By Graciano Clause
The Jamaica Center Business Improvement District is gearing up for the fifth annual “Just My Style” fashion event this weekend.
Downtown Jamaica, home to many diverse cultures, a lively business district, and plenty of music’s greats, will be the place to be come Saturday at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center.
Presented by the Jamaica Center BID, the event will bring over 400 communal leaders to experience the artistry, urbanity, and trends of the downtown area. “Just My Style” will showcase a unique lineup of trendsetting designer fashions, entertainment, food, and wine tasting. Special styles that will be featured include collections from Queens designer Margaret Persaud with her collection Gamakache Black, Riddim Driven and V Hanley collections.
Riddim Driven, a Caribbean collection is an easy-to-wear clothing line that displays the art and music of reggae culture. The V Hanley collection gives off stylish glam and colorful prints that bring out the luxury of a modern look for women. Gamakache Black whose love for black garments is expressed in different shades of textures and fabrics.
Valerie Stevens, director of business services and operations for Jamaica BID, explained how important the exposure to the community will be.
“This year I would like for people to have the experience of downtown Jamaica with the promotion of this fashion event displaying the area as a shopping destination, major transportation hub, art culture, and fashionista destination,” Stevens said.
There will be nine business retailers that will be participating this weekend. Those stores include Jean Star, Claire’s, Gap, Old Navy, along with a few others. The three new retailers for this year’s event are Tic Tock, Pretty Girls, and Pretty Women. Many of the new businesses mentioned tailor to everyone ranging from designer gowns, wear for prom, as well as clothes for night events.
Persaud who will be presenting her Gamakache Black collection is looking forward to representing Queens.
“I think this event is really letting Queens and other boroughs understand that Queens has a major role in fashion and some really talented designers,” Persaud said. “It’s always an amazing feeling having the neighborhood that you grew and developed in see your accomplishments, which makes me very excited to be apart of this event.”
The featured designer also mentioned that those who do attend can expect to see a mixing of fabric and texture in a very high fashion couture.
Oftentimes the word fashion brings out a connotation of costliness, but Stevens said customers won’t have to worry about prices.
“The stores that will be participating have quality, affordable fashion. In fact, Jamaica Center BID provides value cards with discounts of up to 20 percent, which are free to the customers and businesses,” Stevens said.
Just My Style’s goal will be to demonstrate the authentic and unique glitz and glamor of downtown Jamaica. There will be a combination of elements for the young and old, even people who don’t know much about the fashion world.
“On beat R&B performer of the ‘90s, Jeff Redd, will be there and this time around our event will be senior friendly,” said Stevens. “We want women to look sexy and not overtly sexy, but just conservative and provocative with the right touch.”
