Bridget Sandals…
it's all about the feet!

Listen, you don't have to have a foot fetish to be in love with your feet. Thanks to footwear like Bridget Sandals, it's even easier to fall in love again and again every time you slip on a pair of her stylish sandals and step out with confidence.

A popular quote speaks to a woman being able to conquer the world once she is equipped with the right pair of shoes. This aptly describes the impact of one woman's creativity and determination. The sharp mind, nimble fingers and forward thinking of Bridget Marie Brown has landed her in a career that spans more than two decades and stands as testament to the indomitable spirit of Jamaican women.

Her brand is synonymous with style, durability and panache. She has conquered markets in North America, the Caribbean and Europe and is currently eyeing Asia. Indeed, to own a pair is to have a tiny piece of the woman, whose work is as much a fashion statement as it is a way of life.

Never a fan of public attention and the media spotlight, it's Bridget preference to allow her son Jonathan Buchanan to liaise with the press. He is the company's CEO and a real chip off the block. Having been reared in the business, he speaks authoritatively of the Bridget Sandals phenomenon, which has captivated Jamaican.

To read more pick up your copy at the nearest bookstore

Ranx Wear – “Accept Nothing Less”

“In everything I do, I try to reflect Jamaica in it,” says Alphonso Johnson, CEO/managing director of Ranx Wear Clothing Company, which offers the ultimate in authentic Jamaican wear.

“The messages I print on my shirts speak to the good and bad moments in our history,” he continues. “We may not want to remember the tragedies, for example, Hurricane Gilbert, but they are a part of us and they have helped to shape us. I guess it is the student and avid reader in me that makes me want to teach people through the messages on these shirts.”

Alphonso not only designs, creates and prints the clothing line, but also tends to the marketing and distribution as well. It’s a very time consuming job that he manages to balance with his full-time job at the Ministry of Health as a peer educator. Most of the clothes are manufactured from cool, light cotton material that is locally bought and sewn right here by seamstresses who make up a part of the chain of workers that Alphonso patronises.

“It’s all about empowering other people so they can earn too,” he says.

Most of the garments are done in the traditional “Jamaican” colours – black, green, gold and red, but are not restricted to these. They all bear the company name and logo – “Ranx wear, Accept Nothing Less” - with the R in Ranx turned backwards.

To read more pick up your copy at the nearest bookstore

Hairstyles For Different Occasions.

- A look at the hair considerations for the world of work and formal occasions

Grooming for success:

So you have that "all important" job interview coming up, but how do you prepare your hair ahead of this interview? How will you know just what styles will be appropriate for the work place?

-Research the appearance standard for the industry or job being applied for. Depending on the industry or job, a look may or may not give you an edge on the competition. (Keep in mind that Bankers & Brokers do not wear the styles typical in the entertainment fraternity).

-For the work place, your hair should not be a fashion focal point. Hairstyles chosen should compliment, not dominate!

-Do not get tied up with elaborate hair accessories. Bows say "little girl", but small hair clips are acceptable.

-Colour although acceptable, should be applicable to your industry. Streaks and highlights should for the most part be fairly conservative, and must be done by a professional. Natural hair colour, skin tones, and eye colour are all taken into consideration when choosing hair colour.

To read more pick up your copy at the nearest bookstore