Popular Jamaican fashion designer Keshon Hawthorne is here to show case at the Reflections Fashion Show slated for this weekend at the Theatre Guild. He was invited here by local designer Nelison Nurse who happens to be the promoter of the event.

Nurse is creating history amongst his designing peers by netting the much sought after Jamaican designer to showcase at his event and contacted this publication to inform that he had eventually netted the ‘hard to get’ personality who has been invited by other designers but sadly could not make it here before mow, because of other international assignment.
Sitting down to chat with the much celebrated Hawthorne, he just could not stop raving about the quite pleasant treatment he received at the hands of Guyanese, neither could he stop voicing his addiction to our rich Guyanese foods.
“I am an extremely busy man but when I was invited by Mr. Nurse I particularly took time out to be here because I am very impressed by his creations as a young designer and always wanted to showcase my stuff at one of his events. I am completely blown away by the refreshing hospitality that has been extended to me since I arrived a few days ago, and I am definitely hooked on Guyanese food… I have never tasted anything so good like the good Creoles cook-up rice, pepper-pot, roti and curry, and now I don’t think I can ever do without the chicken foot and cow heel souse, and black pudding that I have eaten here.
What impressed me particularly also is the warmth and quite stirring I have received by almost everyone with whom I have interacted in Guyana, and I just feel as if I belong here…As if these people are my real family…I feel so much at home in Guyana, more so since it appears that there is not really much stigma attached to male fashion and designing as in my home country….I am definitely coming back soon…”
Mr. Hawthorne promises to make a smashing entrance with his pieces at the Reflections Fashion Show and is even giving away a few of his pieces to lucky patrons in the audience.
The designer who showcased at the 2014 Saint International Style Week particulary gave patrons
goosebumps with his collection that featured clean cut lines and excellent finish… However his pieces were structured, they still maintained their femininity when it came down to movement and fit. The colour trend of red, black and white that was used extensively at the Style Week event was also used in Hawthorne’s collections.
The use of ruffles, the styling and red, white, black and blue colour palette suggests that the inspiration of this line may lie in Europe. More specifically Paris and Spain…

His collections were not only cohesive from beginning to end, but also it was something that would be suitable for the modern woman.
Keshon Hawthorne is a young and absolutely talented designer from Kingston, Jamaica. He has designed for Kevino Kouture in the past and studied at Garmex Academy. He’s amongst the top names in Caribbean Fashion and top choice for his signature women in trousers and evening wear. He also received high ovations at this year’s Style Week Jamaica for his latest collection.
Fashion Designer Keshon Hawthorne is one of those designers that are not afraid to express his inner dreams and thoughts for women when it comes to design. Keshon is amongst the top names in Caribbean Fashion and top choice for his signature women in trousers and evening wear. He also received high ovations at this year’s Style Week Jamaica for his latest collection.
At heart, Keshon is a Kingstonian, and hailing from the Island of Jamaica in the Caribbean is quietly confident and very approachable in public. It is my opinion that Keshon is a loveable person that you just want to hug and gave encouragement. You’ll also be in for an eye opening experience after having the briefest of conversation with him.
And he is firmly rooted to what he does, as was detected from his responses during our exclusive interview
“Never apologise for staying authentic to who you are. Even if it goes against what everyone says is “correct”. Is there a correct way to be YOU? And how is the correct way to be you dictated by another person? Whatever makes you smile, do that! Whoever makes you happy, be around them! Whatever brings you joy, celebrate that! Whoever has your best interest at heart, keep them around! Life is really simple. We make it complicated by trying to please everyone else instead of the most important person, SELF (spirit not ego)”!
This designer was also celebrated when he showcased at the prestigious ‘Mission Catwalk’ event in Jamaica which is pursued by almost every Caribbean designer. Here’s a quote from one of the organisers from the Haute People organisation.
“As soon as I saw the “Mission Catwalk” photos on Facebook, I was so excited. I’m so excited that Jamaica finally has a show of this magnitude and that it will be a launching pad for talented new designers. There was one person who stood out to me the most from all those pictures. This person’s style was just so amazing that I just had to reach out to him as soon as possible. We just had to go “Behind the Seams” with the super-talented Keshon Hawthorne.
He was all beaming as he told the tale of his eventual designing fame…
“I got started in fashion designing from high school and then i went to Garmex HEART/NTA Academy to expand my knowledge. My sense of style is bold, and show stopping, look at me… (Points to self and smile), and edgy but yet chic and classic… What I enjoy most about fashion designing is that I can express myself as a creative person and think ‘out of box’ to enhance garments for people. My most challenging experience in the fashion designing is going on Mission Catwalk because I had to think about the design, type of fabric suitable for my design, how to execute it, and also about hair and makeup all in one day… But I pulled it off successfully”
And he was smiling widely when he talked about his inspirations
“My Mother inspires me a lot because she was a teenage parent who gave up a lot of stuff just to make me feel comfortable in life, so it motivates and strengthens me to conquer the world by storm”
While concluding our interview Hawthorne said, “Learn, live, and breathe the fashion industry. Have personality and be focused always… The keyword is RESEARCH and never stop researching, it puts you a cut above the others”