Stitched Together
For the second in a series of Jamaica Observer Takes Style Out salon dinners, aptly labelled Seamlessly Stitched, SO headed to the off-the-Boulevard atelier of Angella Scott’s, last Tuesday, where the Safidah designer and founder in the company of her muses – all swathed in her African waxprint designs — broke bread in the name of fashion, its bigger industry, and the Jamaican economy. Fuzion Food Service Executive Chef Christian Sweeney – a Lasco Distributors brand ambassador – prepared three courses of a salad starter, grilled chicken entrée, and a Napoleon dessert, complemented by the Red Stripe Beer Light and Flavours portfolio. Takes Style Out founder Novia McDonald-Whyte, wearing a pleated ball skirt by Safidah, opened the discussion portion of ‘The Art of Sofistication’ experience with a familiar line of questioning, which revealed an implicit ‘movement of trust’ and flashbacks of the heart.
Marjorie Shaw
Attorney-at-law
What keeps you coming back?
“Angella identifies your needs. And, for those of us who have more curves than flesh, we tend to be a little intimidated by exposing ourselves and seeking appropriate clothing for our silhouette. The first time she makes something for you, it fits, and it fits well, and everybody admires it. Her personality as well – it’s uncomplicated and very endearing. She does try to engineer you out of your comfort zone, we all need that person that will steer us unto the path that we really need to be going.”
Tell us about tonight’s outfit?
“I came here last night and there wasn’t any piece to wear. Safidah is really a movement of trust. I was first introduced to this piece today, and that’s it. I love the dress and didn’t think this is what I would have wanted; it’s beautiful.”
Ayanna Kirton
Jamaica Yellow Pages Marketing Manager
What keeps you coming back?
“Angella has a great eye for fabric. The way she cuts patterns really accentuates the fabric. She is so open to collaborating with me. Every time I have a special occasion I have on something that she’s made. She is able to whip up something with only a moment’s notice, and always with a smile.”
Tell us about tonight’s outfit?
“Angella knows that I live for African print, and white; they’re my thing. I feel like I have died and gone to heaven, this fabric is so beautiful. She also knows that I love everything really short. I love this kind of silhouette, the mod shift and minis. I think I might have lived in the Sixties in my past life.”
Carolyn Reid
Ping’s Fabrics Central Plaza Manager
What keeps you coming back?
“Angella’s personality is similar to mine and we share a love affair for fabric. She understands me. She understands my style, so it’s easy to keep coming back. Doesn’t matter what she puts on you, you’re gonna look like a million dollars, and that you’re going to feel like million dollars. I really believe in supporting our local designers, I wear only local designers.”
Rochelle Cameron
Flow Vice-President, Legal & Regulatory
When did start wearing Safidah?
“I’m a newbie. I started wearing Safidah in April of 2016. My first piece was for the Page 2 anniversary gala. I told Angella I needed something amazing, and she responded that she had the perfect fabric for me. Now, I’m here like every week. Always here. That first design was that blue dress.”
What keeps you coming back?
“I always have something at the last minute. Angella is always welcoming. She knows my style. I literally come and change here and go where I’m going.”
Keisha Summers
Partners Meats & Groceries Manager
When did I start wearing Safidah?
“It was a simple, elegant event. Angella made me a nice shirtdress. Everybody thought I had bought it in the United States. It was a perfect finish.”
What keeps you coming back?
“I have a love affair going on with her work. It is just absolutely beautiful. Doesn’t matter the event, she delivers and she delivers on point. Formal, semi-formal, casually chic, she knows the exact thing to make me look slick.”
Nasha-Monique Douglas
Red Stripe Beer Senior Brand Manager
When did start wearing Safidah?
“I went to a pop-up shop in December 2014 and bought a few pieces but I needed to come by to get something altered, and that’s how I got sucked into this vortex. I don’t think I’ve bought clothes outside of gym clothes since meeting Angella. Clothes for me are emotional, I’m not a size 4 but I always want to look good. I’ve always had the struggle of getting things off-the-rack that were perfectly tailored for me.”
What keeps you coming back?
“I love her fabrics and her attention to detail. That’s a big thing for me.”
Douglas (left) pictured with Jamaica Observer Takes Style Out Founder & Seamlessly Stitched co-host Novia McDonald-Whyte.
Nicola Chang
Pre-school educator
What keeps you coming back?
“Everything that I wear, whatever the occasion, is Safidah. My husband buys everything from her, for my Christmas and my birthdays. Angella knows my style. I just come to fit, and that’s it. I’m always happy.”
Catherine Goodall
Lasco Beverages Marketing Manager
When did start wearing Safidah?
“This my first outfit. I would never wear something like this under normal circumstances but I love it.”
Will you return?
“I’m already a returning client because I’ve already placed a number of orders. Angella’s fabrics are beautiful.”
Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn
Entrepreneur & member of parliament for West Rural St Andrew
When did start wearing Safidah?
“It was right before I got married. Makeba Bennett-Easy got Angella to make me a beachwear piece for my honeymoon. Not knowing who Angella was at the time, but Makeba wears such nice clothes, so I trusted her. It was a really pretty coral material. Of course, I looked so fabulous on the beach in that outfit. I don’t take a lot of pictures of myself. But I actually have a photo in that same outfit of my husband and me. Every time I look at that picture I always think of Angella.”
Tell us about tonight’s outfit?
“I love it; it feels very comfortable, and fits nicely. I have never worn African prints but my husband saw me in this dress and he was like, ‘Wow’. Who knows, I may get some African-print dresses made now.”
Tosh Alexander
Recording artiste (and daughter of fellow diner, Marcia Simmonds)
When did you start wearing Safidah?
“I met Angella at Market On The Lawn and I told her that I need dresses like what she’d been making for Mommy.” Friends would ask me where I got a dress and I would say here in Jamaica. They would re-ask the question in disbelief. I was proud, because normally people were usually boasting about shopping aboard for their wardrobe, and they wouldn’t embrace what’s here.”
What keeps you coming back?
“I keep returning because Angella has a very jovial spirit. She makes you feel comfortable. And, what I do like, it’s not just the quality, I’m all about things looking effortless. When you can turn a simple black dress or a simple white dress and make it stand out; that’s a gift.”
Tell us about tonight’s outfit?
“It’s the first time I’m wearing an African print. I love this; it’s so eccentric. I feel like I’m just bursting right now.”
Marcia Simmonds
Honda Plus Auto Parts & Service Centre director/manager
(and mother of of fellow diner, Tosh Alexander)
When did you start wearing Safidah?
“I was there at the inception of Safidah. And, how proud am I of my friend. When the outfits were ready to be made, I was the one modelling them. Every event or fashion show I always had on one of her outfits. The name wasn’t Safidah yet. People would approach me about what I was wearing and I would give them Angella’s address; phone number; everything! Look at her right now; I’m so proud of her!”
