Janay Reymond was once a little artist drawing images of other young people dressed up in fashion clothing. Now at 18 she is developing into a highly talented designer with some very marketable swimsuits and evening wear products.

Janay Reymond

“My grandmother [Millie] owned a store when I was small. Growing up among clothing I was always inspired to want to create the designs myself,” she told The Anguillian. She made the statement as she showcased an album filled with beautiful young ladies modelling some of her most attractive creations.

“I am proud of my little sister,” said Jade, her older sibling, who accompanied her to The Anguillian interview. “I just want to help to promote her.”
“Jay,” as the upcoming fashion designer is affectionately called, makes her really well-cut, attractive and multi-coloured swimsuits from a soft, durable and stretchy material called “Spandex”.

“We have different fashion shows here in Anguilla and in other islands and lately I have been part of many of them,” said Jay. As recently as July 29 this year, she was a participant in the Miss Anguilla Swimsuit Competition National Show.

“Feel O’Je” is the catchy name of Jay’s design business. “It means feel of Jay,” she chuckled. “All my friends and my family call me Jay so that’s where it comes from.”

The soft-spoken young designer went on: “I will be having a show in December and after that we plan to put my stuff into the stores, hotels and boutiques.” The Anguillian bets anybody that hers will be best sellers wherever they are marketed.

Jay left Anguilla for St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands on Wednesday. She is among 25 designers selected to participate in the VI Fashion Week there and she will be representing Anguilla. The show, from October 3-8, will attract designers from various parts of the Caribbean.

In addition to showcasing their designs, they will have press conferences and television appearances and Jay is hoping to be of her best performance. She mentioned that another Anguillian clothing designer, Alexis Ryan, will also be at the Fashion Week Show.
Jay is a graduate of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School. Jade, her ever supportive sister, chimed in: “In January she is going off to Holland to study Fashion Management in Amsterdam.”

Jay nodded her confirmation, determined to do well there in her fashion and design studies.

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