Jamaican designer Mikayla Salmon makes global splash with Shein collection

Clarendon-born fashion designer Mikayla Salmon began nurturing her passion in high school, driven by a dream of one day collaborating with top international brands.

That dream took an unexpected leap forward last November when global fast-fashion giant Shein reached out to her, resulting in the birth of her debut four-piece spring collection, including a best-seller.

However, when the fast-rising fashion giant contacted Salmon, she was stunned, thinking it was a scam.

“At first I was like, Shein texted my phone? That must be a scam,” she admitted with a laugh, still amazed. “So I left the message ‘on read’ for about two hours, and I literally heard a voice say, ‘Respond to the message.’”

And when she did, the company immediately sent her a contract.

Her debut Shein collection, launched this past April, fuses her creative energy with current fashion trends.

The four-piece line includes a cute pink romper, a denim bubble mini dress, and a sunset ombré cut-out bodycon dress, which have collectively sold more than 500 pieces.

Her best-seller, a two-piece orange skirt set, has sold out twice and was a best-seller when the line opened. Customers, in another month, can expect the design in another colour, which for now, is being kept secret.

To the best of Salmon’s knowledge, she is the second Jamaica-born designer to be featured in a major Shein collaboration – a distinction that fills her with pride.

The designer explained that she was given about five months to design the collection and that initially she had sent 14 designs, but only four were accepted.

“They did all the technical stuff, like cut, sew, fulfil the orders, branding, promotion, marketing – everything was left with them. The only thing that I had to do was design and send them the original sketches,” she shared.

The 29-year-old part-time pharmacy technician, who won the Campari Pop Style competition in 2018 and showcased her designs in Cuba last year, is still reeling from this great achievement but knows the value of showing up and putting herself out there.

Asked how she was selected, Salmon said she had unsuccessfully entered two competitions offered by Shein and she had applied three times to be a part of the Shein X designer programme.

Only challenge

was self-doubt

She surmised that she was selected based on the fact that her credentials would have been in the fashion giant’s database.

According to Salmon, her only challenge was self-doubt.

“Everything that I drew at first, I kind of liked it, but I was second-guessing myself, wondering if persons will take to my designs, and what I want to showcase to them, how they would receive them, and if I would get the support from my Jamaican audience,” she said.

Salmon started working at 15 while attending Denbigh High in May Pen. After graduation, she honed her technical skills at Garmex HEART Academy, obtaining certification in garment construction and fashion design.

She later launched Young Addiction, her home-based business that caters to unique body types, especially plus-size women.

“It was always important for me to make people feel beautiful, especially women like me who struggle to find stylish clothes that fit well,” she explained.

When it comes to inspiration, Jamaica’s golden age of style in the 1990s – a time marked by bold colours, daring silhouettes, and vibrant self-expression – influences her creative juices.

Salmon said she is drawn to the boldness in fashion trends and individuality of that era.

“I realised that a lot of persons had their individual style and persons overseas looked to Jamaica for fashion influences and styles,” she said.

Still, she admits that the collaboration hasn’t fully registered with many Jamaicans, though her news about being selected for the collection was met with overwhelming support.

“Even though I posted it on TikTok, there are still a lot of people who are not aware that I, a Jamaican, am behind this line.

“But when I posted the video online, I was not expecting the response that I got. It was so overwhelming at first. A lot of persons who didn’t even know me were reaching out and saying they’re proud of me and it’s a good look. So yeah, I got a lot of positive response and I think this is a great and positive push towards fashion in Jamaica worldwide,” she said.

So far, Salmon said the reception from her family and friends has also been enormous, but that her community is still in the dark. However, she is anticipating an equally staggering outpouring of love and support once they become aware.

Despite this achievement – her biggest yet – Salmon remains deeply rooted. She continues to sew for clients heading to events like Chillin’ on the Farm and Teacup Sundays. She also designs custom bridal wear, swimwear, and pageant gowns.

So far, Salmon said she has not worked with local celebrities, but that all her customers are celebrities. She is hoping to one day style well-known entertainers such as Spice, Masicka, and Vybz Kartel.

I live, eat, and

breathe fashion

“I live, eat, and breathe fashion,” Salmon said. “There’s nothing else I’d rather do.”

But she isn’t blind to the challenges local designers face.

“It’s hard to access quality fabrics in Jamaica. We all end up using the same thing, which stifles creativity,” she told The Sunday Gleaner. “And shipping costs for international customers are too high. That needs to change.”

Salmon believes reviving and investing in former industrial zones like the Garmex Free Zone could transform the local fashion economy. “We used to export. We can do it again. Designers like me are doing the design, the sewing, the branding – everything. What we need now is infrastructure to do manufacturing.”

When asked what is next for Young Addiction, Salmon indicated that a men’s line is on the horizon.

“I want to create versatile men’s clothing – things you can wear to church, brunch, a party,” she teased. “Something that Jamaican men will actually feel good in.”

She’s also developing a custom ackee print – a nod to national identity – which will be an entry in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s Fashion and Visual Arts competition.

For aspiring designers, Salmon offers heartfelt advice:

“Be yourself and stay true to your vision, even if it’s not what’s trending,” she urges. “Use social media consistently to showcase your work. And don’t be afraid to enter competitions. Mind you, if I wasn’t posting, none of this would have been possible.”

While Salmon envisions more global collaborations and multiple best-sellers, her ultimate goal is to make persons like herself – “the fat country girl” – feel comfortable and confident in whatever they wear, how they present themselves to the world, and how they want to be perceived.”

Although proud to build her career at home, Salmon also dreams of one day working in Lagos, Nigeria – a city known for its booming fashion industry.

“If I weren’t doing this in Jamaica, I’d want to be in Lagos,” she smiled. “The fashion industry there is booming. The fabrics, the culture, the creativity – it’s like a dream.”

But for now, Mikayla Salmon believes she is right where she’s meant to be – proving that even a “fat country girl from Clarendon” can become a global designer with a voice as bold and bright as her best-selling dress.

tanesha.mundle@gleanerjm.com