Althea Laing starts the Supermodel train from Jamaica to the world

Jamaica is producing supermodels at what is perhaps an unrivalled rate for a country of its population size.

But to start it all, there was Althea Laing.

Laing was the first woman from Jamaica to make the cover of a major international magazine like Essence.

The supermodel was not the picture of the classic beauty that prevailed at the time but was confident enough about what she offered to the camera to destroy the glass ceilings of traditional views on beauty.

The dark-skinned beauty is now the stock in trade of the major fashion brokers of the world but it wasn’t that way when Laing started.

As a child, Althea was often misunderstood and sometimes isolated as her creative personality was not always in line with what you would see every day. Still, she took regular part in the cultural and theatrical activities of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC).

Early on, Laing was noted for taking on the lead role in ‘One Time, Long Time and even had a cameo in ‘Daughters of the Dust’, a film produced to depict the struggles of women in South Carolina.

Laing was a first-place runner-up in the Jamaica Festival Queen Competition before winning the Miss Jamaica Fashion Model Competition. That victory was all the more special because, by the time Laing successfully took part, she was already 29 years old.

That victory may have been what gave her the confident to approach executives from Essence Magazine, but what is a fact, is that she did so at the first opportunity she was given.

Laing’s story is one of blind determination, with her self-promotion opening doors for the models of today.

When Essence Magazine visited Jamaica, Laing’s introduction of herself would lead to a photo shoot in New York. The rest, as they say, is history.

The Jamaican bombshell was an instant hit, beginning with her cover and another appearance in Essence.

The major catwalks around the world became her stomping ground and Althea Laing, the first locally made and discovered fashion model, was born.

But Laing’s life, though catapulted into the public through her modelling, was about more.

When her career as a model came to an end, Laing turned to teaching English Language and Literature and after cutting her proverbial teeth in the industry, founded the Althea Laing English Academy in Mandeville, Manchester.

Privately, Laing has given back in other ways as well.

Over the span of 10 years, Laing’s home has become the home of, at least 15 children. Add that to a summer programme for girls aged 8-16, and you have a life well lived.

Laing focused on confidence-building, grooming, poise and public speaking, skills she would have developed in the fashion industry.

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