Jamaica’s New Wave
Posted by models.com | June 4th, 2015
Jamaica’s New Wave
Models.com and the casting division at Prod’n went south to take stock of Jamaica’s new wave of models ready for the runways from current in-demand newcomers like Kai Newman and Tami Williams to freshly discovered faces ready for their international debuts. Putting the vacation destination aside, scouting in the tropics should be at the top of the industry’s to-do list. Their destination island-homeland isn’t the only thing brimming with natural beauty: easygoing with permanently unbuttoned attitudes, the promising new class from Jamaica is unmistakably distinct. These models bring a much-needed piquant to the phrase easy on the eye. Check them out below.
A collaboration between PRODn Casting and Models.com
Photography: Kait Robinson + Larissa Gunn
Film: Kait Robinson
Concept & Casting: Larissa Gunn
TAMI WILLIAMS
Tami Williams – Saint International Jamaica/ Elite New York/Storm (London)/Elite Paris/Why Not (Milan)
Age: 16
Height: 5’11″
Hometown: Kingston, St. Andrew, Jamaica
Ethnic origin: Unknown African, Indian
Age: 16
Height: 5’11″
Hometown: Kingston, St. Andrew, Jamaica
Ethnic origin: Unknown African, Indian
TAJAI MACPHERSON
Tajai Macpherson – Saint International Jamaica
Age: 17
Height: 5’11″
Hometown: Bull Bay, St. Thomas, Jamaica
Ethnic origin: Unknown African, plus other unknown origins
Age: 17
Height: 5’11″
Hometown: Bull Bay, St. Thomas, Jamaica
Ethnic origin: Unknown African, plus other unknown origins
SHAN GUYHER
Shan Guyher – Saint International Jamaica/One (New York)
Age: 20
Height: 5’10″
Hometown: Kingston, St. Andrew, Jamaica
Ethnic origin: Indian
Age: 20
Height: 5’10″
Hometown: Kingston, St. Andrew, Jamaica
Ethnic origin: Indian
MARIO FEURTADO
Mario Feurtado – Saint International Jamaica
Age: 22
Height: 6′
Hometown: Kingston, St. Andrew, Jamaica
Ethnic origin: Chinese, Portuguese, ‘Hispanic’ (Central American)
Age: 22
Height: 6′
Hometown: Kingston, St. Andrew, Jamaica
Ethnic origin: Chinese, Portuguese, ‘Hispanic’ (Central American)
KAI NEWMAN
Kai Newman – Saint International Jamaica/Elite (New York)/Why Not (Milan)/Premier (London)/Elite (Paris)
Age: 17
Height: 5’10″
Hometown: Kingston, St. Andrew, Jamaica
Ethnic origin: Unknown African, plus other unknown origins
Age: 17
Height: 5’10″
Hometown: Kingston, St. Andrew, Jamaica
Ethnic origin: Unknown African, plus other unknown origins
GARRAINE VINES
Garraine Vines – Saint International Jamaica
Age: 21
Height: 6’2″
Hometown: Kingston, St. Andrew, Jamaica
Ethnic origin: Unknown African, English
Age: 21
Height: 6’2″
Hometown: Kingston, St. Andrew, Jamaica
Ethnic origin: Unknown African, English
DELROY STEWART
Delroy Stewart – Saint International Jamaica
Age: 22
Height: 6’3″
Hometown: Waterford, St. Catherine, Jamaica
Ethnic origin: Maroon (Free African communities in the mountains of Jamaica during the period of slavery, many were escaped slaves.)
Age: 22
Height: 6’3″
Hometown: Waterford, St. Catherine, Jamaica
Ethnic origin: Maroon (Free African communities in the mountains of Jamaica during the period of slavery, many were escaped slaves.)
