Jamaican cultural and fashion icons were celebrated uniquely and imaginatively last Saturday night, as former beauty queens and entertainment legends were transformed into custom-designed dolls at the Fashion Elevation showcase in New Kingston.
Among those honored were Cindy Breakspeare, Joan McDonald, Nevaeh Allen, and reggae icon Marcia Griffiths. The event, held at The Summit, blended fashion, nostalgia, and cultural tribute, elevating the concept of the popular “dolly” aesthetic into a high-fashion experience.
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Organized by Mahogany Entertainment Network in collaboration with Island Dolls founder Beverley Robotham-Reynolds, the showcase featured handcrafted dolls modeled after each honoree. Robotham-Reynolds, who has spent three decades in the doll-making industry, said the project was inspired by a request from fashion insider Weston Haughton.
Drawing on extensive research, each doll was styled to reflect defining moments in the women’s lives. Breakspeare’s doll, for instance, wore a near replica of her Miss World coronation gown, recreated with carefully sourced fabrics and intricate detailing. McDonald’s doll featured one of her signature fashion pieces, while Allen’s was dressed in a custom blue gown inspired by her personal style. Griffiths’ doll even included her distinctive beauty mark.
The honorees expressed both surprise and appreciation for the tribute. Breakspeare, marking 50 years since her Miss World victory, described the experience as deeply meaningful.
“It’s very special. I’ve never been a doll before,” she said, reflecting on the milestone. Now a grandmother of eight, she added with humor, “I’m a bashment granny.”
Griffiths also embraced the moment, recalling a past encounter where she was once called “the original Dolly,” a term she has since come to appreciate. McDonald shared that becoming a doll ranked among her proudest moments, emphasizing her lifelong passion for fashion as more than pageantry, but a way of life.
Allen, the youngest of the group, described the gift as both unexpected and deeply personal. “It’s every little girl’s dream to have a doll that looks like her,” she said.
The evening also honored pioneering Jamaican supermodel Althea Laing, who received a custom-blended fragrance in recognition of her contributions to the fashion industry. Meanwhile, Haughton was recognized for his impact on modeling and fashion development.
Fashion Elevation brought together designers, creatives, and cultural influencers from across the globe, celebrating innovation and Caribbean excellence. The event was produced in partnership with LA Fashion Closet, with a headline showcase by Septimius The Great, who debuted his Septimius Couture collection.
The showcase stood as a vibrant tribute to legacy, creativity, and the evolving definition of beauty, where icons are not only remembered but reimagined.
