Contributed
Beyoncé wears this b. michael design as part of her upcoming CD promotion.

Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

Sophisticated and elegant designs from the New York-based b. michael Designs will grace the stage of Style Week Jamaica, to be held from May 22-26 this year.

Style Week Jamaica will be opened with their designs. Their pieces will also be featured on two other nights of the event. It will also be the platform from which their newest men's collection will be launched.

Resort collection

Chief executive officer for the b. michael Corporation, Dr Neil Lowe, says they have created a resort collection for men and women that was designed for the purposes of the show.

"They are classic, sophisticated and elegant designs for men and women. It will be fabulous and we will also be showing some of our vintage pieces," he said.

He added, "We will continue to raise the bar and provide a standard for the talent in Jamaica to continue to grow. Raw talent is naturally there (Jamaica), so we hope to help to grow that."

Though it is a resort collection it will still be high-end fashion as b. michael is still a couture house.

"Our resort collection is suited for sophisticated women in Jamaica and the Caribbean," said Lowe.

This resort collection is a first for b. michael, as they are known for strictly haute couture designs.

According to Lowe, many of their designs are worn by their clients at major social events in and across Europe, United States and Asia.

Dressing stars

He says many of their pieces have been worn by celebrities at the Oscars and Grammy Awards.

b. michael also dressed Cicely Tyson for Oprah's 'Legends Ball' and Beyoncé Knowles for her upcoming CD promotion.

Halle Berry, Cate Blanchett, Nancy Wilson and Lena Horne have also been photographed in b. michael Designs.

In addition, b. michael did wardrobe design for the movie Madea's Family Reunion and the first season of the television series Ugly Betty.

Lowe, who is Jamaican born, returned to the island because he wanted to relax. It was while here that he found out about the annual fashion event.

"I came down in 2007 to take a break and heard about Fashion Block. I had no expectations and I didn't know what it was about. It was one of the most amazing productions I have seen in some time," Lowe said.

Point of reference

He said he spent some time with Deiwight Peters, Saint International CEO, after the event to get more information about Saint and fashion in Jamaica.

"Deiwight is a pioneer in Jamaica's fashion industry. I was impressed to the point where I thought it was something that need to be supported," said Lowe. "I expect people to turn out. I expect to work with amazing and beautiful models from Saint. I expect to have a wonderful time."

Peters also has high praises for b. michael Designs and is "extremely excited" that their designs will be featured at the show.

"One of the reasons we have international designers is to get an international point of reference for our local designers," said Peters.