BRANDON BAILEY
Brandon Bailey – Saint International Jamaica/New Madison (Paris)
Age: 20
Height: 6’2″
Hometown: Portmore, St. Catherine, Jamaica
Ethnic origin: Unknown African, Irish, German
Age: 20
Height: 6’2″
Hometown: Portmore, St. Catherine, Jamaica
Ethnic origin: Unknown African, Irish, German
BRAD ALLEN
Brad Allen – Saint International Jamaica/DNA (New York)
Age: 21
Height: 6’3″
Hometown: Kingston, St. Andrew, Jamaica
Ethnic origin: Unknown African, Korean
Age: 21
Height: 6’3″
Hometown: Kingston, St. Andrew, Jamaica
Ethnic origin: Unknown African, Korean
ANEITA MOORE
Aneita Moore – Saint International Jamaica/Fusion (New York)/Models 1 (London)/Premium (Paris)
Age: 20
Height: 5’11.5″
Hometown: Port Antonio, Portland, Jamaica
Ethnic origin: Maroon, plus other unknown origins
Age: 20
Height: 5’11.5″
Hometown: Port Antonio, Portland, Jamaica
Ethnic origin: Maroon, plus other unknown origins
ANDRE DOYLEY
Andre Doyley – Saint International Jamaica
Age: 22
Height: 6’2″
Hometown: Savanna-La-Mar, Westmoreland, Jamaica
Age: 22
Height: 6’2″
Hometown: Savanna-La-Mar, Westmoreland, Jamaica
ALEXION MCDONALD
Alexion McDonald – Saint International Jamaica/Next (New York)
Age: 16
Height: 5’10″
Hometown: Kingston, St. Andrew, Jamaica
Ethnic origin: Unknown African, plus other unknown origins
Age: 16
Height: 5’10″
Hometown: Kingston, St. Andrew, Jamaica
Ethnic origin: Unknown African, plus other unknown origins
For more Jamaica images also visit the ProdN casting instagram
I love this!! =)
Very interesting, there are a lot of interesting models in this country, Jamaica. This is better than, Russia, Poland, Spain, EE.UU, Canada, India, Japan, together.
BOOP BOOP BOOP *raises gun fingers in the air* haha
“Out of many, one people” is Jamaica’s motto and it is shown through the great faces in Jamaica. Although the foundation and majority of the population are/identify as black. Immigration from the Asia, including China and India, mixing with the native Caribs as well as the unfortunate case of slavery has given Jamaican civilians (as well as the rest of Caribbean, look at Trinidad and Guyana for example. So many mixed black and South Asian!) varied looks from one foundation – beautiful African woman. Always a joy to see what this island of beauty offers!
So many cool new faces! Love them all!
Question/s: Why were their ethnic origins important to note? Are we acquiescing or legitimising here? The demonym Jamaican wasn’t enough? Our motto: Out of Many, One People, gave no clue? But no. Here they are, ethno-racially dissected like molecules in a petri dish, indexed as one would specimen in a lab, or the Musee du Quai Branly. And I quote: ‘Unknown African, plus other unknown origins.’ Really Models.com?!
Furthermore, how is ‘Maroon’ an ethnic origin? In the same way that being Jamaican is inadequate – where you had to seek ‘real origins’ – you do know that the word Maroon simply describes/described a group of African runaway slaves? So your technicality would have them being ‘Unknown Africans’ too. No?
That being said (and off my chest), loving Aneita’s new look. She looks refreshed! She is gorgeous in print and on film, plus those limbs go on and on. Brandon is beguiling. He’ll definitely charm the French seeing that he ‘knows’ the language. At least I hope he does. And those eyes! Kai is such a sweetheart. I find her presence is similar to that of an 80s/90s supermodel (Kiara, Nicola Vassell anyone?). Finally, I see Alexion being the next high fashion androgyne à la Binx/Omahyra. Especially looking forward to her development.
Hi Ryostylin,
We can absolutely understand your point of view and apologize if our intention was confusing. Race/ethnicity is definitely an extremely sensitive topic that can be interpreted a myriad of ways.
To answer your questions:
Including the models’ ethnic origin was actually for the purpose of highlighting the fact that Jamaica is extremely diverse which not many people know; it is a true melting pot which is part of what makes it such a special place and rich in culture. While you and I know that the Jamaican national motto is ‘Out of many, One People’, it is not common knowledge.
In terms of wording, when interviewing the models, no one knew specifically where in Africa their family was from and we find it potentially offensive to use the blanket term ‘African’ when Africa itself is a huge continent with many diverse areas, hence ‘unknown African’.
Lastly, there actually is a description of what ‘Maroon’ means within Delroy Stewart’s post, and we thought it best to include the models’ family history and ethnic origin in their own words.
We hope this clarifies any questions you may have had. Again, we never intended to offend anyone, our purpose was to celebrate the diverse beauty of Jamaica and the Jamaican people. Coco has the right idea!
Mostly i love Alexion McDonald, shes so beautiful and seems to be very sweet!
I love only Kai Newman and Brad, wow.
I love Tajai, true diversity.
Kai and Tami and Brad…already established and beautiful. I like Andre and Brandon Delroy and Alexion. All Jamaican no need for the ethnic origins .