As I step inside UMI on Road Town’s Waterfront Drive, I’m drawn to rails of beautiful garments – a sheer kaftan in the deepest of green, a soft white off-the shoulder gown trimmed with feathers and an aqua blue fringed cover-up. My eyes dart to the rear of the store, to a striking display of silk scarves, expertly layered.
Deborah arrives for our interview (note to self: must return to browsing racks later to select my gown for the upcoming Oil Nut Bay White Party).
Stylist – Deborah Reynolds Creative Director – SaFrika O’Neal Model Director – Gilda Richardson Videography – Jermaine Baltimore Assisted by – Debby Ajani, Dekoya Quammie, Wanda Mae Malone Models – Beyonce Moore, Briana Henley, Damion Grange, Henrietta Alexander, Natasha Chalwell, Sarah Bruce Thanks to – Sandra & Nicolas, Scrub Island. Beyonce wears orange Metamorphosis two-piece pants set.
She mentions that she has spent the morning styling her sister, Lorna, after waking at 5am to take a cross-fit class. All this before I have had my first morning coffee!
Deborah’s style is vibrant and confidently puts a stake in the ground – “I am woman, hear me roar!” – today she rocks a pair of white linen palazzo pants, a sheer, over-sized orange shirt, a peek of the brightest hue of yellow and a silk headscarf that pulls the whole look together effortlessly.
“Personally curating looks for individual clients and for the store gives me great joy and it is one of the things I love most about my job. I travel to see the collections in person and then hop on Facetime with the clients to show the pieces that I visualise them wearing” says Deborah. “I don’t do cut and paste!” she laughs.
Originally inspired by international fashion shows by well-known designers, Deborah put her own fashion shows together starring everyday people and these shows continue today, such as “UMI Live at 5”.
“UMI fashion is attainable for everybody. I wanted the people modeling the clothes to be the real people who wore them, in a realistic setting” she tells me. “Not only that, but the shows are a lot of fun and really bring the community together” she says.
As we finish up our talk, I’m already booking Deborah to dress me for that white party.
