CIGA Records’ Shawn Baptiste fashions for the dancehall culture
Published:Friday | January 12, 2024 | 12:08 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
Doing it for the culture, CIGA Records chief executive officer Shawn Baptiste launched his new clothing line, Caribbean Boyz and Girlz, at Weddy Weddy Wednesdays held at Stone Love headquarters in St Andrew this week. The sleek designs of short-sleeve polo shirts, bucket hats and caps, took centrestage drawing the attention of patrons who looked on in amazement. Baptiste tells us more about his fashion collection.
“Dancehall is music, fashion and entertainment. That is the complete package. I just put it together and send it out to the Caribbean because at the end of the day we are all Caribbean people,” he told Living.
The aim of the line is to celebrate the colour, radiance and style of the Caribbean people. And it helps that the brand is being endorsed by the dancehall doctor himself, Beenie Man. “The sign on the shirt is actually Beenie Man’s sign. Because I’m working with him. He is the brand ambassador for the clothing line. He is a fashion icon in these streets,” the king of the dancehall’s manager shared.
For Baptiste, who is from the US Virgin Islands, the movement comes full circle from the release of the title track for his album, Caribbean Boyz, in April of last year.
When asked why he decided to launch the line at Weddy Weddy Wednesdays, the producer explained dancehall really comes from Stone Love HQ, so it was the ideal location to embark upon this style initiative at the birthplace of this exciting culture.
Boasting bold and cool hues, the polo shirts bear the mark of the signature royal lion and reflect dual tipped in both the collar and the sleeves, elevating the look to chic perfection. To the back, there is even a subtle, yet significant representation of the country present in the different flags. The same sharp energy resonates in the matching or contrasting bucket hats and caps. “So far, the people love it! It’s an inclusive line, designed with both men and women in mind, with a wide range of sizes. You can’t design for the man and leave out the woman,” he added with a smile
He described his personal style as elegant, styling polo shirts for any occasion, and this shines throughout the collection. But he declared that the style selected mirrored the people residing in different islands across the world.
So, what’s next? Caribbean Boyz and Girlz will be bringing tracksuits into the mix very soon, so style enthusiasts and experts can look out for the release,“I hope Caribbean people and those from other nations will gravitate towards the line. We want at the end of the day, when you see someone in our brand, you will know that he or she is from the Caribbean or representing the island.”
Desha-Gaye Davis, one of Beenie Man’s daughters, proudly rocked the runway of the dancefloor Wednesday night in the brand, and had this to say about Caribbean Boyz and Girlz Clothing Line. “I’m elated about the brand. It’s something new and fresh to dancehall. And it’s going to take over the place. The polo style is unique and the bucket hats are back in, I love it. You know, when it comes to style I’m always up and ready to set the trend,” the dancehall fashionista revealled.
She is particularly happy to be supporting her father on this vision, noting that her focus these days is on family, “This line has a lot to do with my dad, so he has my full support; I’m 100 per cent behind it. For me, everything that has to do with him comes first. I’m all about family right now.”