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Lashana Lynch celebrates Jamaica in Vivienne Westwood couture at Bond première

Published:Thursday | September 30, 2021 | 12:58 AMDebra Edwards/Assistant Online and Lifestyle Editor -
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Lashana Lynch paid homage to her Jamaican roots and the birth place of James Bond in Vivienne Westwood couture at the world premeire of 'No Time to Die' in London on Tuesday.
AP
Lashana Lynch paid homage to her Jamaican roots and the birth place of James Bond in Vivienne Westwood couture at the world premeire of 'No Time to Die' in London on Tuesday.
The gown, which elegantly features the colours of the Jamaican flag, includes an embroidered doctor bird — the island's national bird — on its skirt.
AP
The gown, which elegantly features the colours of the Jamaican flag, includes an embroidered doctor bird — the island's national bird — on its skirt.
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As a homage to her Jamaican roots, No Time To Die actress Lashana Lynch had jaws dropping in a stunning couture creation by Vivienne Westwood that elegantly featured the colours of the Jamaican flag, complete with an embroidered doctor bird at the Royal Albert Hall première on Tuesday night.

The 007 actress captivated the red carpet as her silky melanin perfectly complemented the gold of her dress. In an Instagram post, Lynch shared, “There’s this one specific ancestor holding my face throughout this experience. Her energy is regal and radical, yet unpredictable and mysterious. I’ve learned from her that, having been on this earth before, I have a responsibility to choose everything that I am. The balance is what’s made me choose this moment.

“Breathe it in, stand on my square and take it. From this place, I saw my inner child, women I was raised with, prayers, love and, at the core, Jamaica. Thank you, ancestors, for passing down your loud and unshakable gut that leads me to decisions like this. Jamaica runs both through my veins and the James Bond Franchise.”

Expressing gratitude to her stylist Karla Welch and designer Vivienne Westwood, she continued, “thank you for giving me the space to celebrate being a London born Jamaican in the most eloquent way. Discussing how to encapsulate the islands beauty through fashion has been the most incredible experience. Seeing the flags colours and Doctor Bird glow on our No Time To Die red carpet… There are still no words. Well, one… Legacy.”

The James Bond franchise was born in Jamaica. Oracabessa, St Mary to be exact, where author and 007 creator Ian Fleming was enchanted by the island and penned his novels while living there.

Lynch’s gown fashionably exhibited that while the James Bond franchise has grown leaps and bounds from its origin, its roots and Lynch’s ancestors are fondly remembered and have No Time To Die.

debra.edwards@gleanerjm.com