The Butterfly, one of Siim's designs. - Contributed Photo AN ARCHITECT who 'mek' clothes. Many have reacted with incredulty to this unusual combination of talents, but Simone Clarke (Siim) believes that her designs 'tropical couture' exemplifies her scope and skill as both fashion designer and architect.
Clarke began life thirty- one years ago as one of two children for her parents Emma and Michael Clarke (now deceased). Skip to 1995, when Siim completed her five-year course of study leading up to her degree in Architecture in Canada. Upon returning to Jamaica, Clarke was met with the stark realisation that there was limited scope for her skill as an architect here.
As a testament to her determination, she nonetheless attempted to find meaningfull work as an architect and to her credit, is the Brinks building on South Camp Road.
Regular work was, however, not forthcoming and Siim found her talents languishing. "Architecture utilises you completely, to come back and not find myself used it was really, really hard," she says. This led her on a journey across the world where ironically she found a major deficiency in the Jamaican fashion market of clothes that were 'convertible' and appropriate for travel. "I used to carry a small bag and found myself wearing the same thing over and over and wishing that I had better quality clothes. I thought it would be nice to have clothes that are comfortable, light, easy to care, looks good regardless of whatever, things that you can just collapse," she says. Necessity being the mother of invention, Siim set out to create clothes that are ideal for the traveller, clothes that could be redesigned and worn on different occasions. And so three years ago, after her return to Jamaica from travels abroad, Siim, with the encouragement of family and friends, decided to pursue a career in fasion designing. Kenneth Edgar (make-up artist) brought up the idea to go into Caribbean Fashion Week. By that time, Siim had already started designing and had a small collection of garments to showcase. The rest, as they say, is history.
Though a young designer, the quality of Siim's designs are on par with, or even exceeds that of other seasoned designers and though she has not worked for any of Jamaica's local celebrities, enjoys the recognition and acclaim of the most respected designers in the industry. She has appeared on Caribbean Fashion Week since 2001, and is now part of the committee which plans the event. Undoubtedly, the creative energy and talent is hers, but Siim is quick to attribute her present level of success to her mother's influence. "Nothing that I have done would be possible without my mother," she says.
But designing is not just about making beautiful clothes, as like many other local designers, Siim faces the problem of getting money to finance her projects. Her first show held in January this year at the Bellevue Great House in Kingston was, she says, a "huge financial loss,...in the hundred thousands." She says she has had to use her own savings along with help from her mother to finance her projects. "The amount of things I have to do outside of designing to pay my rent it's, it's ..." she trails off, too overcome, it seems, to continue.
Siim describes her designs as "tropical, neither casual nor semi-formal, but can be either". She says she designs typically for the "young socialite" but emphasises "I make clothes for people who enjoys wearing clothes." The cost for one of Siim's designs range from between US$60 for the popular 'butterfly' designs, and $2,700 for a pants to $25,000 for an evening gown.
QUESTIONS WITH SIIM:
Person you would like to dress whom you haven't already: "Sade (singer/musician), I respect her as a musician, I think she could wear my stuff well; and Grace Jones she'd be fun to dress."
Man/woman with the best style: "Gwen Stephanie, she is never tasteless, and Colin Hylton, he is always well dressed."
Favourite fashion moment: "Jean Paul Gautier on the red carpet wearing a 'Hair Skirt'."
Designer who most inspires you: "Issey Miyake. He is not accepting of the limits of what is generally set out to be fashion."
