JAWARA Alleyne’s spring-summer 2025 collection, Island Underground, is an evocative realm of art, identity, and culture – where effeminacy meets machismo in a dance of fabric and form.
The collection veils body parts in dreamy knots, safety pins, and outré fabrics, warping expectations while transcending the constraints of gender and uniformity. It pulses with the daring individuality that defines Alleyne’s design soul, grounded in the cultural junction of the Cayman Islands.
Designed as a reverence to the visionary spirit of Caymanian legends – Ann Marie ‘Hairstyle’ Tomlinson, Gerald ‘Bogle’ Levy, and Captain Black Terrance of the Bloody Bay Buccaneers – whose stories and identities have shaped a nation living amidst a mosaic of 130 nationalities.
“I’ve always been inspired by a dare-to-be-different attitude,” Alleyne reflects, “and I wanted this collection to mirror the boldness of those who’ve helped me find my path and write my own story.”
Island Underground is a vivid celebration of Caymanian artistic expression, brought to life through a prism of hues that shimmer like the island’s waters. “I imagined the way you see colour reflected off water,” Alleyne muses, a statement that captures the collection’s visual lyricism.
His work, in the words of Minister of Culture Dwayne Seymour, “celebrates the authenticity of our culture while pushing the boundaries of modern fashion”. The impact of this collection transcends fabric; it is a reimagining of Cayman’s past, a sartorial declaration of its future.
The Cayman Islands Government has embraced Alleyne’s vision, recognising the global importance of this cultural exchange. Minister of Tourism Kenneth Bryan praised the designer’s ability to merge local influences with global appeal, emphasising how Alleyne’s rise showcases Cayman as both a creative hub and a premier destination. This coming November 2nd, Island Underground will take centre stage at the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands, marking an intimate homecoming for Alleyne.
The exhibition promises to be more than just a fashion show—it’s a cultural manifesto. Alleyne’s return to the National Gallery, a sacred space for art and history, marks a full-circle moment. “Bringing my work back home is deeply personal,” he shares. “It’s about honouring where I come from and sharing that story with the world.”
Promising to be more than just a fashion show—it’s a cultural manifesto. Alleyne’s return to the National Gallery, a sacred space for art and history, marks a full-circle moment. “Bringing my work back home is deeply personal,” he shares. “It’s about honouring where I come from and sharing that story with the world.”
With Caymanian artist Stefan Langlois contributing bold graffiti and charcoal artwork and the collection curated by National Gallery Director Natalie Urquhart, the exhibition will be a visual feast. Alleyne’s long-standing fascination with the arts adds another layer to the collection’s aesthetic, creating an immersive experience that ties together heritage, art, and high fashion.
Adding a dash of rugged charm is Alleyne’s collaboration with Timberland; a natural extension of his narrative. The iconic Original Yellow Boot – a symbol of Hip Hop culture and Caribbean street style -provides a robust counterpoint to Island Underground’s fluidity.
Timberland’s wheat-toned boots, a staple in youth culture, ground the collection’s ethereal elegance with undeniable machismo, a testament to Alleyne’s mastery in blending contrasting elements.
by Alia Campos