London-based, Caymanian fashion designer Jawara Alleyne has been featured in the latest exhibition from the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’, which explores the history and importance of style in the formation of Black identities.
“Being selected to be featured in this monumental moment in history as a Black designer from the Caribbean is an incredible honour,” Alleyne told the Cayman Compass.
The looks selected for the exhibition come from collections that interrogate Alleyne’s own identity and explore “the intersections of Caribbean heritage, in particular Caymanian heritage, and personal mythology through the language of tailoring and craftsmanship”.
“To be featured in this exhibition is an incredible affirmation of my work and heritage,” he said.
The historical and cultural references to dandyism, a central concept in the exhibition, are seen through the intricate pieces of his suits and polished shoes, along with his signature safety pins and asymmetrical fabric cut outs.
Alleyne’s contributions to the Met Costume Institute’s spring 2025 exhibition reflect his work over the years to redefine fashion through Caribbean heritage, blending fashion, art, and cultural commentary. His recent collections include ‘Island Underground’, Eye of the Storm’ and ‘Construction’. He also had a recent solo exhibition at the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands.