Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Left: Unusual material and designs are Empress Iyata's hallmark.   At left:A two-piece number by Empress Iyata. - photos by Andrew Smith/ Photography Editor Far left: Empress Iyata does not leave out the men.

Creativity comes in all forms, but for one struggling designer her creativity is not enough. Patricia 'Empress Iyata' Edwards has been in the business since 1999 and still has not seen the fruits of her labour materialise.

Iyata has created, and is still creating, numerous fashion trends with her unusual yet sexy designs. A former member of 'Whatta Bongoklaat', a fashion group formed by Mama G, Iyata has branched off to jump-start her own career as a fashionista. However, that doesn't mean there is any disagreement between the two. "I'm not working with Mama G anymore, but we're still in close contact. She supports my work. The things I create are different from Mama G's, how I cut them and stuff," Iyata said.

Difference

The difference comes not only in the way Iyata cuts her garments, but also as well as the unusual material she uses. Iyata's speciality is merinos, as well as garments made from crocus bags handkerchiefs and other items not normally associated with clothing. She explains that "I do merinos, I mek panties from handkerchiefs, I mek skirts and blouses from handkerchiefs. Mi use rags that you bathe with and work on it to give it a different flavour."

She sells her line at Papine Market and is a hit with university students. Iyata explains that University of the West Indies (UWI) students give her a lot of support as they enjoy her sexy style.

"Papine Market is slow. The type of people buy it are UWI students. I can count on them. Sometimes I go to campus and sell at Mary Seacole. Di students have a lovely time wid it. It's appropriate for them; it's revealing but not naked," Iyata says.

She claims the designs are representative of her eclectic personality, and each item is branded with some aspect of Jamaican culture, although not all her designs are appreciated at the time she puts them out.

"The fashion with the knitting around the arms of the merinos and the bottom, I endorsed that back in the '90s and it didn't take, but now everyone is in it. Now I'm endorsing a 'dollar line', clothes with the old one and two dollars on it, 'cause kids born now don't even know what they look like," Iyata said.

Iyata has had her mishaps but is determined not to give up, knowing that she has the potential to make it big. All she needs is a little push. "Further on in life, I hope someone will give me a helping hand," Empress Iyata said.