Are You Ready for Dancehall?

Hold on to your hat, then take a peek at what Jamaica's youngsters are wearing on the dance hall scene. Exclusive pictures by Steve Cohn

  • Lycra bell bottom trousers and midriff top with flounced sleeves in chiffon. Photograph by Steve Cohn
  • Organza embroidery sarong wrap skirt and top with velvet scrunch hat. Photograph by Steve Cohn
  • A Biggy special: bra top and bottoms made from blonde wigs. Photograph by Steve Cohn
  • Leather and plaid trousers with leather vest. Photograph by Steve Cohn
  • Lace and raffia bell bottoms with ruffle blouse. Photograph by Steve Cohn
  • Draped silk chiffon with linen short skirt. Photograph by Steve Cohn
  • Raime twill bell bottoms with peek-a-boo jacket. In the background, mesh shorts with linen tunic and polka dot dolly dress. Photograph by Steve Cohn
  • Stripe knit tubular pieces. Photograph by Steve Cohn

In Jamaica, anybody who’s seriously into fashion and style has been into dance hall, the style that has spread far beyond the night-clubs where it was developed. One place to go is the New Cactus

Night Club in Portmore Plaza, opened in July last year, and the man to reckon with is Earl “Biggy”

Turner, who has an l eye for the truly unique and has dressed everyone from Shabba Ranks and Buju

Banton to Queen Latifah and Maxi Priest; his motto is ”The World will Never Be The Same”, Biggy’s lines include “original African pieces, wild but classical European designs, executive wear and the most sexy dance hall outfits,” He says he does not make X-rated outfits as he would not have his lady dressed in one beside him.

Photography: Steven B. Cohn

Models: Elecia Walters, Sharon Sennior, Keecha Gooch-Summons

Stylist: Michelle Haynes

Designer: Earl “Biggy” Turner; fashions available at Biggy’s Exclusive Designs, 6-8 Bronstorph Square, Kingston 20 (809-931-1637)

Location: New Cactus Night Club, Portmore Plaza, Portmore

Funding provided by the 11th EDF Regional Private Sector Development Programme Direct Support Grants Programme.
The views expressed on this website are those of the the authors and do not reflect those of the Direct Support Grants Programme.

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