Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

Models Stacyann Gordon (left) and Trissan Holder (right) flank designer Judith Duncan of Blaazin Designs. - contributed photos

After designing for just over a year, designer Judith Duncan has already earned a spot to show her pieces at Style Week Jamaica this month.

She started her collection, Blaazin Designs, last year after she was unable to find a swimsuit that was perfect for her.

"I started last February, 'cause I went to a store to buy a swimsuit and I couldn't find anything that suited me, so I went home and started designing," she said.

With no prior training or designing experiences, Duncan started to design and showed the pieces to friends and relatives who encouraged her to pursue designing.

She said she went to someone with the designs but he did not sew the swimsuits how she wanted them. Though she was not pleased with the end result of her designs, she was watching him keenly to see how he sewed.

The basics she learnt from him was not enough so she went to Kajú Fashions, where she learnt cutting basics, even though she did not complete the course. She now applies this basic cutting style to all her designs.

Sourcing sewing machines

The first time she sewed one of her pieces by herself was in March, two weeks before Saint International's Fashion Face of the Caribbean. However, she is still trying to source sewing machines.

Duncan designs swimsuits but with unusual cuts. So far, her designs have been sold at Carby's, stores in Negril and Ocho Rios and she is registered to supply Sandals.

"Age group doesn't matter. It depends on what the client wants. Some want more covered stuff and some want more exposure," said Duncan, who does most of her designing from her home in Havendale, Kingston.

Stacyann Anderson wearing Blaazin Designs