David Howell pays homage to Rio Cobre with new collection
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Above: Pistol black, pure white and ash grey combine to create this asymmetrical colour-block linen shirt dress. Howell’s design also features raised and inward pintucks, knife pleat tucks, pinstripe and subtle flare panel detailing, with a Mandarin collar and coconut shell button closure.
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This long-sleeve white cotton shirt, defined by golden table-stitch inseam accents, is given a clean, modern and edgy look with the Mandarin collar and coconut shell button closure.
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Two paths, one story; moving in opposite directions across the Flat Bridge and carrying echoes of the past and the future. That’s the beauty of this Golden Table collection: a journey shaped by movement, memory, and place.
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Model Christabelle Brown radiates quiet strength and mystery in an asymmetrical stone grey linen long-sleeve shirt with raw hems and textured details that mirror the rugged river landscape. Beneath, a flowing black lace dress adds softness and movement against the calm water, embodying the ‘River Mumma’ that is both grounded and ethereal and blending natural power with delicate beauty as the river gently flows around her.
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This smoke gun grey cotton tailored long-sleeve shirt, worn by model Rhyeme Wright, is defined by a distressed seam line.
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The stone grey erosion linen long sleeve shirt is presented with distressed rosette detailing and raw hems. It also highlights Howell’s signature mandarin collar and coconut shell button closure.
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In the hue of midnight blue, this long-sleeve cotton shirt features inward pintuck detailing as well as a Mandarin collar and coconut shell button closure.
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Howell pays homage to the surroundings of Bog Walk
Gorge with this warm sand
linen-tailored
long-sleeve shirt.
One of the island’s most famous rivers, divided by a bridge iconic for its historical significance, serves as the inspiration behind David Howell’s newest collection. In his recent capsule, the fashion designer pays tribute to his journey as a young boy traversing the roadway alongside the Rio Cobre and crossing the Flat Bridge.
“The idea for this collection has been with me since my college days, travelling from Bog Walk to Kingston and observing the textures, scenery, and surroundings along the way. This capsule draws inspiration from the landscape and history of the Rio Cobre gorge surrounding Flat Bridge, that narrow passage carved between rock and river,” he explained to Living.
He further shared that the bridge has long connected rural communities to Kingston. And as a young man, this was the route he travelled into the city, and it is a journey he still takes to this day.
Passing the river and crossing the bridge evokes a deep sense of serenity, and that sense of balance strongly influenced his designs. “Creating this capsule felt personal and meaningful. It let me turn my experiences into designs that tell my story,” Howell added.
Approximately five months ago, he began sketching ideas, playing around with different types of fabric and refining each piece with as many details as possible until the collection fully reflected his vision.
“I started with a concept of Flat Bridge connecting Bog Walk and Spanish Town. Using it as my main seam line inspiration, I sketched ideas and explored fabrics like cotton and linen for texture and movement,” he said, adding that he experimented with fabric manipulation, pin-tucks and asymmetrical panelling to reflect the journey that inspired the pieces. “After refining the pieces, the collection came together seamlessly,” he pointed out.
Each shirt captures the varying conditions of the environment, “compression, erosion, submersion, and crossing expressed through construction rather than decoration.”
Howell remained faithful to his design philosophy. And this time around, he was able to fine-tune his signature methods from previous collections, which allowed the line to build on familiar elements while maintaining cohesion throughout the collection.
“This capsule is different because my past collections were more experimental, while this one zones in on turning stories and personal experiences into wearable pieces. I focused on fabrics, details and techniques that give each garment meaning while staying true to the brand’s signature style,” he reflected.
To bring this collection to life, Howell went on location at the Bob Walk Gorge and Flat Bridge to conduct his very own photoshoot. It was love at first ‘site’ from start to finish. “Capturing images of my work on Flat Bridge and Rio Cobre was amazing. Being in the actual locations that inspired the collection made the images feel real and connected to the journey.”
Even though this particular bridge and river have represented a history of struggle and destruction for some, Howell hopes that his collection can highlight their strength and resilience, as well. “I wanted this collection to highlight hope and strength, showing the bridge as a symbol of connection and the journeys of many locals and foreigners as well.”
He also hopes people feel connected to the story behind the collection and appreciate the landscape presented, the textures, tension, movement, details and journey that inspired each piece.
krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com