Style Observer (SO) presents our 2018 Most Memorable series. Until the New Year, we will chronicle instances that gave us both pause and reason to celebrate. Each thematic Most Memorable list will take us across The Rock, the Caribbean and the diaspora and remind us that wherever our people are, newsworthy moves abound. First up, fashion!

Spice

Grace “Spice” Hamilton had fans (and haters) the world over tilting their heads when she unveiled her new complexion. The icing sugar doppelgänger was a publicity stunt for her melanin anthem Black Hypocrisy. Thanks, Spice for making us realise that we all should walk with defibrillators.

Carly Cushnie

It’s been a busy year for Carly Cushnie. Not only did she split from her decade-long business partner Michelle Ochs, but Cushine also débuted her solo collection at New York Fashion Week (NYFW) to glorious acclaim. She followed the act by announcing the launch of an eponymous bridal collection, the samples of which have already caught the eye of Vogue.

Royal Wedding Watch

Royal Family enthusiasts checked in on the exclusive Royal Club Floor of the Jamaica Pegasus on Friday, May 18 ahead of Saturday’s early wake-up call to witness the nuptials of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The Jamaica Observer weekend-long event included a welcome spa party, make-up sessions for each guest and a 4:00 am Champagne-fuelled viewing party. Plus, there were two British Airways tickets to London up for grabs! Attendees are still talking about it.

Savage x Fenty

On Wednesday, September 12 Bajan superstar Rihanna caused a furore at the end of NYFW with the launch of her Savage x Fenty lingerie collection. Held at the Brooklyn Navy Yard the unforgettable event was body inclusive and even included a very pregnant Slick Woods who went into labour moments after leaving the catwalk. Drama! This event has earned its place amongst the canon of legendary fashion events.

Year of SAINT

It seemed that every day this year there was news of a Saint model making strides and bowling over audiences across the world. Saint ensured that Rock models were front and centre at runway shows, on magazine pages and in ad campaigns. From Tami Williams walking for Chanel to Haytal Blackwood starring in a Gucci campaign. From Romaine Dixon for Hugo Boss and Dior to Kimali Morgan strutting down Balenciaga’s SS19 runway at Paris Fashion Week, it has definitely been a year of Saint.

Beyoncé & Jay-Z in Jamaica

March 20 will forever be etched into the memories of Trench Town residents. World-renowned power music couple Beyoncé & Jay-Z came to The Rock to film vignettes for their On The Run tour. The world (and many who live in St Andrew) finally knew exactly where Trench Town was that day. And, let’s not forget that a few months later in May Beyoncé was spotted in Milan wearing a Flowerchild1999 Miah handbag by Jamaica’s own Kaysian Bourke.

Carlton Brown at DominicanaModa 2018

Local menswear designer Carlton Brown repped The Rock at DominicanaModa 2018. Considered the fashion event for the Dominican Republic, Brown’s presentation was worthy of any global fashion week event and showed the Spanish speaking region that we too can tango with the best of them.

Grace Jones, OJ

On National Heroes Day Grace Jones was conferred with the Order of Jamaica. The chanteuse/model/actress arrived at King’s House in an outfit that had eyebrows raised and mouths agog. Luxury name brands from head to toe! A true diva and fashion icon, Grace Jones has brought our nation glory with her roles on the silver screen and her cult status as a musician. Remember that Island Life cover? Mercy!

MATEO & Michelle Obama

New York-based Jamaican accessories designer Matthew ‘Mateo’ Harris has had a memorable 2018. From being a resident judge on Mission Catwalk: Celebrity Edition to having his pieces worn by Insecure creator Issa Rae for her hosting duties at Rihanna’s fourth-annual Diamond Ball, Harris has become a celeb fave. However, what could prepare us (yes, when one of us wins we all win) for MATEO earrings to be worn by former First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS) Michelle Obama? Obama wore MATEO gold hoop earrings on the December issue cover of Essence and a little bird told us Obama is a fan and there’s more to come. Egad!

Pat McGrath’s Billion Dollar Valuation

In July Jamaican-born cosmetics mogul Pat McGrath received an investment of US$ 60 million from Eurazeo Brands. This investment took the valuation of Pat McGrath Labs past the US$1 billion mark and McGrath at the helm of a impressive empire.

drennaLUNA at Buckingham Palace

Local fashion designer Arlene Martin was one of the fashion talents from across the Commonwealth’s 52 countries selected to showcase at Buckingham Palace in February. The special exhibit highlighted sustainability and displayed the power and potential of artisan fashion skills to deliver new networks and develop trade links. Our girl Martin, clearly on the Royal radar, made us proud. We can’t wait to see what 2019 has in store for her.

Helmer Handbags

A trio of Rock Belles are the creators of the in demand Helmer handbags and SO delighted in sharing their story in September as the world eagerly awaited all things new in fashion.

Born organically on a trip to Bali the brand according to matriarch Shevanne Helmer was inspired to make a brand around the art of travelling. “We were in constant search of finding the perfect item to take on our trips, the lightest and chicest bags, the best outfits that didn’t crush and were versatile…So our first bag, the Jojo bag, named after my son, is the ultimate bag for travel and life, probably the lightest and sturdiest bag there is, plus made of ecologically sourced snakeskin that ages beautifuly, is easy to pack, and takes up minimum space in the suitcase”.

Rochele Spencer Wins Mission Catwalk Celebrity Edition

Mandeville-bred fashion designer Rochele Spencer was one of two Jamaican finalists who made it to season six of the Mission Catwalk Celebrity Edition. Spencer’s punto finale collection dubbed Utopia Garden, evoked a youthful playfulness by way of 3d fabric, silks, a pastel palette, and chiffon creations — making her the obvious winner of the design competition. And, the collection yet another noteworthy moment

Island Child Style

The Rock’s cherished kiddie couture fashion show, returned in earnest on Saturday, November 24 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. With fashion moments in abundance from some of the Rock’s most noted designers worn by the next generation of supermodels there’s no doubt that this was one of the year’s most fashionable.

SO September Issue Cover Girl Tosh Alexander

We longlisted 40 beauties and asked our readers, to vote for their favourites. That resulted in our top 10 list and after some more voting, Tosh Alexander was crowned our cover girl! With a Yard-inspired flower crown and jewellery from Bijoux SO‘s first September Issue cover girl was worthy of the title.

Meghan in Greta Constantine

While she was still a royal-in-waiting Meghan Markle continued her parade of showstopping fashion choices with a skirt from Rock-born fashion designers Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong. Fashionistas around the world made a run for the skirt that immediately sold out and resulted in a months-long waitlist. This phenomenon (that whatever she wears sells out) should be called the Markle Effect.