Keisha Shakespeare-Blackmore, Staff Reporter

- photos by Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer

When other children were playing bat and ball, Bill Edwards was sewing clothes. It is, therefore, not surprising that he is now Jamaica's top designer of first rate men's clothing.

Now in his early 40s, Edwards began his journey as a designer at age 12. At the time, he lived on Shortwood Road near a tailor shop. He spent his free time at the tailor shop watching the men sew and it did not take long for the fashion bug to bite him and he decided he wanted to sew. In the evenings after school (Shortwood Practising), he did odd jobs at the shop. But by the summer of 1977, he was promoted to ironing, putting in zippers and making alterations. He was a quick learner and yearned to do more. His opportunity came when his niece had a get together to attend.

"I told my sister (Ruth Edwards), I would make an outfit for my six-year-old niece Keisha Moore. I cut and sew the outfit for her and all the guys were amazed," he said.

Natural Knack

Edwards also had a natural knack for sewing and entrepreneurship and used his earnings from his job to buy a sewing machine and began sewing on his veranda. In his early teens, he attended St. Andrew Technical High School (STATS). By day, he attended classes and in the evenings, it was off to his job at the tailor shop to hone his craft.

"I made clothes for my classmates, teachers, even the principal, Isaac Henry (now deceased). I never had the life of a child because when others were playing, I was working." He compares his childhood to pop icon Michael Jackson - but but in a different form.

At one point during high school, he stopped because, at the time, many people disdained it. After high school in 1983, he got a job as a manager at Rapid Auto Supplies. While there, he met a young lady who is now his ex-wife who also happened to be a designer. He told her that he also sews and designs. He resumed his true love again in 1988. By 1993, he had a clothing line branded IKI with the tag line: 'clothes that leave the mark on you'. He supplied Lee's Fifth Avenue clothing store where they initially took a maximum of 12 shirts at a time but they sold 'like hot bread'.

Bright future

This red and white Italian linen outfit from Bill Edwards Basix line is absolutely classy.

With his bright future in view, owner of Lee's Fifth Avenue, Lee Issa, called him into a meeting. "He told me that I was doing well so why don't I try to get the products more professional done by adding proper labels and packaging."

Edwards took Mr. Issa's advice and the Bill Edwards brand was born in 1997. Currently, his clothing is available in: Lee's fifth Avenue, Collectibles, Lloyd's of Montego Bay and Lord and Lady, as well as hotels such as: Ritz Carlton Rose Hall, Half Moon, Hedonism, SuperClubs and the Sandals chain, both on the island and abroad. His line is also available in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Barbados, Antigua, St. Lucia and The Bahamas.

The Bill Edwards brand features 100 per cent Italian linen outfits that cater mainly to men, but he also has a female line. There is casual wear for middle-aged men, the basix line geared at younger men and the limited edition which is a one-of-a-kind outfit. And coming soon is a children's line.

He told Flair that the most challenging aspect of the job is the workers' attitude. However, he tries not to dwell on it too much because he knows there will be hiccups, so he just tries to overcome them. "I cannot complain much, especially when it comes to incentives, because organisations such as Private Sector Development Project assist me in many ways and I am grateful."

Edwards said the most fulfilling part of his career is to have bought the building from which he now operates. And what gives him fulfilment is to see people wearing the Bill Edwards label.

For him, the sky is the limit and there is no limit to Bill Edwards. He also believes in moving in stages. "I don't make predications, it is one step at a time. What we do best is manufacture quality clothing. I believe if you put in work then the end result will be positive."

Earth tones are definitely in and Pulse model Alvin Larman wears this 100 per cent Italian linen outfit - a yellow and brown shirt with a brown draw-string pants - from the Bill Edward Basix line, in style.

Pulse model David Fletcher wears a green embroidered linen shirt with a fitted jeans from the Bill Edwards Basix line.

Bill Edwards' designs are sold locally and internationally, putting Jamaican designs on the map.