Washington Goes Lee’s
Renowned designer Courtney Washington has designs housed in boutiques throughout North America, including such cities as New York and Washington DC. But now the creations of the Jamaican-born designer have found a home at Lee’s Fifth Avenue at Tropical Plaza.
The store started carrying Washington’s colourful line of women’s wear in May and the response, according to store manager Ann-Marie Harris, has been fantastic.
“[The line] started moving very well as soon as it hit,” she explains. “The customers like them. We saw customers pick up two or three pieces at a time.”
Dr Verona Williams, a customer at Lee’s, bought two floral tank tops while we were on the scene.
“They were nice. I tried on two pieces and I’m buying them.”
Williams explains she appreciated the fit of the piece, and the floral designs seemed especially fitting for the upcoming season.
Washington is elated at the feedback he’s got and that the famous Jamaican store has started carrying his collection.
“Since I closed our showroom last year, it’s been a challenge finding outlets to carry our products,” the designer says. “So it feels good.”
Customers can currently find a range of dresses, and casual shirts, skirts, and tanks in colours ranging from simple black and whites to exuberant, summery hues.
Customers can also expect to see an evolving line-up of designs at the store. Washington, winner of the Jamaica Observer Style Awards designer of the year, explains he’s committed to stocking new items to the collection at Lee’s every month.
“When a consumer comes in and experiences an item and loves it,” he says, “she should always come back and see something new.”