Jamaica Beauty, Fashion & Wellness Expo promises ‘epic’ weekend

Jamaica’s beauty, fashion and wellness industries will take centre stage this weekend as Jamaica Beauty, Fashion & Wellness Week culminates with the 2026 Miss Universe Jamaica Grand Coronation.

The weekend will also see Dr Gabrielle Henry make her first official appearance since her injury in Thailand last year, appearing on the Miss Universe Jamaica stage on Sunday to crown her successor.

“We are happy that after the incident in Thailand, Dr Henry is able to appear on her home stage to crown her successor. God is good,” said Mark McDermoth, president of Atelier Dermoth Williams Limited, a fashion brand and the management company of the Miss Universe Jamaica Organisation.

But before the crown changes hands, there will be plenty to keep patrons occupied, with the Jamaica Beauty, Fashion & Wellness Expo opening from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. The expo will offer patrons an opportunity to sample and purchase a range of beauty, fashion and wellness products.

The fashion spotlight will intensify on Saturday at 8:30 p.m., when the Jamaica Fashion Collections take the stage. The showcase will feature collections from some of Jamaica’s prominent fashion designers and brands, presented by the Miss Universe Jamaica contestants alongside leading Jamaican male and female models.

“The Jamaica Fashion Collections are going to be very exciting, as there are so many different elements!” McDermoth added. “From the fashion design standpoint, some of the island’s top names will be showcasing their newest collections. We even have a few collaborations, whereby accessory designers and resort wear brands have combined to showcase their style. We have a headgear designer who will be creatively showcasing her designs as the main focal point in an unusual fashion union.”

Design Essentials will stage an elaborate hair show, while Fania Ffrench will offer her own take on models ‘wearing’ make-up as they sashay along the runway.

And then there are the models, headed by former international supermodel and pageant and runway coach Lu Sierra, Miss Universe Jamaica 2020 Miqueal-Symone Williams; Rasheda Green, fresh from Poland with her Miss Supranational Caribbean title; the 2026 Miss Universe Jamaica contestants and a selection of Jamaica’s male and female models.

“In a word, epic!” McDermoth said.

Music will also play a major role on Saturday, with Gem Myers taking the stage. While Myers has been a longtime friend of the Miss Universe Jamaica brand and has performed for it consistently over the years, this will mark the first time she brings her live band to the event.

“In putting together the line-up of models and entertainers, we wanted to ensure there was something for everyone and in particular with Gem Myers, who is a longstanding friend of the pageant and has performed for us on many occasions. But, this time, she comes with her band and she will be doing some vintage sounds that we would want the younger folks to listen to and they’ll understand how truly amazing she is as a vocalist and performer,” McDermoth said.

For McDermoth, the initiative is about more than a weekend of entertainment and glamour.

“The main vision behind Jamaica Beauty, Fashion & Wellness Week 2026 [at the] AC Hotel Kingston was really to galvanise Jamaica’s MSMEs (micro, small and medium-sized enterprises) in the beauty, fashion and wellness industries after Hurricane Melissa in having our own platform or engine not just to simply recover from the devastation, but to have true public/private sector partnerships to formulate and install international standards and systems to grow our industries, make them sustainable and provide real and steady income for the individuals within these industries,” McDermoth said.

The week will culminate on Sunday evening with the Miss Universe Jamaica Beauty, Fashion & Wellness Pageant, where 33 contestants will compete for the title and the opportunity to represent Jamaica in Puerto Rico.

For McDermoth, finding Jamaica’s next representative goes beyond physical beauty.

“We are looking for that true ambassador with the perfect combination of great looks, confidence, charm and character. She must be able to handle herself well in any interview setting and be mature, professional and a leader,” he said.

entertainment@gleanerjm.com