STYLE PROFILE: GARFENE GRANDISON

Every now and again we come up on an interesting fashion story and more than a few times at the centre of it stands a Belle. Well, meet Garfene. He’s young, stylish and the face of our first ever Style Profile.

In a conservative society style specimens as Garfene sticks out like a sore thumb. Mastering the art of great style ‘Garfene the Grand’s savvy layering, texture and color choices evidently makes him a favorite among event photogs.

Garfene’s style profile should be the premise on what Jamaican men rebuild their closets on and I’m sure you will all agree. His clash of sartorial meets trendy style strikes that perfect boy meets world fashion classism imbalance - the reality of what having great style does for men his age. Anna said it and I’ll say it again; the thing about the fashion World is that it makes them nervous; they fear the peculiarity so will therefore always resent it just because. And its Grandison’s fearlessness of that coveted oddness that gifts him his great style as well as his understanding of what is to live a life-in-style.

“Long and short of it, a person’s style is everlasting but fashion is a fad, it comes and goes”

– Garfene Grandison

Men’s Fashion in Jamaica for a long time has been quite monotonous and uninspiring, where do you draw inspiration from when dressing?

I draw my inspiration from a lot of things and people around me. Ever since I was younger I always found myself looking at my dad’s clothes and saying how unique they were and just how stylish he was whenever he gets ready to hit the town with my mom. Because of that I always wanted to look my best no matter the circumstance or the occasion. I was a kid who loved to “dress up”. The articles of clothing that my parents used to buy were always very fashionable. I don’t think they realized it and neither did I at the time but looking fresh and presentable has always been something that was a part of me. Already having that foundation and then coming into lifestyle journalism where there are so many fashion choices just made it that much easier for me. I wouldn’t say that I have a bold personality but I do draw a lot of inspiration from bold things. If you look at my choices most times, there is always something that jumps at you and that’s what I like to do each time I get dressed…to outdo myself each time. It’s about thinking outside the box, using the season trends and fusing it with my own unique sense of style.

What are for you your top 5 Style Essentials?

This is a bit of a tricky question because I change my looks ever so often. They say that style is timeless so the key essentials that I cannot do without are:

1. A trendy and comfortable pair of shoes

2. Sunglasses ( I never leave home without them unless I am attending an event after sunset)

3. My accessories ( the subtle pieces that are often overlooked such as a tasteful bracelet and my cell phone which has become a major part of my style lately)

4. Stylish pair of frames. This is one of my latest obsessions. I have a growing collection of frames all fitted with my medicated lenses - style is not just about your clothing.

5. A tailored blazer. Everyone, both male and female, should have at least one blazer in their closet. This versatile piece can be dressed up or dressed down to complete almost any look.

You’re keen on layers and blocking, where do you source your pieces from (in general)?

At first people are sometimes taken aback when I tell them I don’t shop in Jamaica at all but their expressions often change when I tell them that I buy Jamaica. Most of the pieces in my closet are from local designers. I do prefer a tailored look in almost every piece that I wear. I would really love to find a designer that has tailored t-shirts. Lol. But I wear designers such as white sky, Drenz, Pablo Palair but I mostly stick to Carlton Brown and Spokes Apparel for my suits to get that clean, classic tailored look. For edgy and trendier designs/looks I put my trust in Franz Christie. He has now become what you might call my image consultant.

As a pacemaker in Men’s Fashion what is your opinion on Kingston Style (Men/Women)?

Kingston still has a far way to go in terms of fashion. We are extremely fashionable but I don’t think we completely grasp in totality the concept of style as opposed to fashion especially European fashion. Long and short of it, a person’s style is everlasting but fashion is a fad, it comes and goes. What Jamaican’s tend to do is to see one trend and just run with it until it gets tired. I must say that women experiment more and that’s commendable but the men are still lacking. Button up and jeans aren’t cutting it anymore.

Describe for me briefly how you define a ‘Life in Style’.

A ‘life in style’ for me personifies the ultimate living experience. It embodies a person who takes pride in their appearance, look and decorum at all times. It isn’t something that is one off or that can be switched on and off. ‘Life in Style’ is just that…a lifestyle.

#people