Andrew Chuck enters luxury resort wear market with DesignsByDru's Gemma the Collection

Not everyone pursues their true calling. But trendsetting designer Andrew Chuck saw it fit to explore the construct in which fabric moves and shapes our lives, taking his journey full circle with Gemma the Collection.

"What I love the most about Gemma the Collection is being able to reimagine the purpose of gemstones by its process of absorbing negative energy and releasing positive energy. I believe us as humans should practise to live so we can progress in our lives. Being able to protect our energy and re-channel any negative energy into something positive is a good feeling," the designer told The Sunday Gleaner.

Born in Jamaica, Chuck recalled being fascinated with the art form as a child. "I used to design and style outfits for my sister's Barbies. And other times, I used to sketch outfits just for fun. Art and design were always a form of escapism for me," he explained. As a teen, he migrated to the United States, taking along with him his unique flavour for vibrant and groundbreaking fashion. He later found his way to creating carnival costumes, and it was there that his passion for designing not only came alive; it thrived.

His costume designs and feather work, intricate, articulate and glamorous in creation, were featured in some of the largest long-standing bands in Miami and the wider USA, The Bahamas, St Croix, Canada and in his home country, Jamaica. But with the global pandemic hovering a dark cloud over the radiant festivities, the designer saw the life he once had and enjoyed crumbling right before his eyes. "My life was all over the place, I lost my nine-to-five job, went through the most uncomfortable two years of a global pandemic, my relationships were falling apart, carnival had not happened in two years, and I was just over it all." So, he decided to take a trip home in the summer of 2021 for relaxation, decompression and reconnection with his family. He also remained open to any possibilities that would come his way.

While home, the Chinese-descent Jamaican designer began making deeper connections with his spirituality. This segued into an awakening season of reading and learning more about gemstones and what they represented. "There were four stones and colours that I could not get out of my mind that resonated with me during that time; rose quartz, black onyx, agate and jade; jade especially, which is always in every Chinese household." On these refreshing and inspiring shores, Chuck shifted style gears to incorporate his discoveries into creating his first-ever luxury swimwear collection.

Hitting the runway for the resort and swimwear line are the Jade monokini, Agate monokini, Black Onyx monokini, Rose quartz monokini, Agate fluff bikini, Black Onyx fluff monokini, Jade bikini, Rose quartz bikini and Tourmaline cover-up. Delivered out of a labour of love, frustration, production, purpose, beauty and reclamation, Gemma, Latin for gemstones, pays homage to his roots. "It's been a very fulfilling journey so far. I now feel more connected to myself and confident in stepping outside of the box and showing my talent for fashion and design unapologetically. The fact that I was able to work with a full-Jamaican cast and crew and have all my pieces made in Jamaica, was the cherry on top. I got to learn the ins and outs of how designers do it in Jamaica, and I can tell you that it is not easy but also not impossible, and I'm a true testimony of that. The talent is definitely there," he said.

Admitting that he was always interested in pursuing swimwear, since the interest is sparked by a similar approach to designing carnival bodywear, the transition made sense, given the current COVID climate, "I hope to inspire confidence in all types of women, regardless of shape or size. When you wear DesignsbyDru, you are secured, confident and rooted in who you are entirely."

Shop the full collection at www . designsbydru .co or follow Chuck's beautiful work on Instagram : @ designsbydru for more information.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com

CREDITS

Designer: Designs By Dru

Creative Direction: Yemi MacGregor

Co-Creative Direction: Andrew Chuck (DesignsByDru)

Computer Generated Imagery: Kavouhn Lewars-Smith

Director of Photography: Aaron Dabee

Post Edit: Aaron Dabee

Stylist/Wardrobe: FlowerChild 1999// Kaysian Bourke

Make-up and hair: Tonisha Kong

Models: Kerry-Ann Bryan, Gabrielle Davis, Tonisha Kong, Royanne Wright

Editor's Note: A previous version of this story gave the designer's name as Andrew Chung. His correct name is Andrew Chuck. We regret the error.