A Jamaican Christmas

THE WEEKLY GLEANER | DECEMBER 10 - DECEM BER 16, 2020 | www.ja maica-gleaner.com | I39 Aubrey Campbell/Gleaner Writer NEW YORK, NY: T AMAR FRAY has always been complimented on her personality. Part of that eye-catching, head-turning persona had to do with her taste for style and fashion. So, it was just a matter of time after moving from Jamaica nearly two decades ago and settling down in New York City, of all the places in America, that she would be called to the cutting board. “I got this bright idea to start my own clothing (brand) line while driv- ing with my daughter to do some shopping at the Roosevelt Field Mall, Long Island, about three years ago”. Having worked in two service-based industries in Jamaica and here in the USA, she says making the switch from hospitality and healthcare, in that order, to fashion designing, was a no-brainer! “Folks are al- ways compliment- ing me on my ensemble, whether at work in my uniform, in a social, semi-for- ma l o r formal setting, a nd I thought to myself, why not share the love by creat- ing my own brand”? Tamar, hello. We are in a pandemic! “Yes, I know. These are challenging times for everyone, but at the same time, people will still feel the need to wear quality clothes to make them look and feel better about themselves,” she said, in between discussing an order with a client over the phone. She says the name, ‘Castle The Collection’ came during a brain-storming session while on a shopping excursion to the mall. Along the way, she was inspired by some of the castle-esque buildings and designs. She is phasing in the operation. Castle The Collection now has hats, men’s boxers, hoodies, tees, shirts and an assortment of head gear, featuring some fine creations for the winter season. The collection may be viewed on the online show room at www.CastleTheCollection. com . Tamar is hoping that her eye-catching designs and reasonable pricing, will keep the orders coming at a time when the shopping expe- rience is being re-imagined. To help manage the fledgling busi- ness, Tamar has surrounded herself with a small team, including a graphic designer, a printer and a financial adviser, as she seeks to establish a branded footprint on the small/minority/woman- owned business landscape. Designer Tamar brings a new fashion sense to NYC FASHIONABLE FRAY. Tamar wears one of her designs at a fashion fete in NY, earlier this year. CONTRIBUTED CHRISTMAS FEATURE THE WEEKLY GLEANER | DECEMBER 10, 2020 - JANUA Y 9, 2021 | www.jamaica-gleaner.co | CHRISTMAS FEATURE