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Katrina Grant D’Aguilar’s classic style

Trendsetter talks closet essentials, special 40th birthday shoot

Published:Friday | October 7, 2022 | 12:05 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
Katrina Grant D’Aguilar showcases her fabulous kimono set, ideal for a road trip or staycation, with the visual assistance of photographer Javel Graham.
Katrina Grant D’Aguilar showcases her fabulous kimono set, ideal for a road trip or staycation, with the visual assistance of photographer Javel Graham.
Right: The sophisticated 40th celebrations included the incorporation of a white skirt set with hat, photographed by Adrian Smith. ‘The white represents the favour that God continues to extend to me every single day. The clean canvas that He gives us eve
Right: The sophisticated 40th celebrations included the incorporation of a white skirt set with hat, photographed by Adrian Smith. ‘The white represents the favour that God continues to extend to me every single day. The clean canvas that He gives us every time we falter and ask for His forgiveness,’ Katrina Grant D’Aguilar told Living.
Forty has never looked this fabulous! Photographer Andre Whitehead was honoured to capture the former festival queen in an exquisite form-fitting white dress with embellishments and an accompanying train.
Forty has never looked this fabulous! Photographer Andre Whitehead was honoured to capture the former festival queen in an exquisite form-fitting white dress with embellishments and an accompanying train.
Mesmerising in radiant yellow, Grant D’Aguilar says the colour is bold, exciting and awakening. Merrick Cousley snapped this angelic fountain of youth.
Mesmerising in radiant yellow, Grant D’Aguilar says the colour is bold, exciting and awakening. Merrick Cousley snapped this angelic fountain of youth.
She’s royal: D’Aguilar and horse Spirit are giving regal flair as she stands boldly and proudly in the stunning mermaid cut dress to commemorate her 40th birthday.
She’s royal: D’Aguilar and horse Spirit are giving regal flair as she stands boldly and proudly in the stunning mermaid cut dress to commemorate her 40th birthday.
The combination of orange and print is the best of both worlds on fantastic display for the public speaker. Richard Dean Photography snapped this pic.
The combination of orange and print is the best of both worlds on fantastic display for the public speaker. Richard Dean Photography snapped this pic.
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“Fashion is like a canvas that allows me to paint all the masterpieces I want without asking anyone’s permission.” Echoing this beautiful sentiment is Katrina Grant D’Aguilar, who also believes that style is an avenue for self-expression, the highs, lows and every emotion in between. This trendsetter recently celebrated her 40th birthday with a favoured, fierce and fabulous photo shoot.

“This shoot was styled by a creative Jamaican stylist Shantal Mendez of styledbylumarve. Shantal met with me, and I gave her my life story in summary and how I want it to be depicted in my pieces. Highlighting my growth over the years and my season of blooming, with pieces from Thaelia McZenna, the concept of this shoot was to celebrate a great milestone of four perfect 10s,” she told Living.

A queen is always a queen, and the Ms Jamaica Festival Queen 2008 said it was important to remember that a queen doesn’t expire; she sets trends and sets the world on fire. “There will always be a touch of class in all my pieces and how I show up. I have admired a range of women in pageantry and their styles. Lisa Hanna’s sense of style is a masterclass always in session. I also love Mrs Dorrett Thaxter; she was my festival queen coordinator during my reign as national queen. When she shows up in a room, you cannot ignore her presence even if you tried,” the business relationship executive said.

Growing up in Grange Hill, Westmoreland, Grant D’Aguilar explained that having style was always essential to her life but having limited options early on made learning how to dress and feel confident a survival mechanism. “I enjoyed mixing and matching outfits, and I have always dreamed of one day owning a wardrobe that would truly allow me to express my creativity and individuality,” she said, adding that the dream has become a stunning reality.

A fun way she mixes things up is by blending vintage and new-age fashion because she believes there is a place for both. “There is this fire that blazes inside of me when I am wearing prints. I have a colourful personality. I consider myself to be a force of light. And sometimes, when this world gets dark and cold, I choose to be bold in how I show up,” the public speaker shared.

As far as style consultancy goes, Grant D’Aguilar seeks the expertise of fashion designer Thaelia McZenna.

“Currently, I work with Thaelia McZenna. She is the creative behind most of my statement pieces for the past five years. I enjoy working with her because she has a great understanding of my personality and sense of style. She knows and respects that I believe that there is a connection between my style choices and my inner self,” the fashionista revealed.

Aside from prints, Grant D’Aguilar loves sunflower yellow and other bold colours like orange. “I believe that there is a strong connection between how we dress and how we feel deeply inside.

“Sunflower yellow makes me feel bold, alive, fierce, fearless, free and at peace. When I am down or having a really bad day, I glow up and show up. Bam! Hello yellow. It reminds me that no matter what, the sun will shine again.”

But wait, there’s more. Her closet essentials also include a classy black dress; blazers, which accentuates an outfit; floral dresses; a classy white pants suit; chic pair of blue jeans and a fabulously colourful kimono set.

If she could tell the younger version of herself from Grange Hill one style tip, she has learnt as an adult, “Your clothes or style does not define your spirit; it’s your spirit that defines your clothes or style.”

On the subject of recommendations, she advises aspiring fashionistas to pay attention to the energy coming from within, “Look at your own closet and think about the clothes that make you feel happy, confident, fierce and unstoppable, as these will eventually lead you to your signature style. Additionally, find fashion inspiration, look at people you admire most and ask yourself why.”

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com