BL8K Spotlight: Jawara Alleyne is Under Construction in LFW AW25
Birthed in Jamaica, developed in the Cayman Islands, and now firmly established in London, Jawara Alleyne is a name that resonates with anyone talking about The Tate or Rihanna. Yes, Miss Robyn Fenty herself declared Alleyne her "favorite new designer" in Interview magazine after wearing a bespoke custom chocolate brown silk dress during last year's fashion month. This is just one of the growing anecdotes of Alleyne's celebrity fan base, but for the Central Saint Martins graduate, it’s just another step in an exciting direction.
Photo va Vogue Runway
As he puts it, "My focus is always on my practice, keeping things level-headed." Now, what some editors are calling London’s best-kept secret finally shared his impressive talent with the world, and honestly, it was about time.
“Deconstruction is the way I construct.”
Photo via Vogue
In 2021, Jawara Alleyne debuted his eponymous label under the prestigious Fashion East initiative, quickly garnering acclaim for his experimental approach to fashion. An interdisciplinary artist, creative director, and educator, Alleyne seamlessly blends his Caribbean heritage with deconstructive techniques and a deep sense of pride in his roots.
His garments—focused on structure, rawness, and a touch of mysticism—speak to a unique point of view. But wait, did we mention Shakira’s leather and jersey skirt or her Waka Waka outfit, both made by none other than Alleyne for her world tour? Or Nicole Kidman’s look styled by the one and only Katie Grand for GQ magazine, or Troye Sivan's jeans for i-D, or Dua Lipa draped in vintage Alleyne for Beauty Papers magazine? Impressive right? But come on, let’s talk realness—just one look at his clothes, and catching feelings for his clothes becomes an impossible task.
Photo via Bazaar
“When I was reflecting on the collection, it was really interesting to me that a lot of the same rules still apply to my work, especially when it comes to the simplicity of the material and connecting it at specific points.”
It’s not hard to see why Alleyne’s designs capture attention, but what’s truly hard is looking at his latest runway pieces—lilac lace-draped dresses, satin-structured deconstructed skirts, and tartan miniskirts over ripped pants—and realizing you have nowhere to wear them, now that is tragic.
These bold creations, which marry the raw and the refined, challenge the very essence of fashion. They make a statement about identity, artistry, and the possibilities of self-expression, leaving you yearning for an occasion that would do them justice, which could very well be a coffee run on a Saturday morning or a just-one-drink-turned-into-an-all-nighter hang with friends.
Beyond the women who wear his clothes both on and off-stage, the true muses that inspired his AW25 collection were, unexpectedly, kites. Looking at this childhood favorite, it’s easy to see the delicate balance between structure, freedom, and movement—principles that are at the core of all Jawara’s designs. His garments play with the interplay of rigidity and fluidity, with carefully selected textiles that allow for both deconstruction and reconstruction to take place.
