Field in New York City. She is amazing! I am so inspired by her as a stylist having worked on projects like Sex & the City and Devil Wears Prada, it's an honour to have my items in her boutique. They are also available at XIN on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles and I take orders on my website: www.indashio.com

Will you be designing merchandise-type items, such as sunglasses?

Yes, we are currently working on some licencing deals which will include jewellery, fragrance and sunglasses! The latter are my trademark, I love them! I think they are a must-have accessory as they make you more mysterious.

Why are you doing these shows and how did you hear about Jamaica?

I am a citizen of the world and I love travelling. I love meeting new people and cultures. I have always wanted to come to Jamaica and my good friend Kelly Tucker of VIBEZZ TV, and Mitya Gore of Coyaba Gardens called me one day and asked if I would do a show in Jamaica and of course, I said, "Yeah mon!"

Will this be your first trip here and what can we expect to see at the show?

This is my first trip to Jamaica. I am excited to be coming. My fashion shows are just that, a show! My clothes are magical and when the models wear them, they exude a magnetic energy which will leave you wanting more. This being my first in the Caribbean makes it extra special. I will continue to share my line and vision with the world. Indashio means living the dream, so it's my mission to make others do just that.