I'm so glad to meet you. And you know what? As a young designer, I never even dreamed of starting my own fashion label. After years of working for big fashion brands in Australia, Egypt and South Africa, the thought of having my own label just seemed unattainable. But our lives take many unexpected turns, and mine was no exception.

My journey began with a sailing adventure across the Atlantic Ocean. In 2001, my now-husband and I left South Africa on our tiny 34ft sailing yacht, in search of paradise, and after many months at sea, we finally settled on the vibrant Caribbean island of St. Maarten. There, amidst the sun-drenched beaches and crystal-clear waters, my passion for design reignited. The navigation table of our boat became my creative haven. Inspired by the island's colors and textures, I found solace in hand-beading jewelry, but I yearned for more!

Desperately searching the island streets for breathable clothing in the thick tropical heat and humidity, I was disheartened to find only stifling, synthetic fabrics like nylon. Despite their lightweight appearance, they were suffocating and caused me to sweat excessively. You could say, I was a hot mess!

With a little encouragement from my designer friends, I decided to take matters into my own hands and create a line of humidity-friendly clothing in vibrant Caribbean colors and prints. I bought an old hand-operated sewing machine and started sewing clothing samples right there in the hull of our sailing boat home when the seas (and our toddler, Maya) were calm. And so, West Indies Wear, was born.

I joined my friend from Billabong on a trip to India in 2005, and it was during this trip that I discovered the most incredible fine cotton fabrics. I knew instantly that they would be perfect for the Caribbean heat and I was so filled with excitement to create my first collection, that I stayed up all night designing on an overnight train from Jaipur to New Delhi. By the time the train rolled into the station the next morning, I had sketched out the designs, selected the colors, and even designed the prints, beads, trims, and labels. It was a whirlwind of creativity, a completely new and exhilarating experience.

Back in the Caribbean, I eagerly awaited the arrival of my first shipment, which took about four to five months in production and shipping across the globe. But with my handmade samples in hand, I spent countless hours exploring the islands, searching for picturesque locations for our photoshoots and showing the collection to stunning boutiques throughout the West Indies islands.

As West Indies Wear grew, I realized that my unconventional sales approach of lugging samples around the islands by dinghy was no longer sustainable, and I decided to attend my very first Surf Expo in Orlando, Florida back in 2008 to reach more Caribbean boutiques and hotel chains. This September marked my 17th year at this amazing trade show. And while my online store is a major part of West Indies Wear's success today, I still cherish the opportunity to reconnect with my boutique vendors, many of whom have been with me since the beginning.

Throughout the many months of COVID lockdowns, I found joy in connecting with island girls around the world and sharing my travel stories in weekly Facebook lives and today, Our Island Family community continues to grow beyond 2,600 likeminded women who share a love of travel to warm places, and cool cotton clothing in vibrant island prints. What started with a small collection of cool cotton sarongs and hand-beaded jewelry, has evolved and adapted to changing trends and preferences of the amazing island girl community that we have grown.

And while I now live in my tiny hometown in Australia, I continue to be inspired by my past life as an island girl and each garment that I design tells a story: a reflection of the beauty and resilience of the Caribbean islands that shaped my life. I believe in the power of fashion to evoke emotion and inspire adventure: from the vibrant hues of the coral reefs to the rhythmic sway of the palm trees, my designs truly capture the essence of island life.

After 18 years, my passion for creating clothing that makes you feel cool, confident, and carefree remains strong. Thank you for joining me on this journey, wherever you may be. Whether you're lounging on a beach, exploring a bustling city, or simply dreaming of escape, our collection offers something for every island girl.

 One Love,