'even the newest stars are honored'
SHOW DISCRIMINATION
DO REGGAE SHOWS ONLY TOLERATE FEMALE PERFORMERS AND READILY ACCOMODATE THEIR MALE COUNTERPARTS?
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Permalink Reply by Grace on -
As a woman, I speak to a lot of women in Reggae and have concluded that on the surface it would seem that they are as you say "tolerated"--the same work oftentimes for far less money and secondary billing...sometimes even worse treatment. However when you delve deeper, what takes place in the industry seems to be based less on sexism and more on economics, although granted, this too can be a form of discrimination.
You will notice that women in Reggae who carry "big" names are in fact sought after by show promoters not only because they have an excellent body of work to showcase and a proven track record but also because their names create immediate audience recognition thereby increasing the draw, as opposed to the talented unknown and popular regionally based artists. The bottom line is who can help get tickets sold. We can all do something about that simply by promoting women Reggae artists such as "Reggae Woman" which is the very reason I wanted to be in this community. I am passionate about seeing women in the industry gain more recognition hence record sales. We can create the demand but that's another topic for another "discussion" which I think I will start on this site!
Blessings,
Grace
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RWW FASHION FEATURE - 'BRIDGET SANDALS'
Novia McDonald-Whyte - Contributing editor Jamaica Observer
Sunday, December 07, 2003
Sandals designer Bridget say "Bridget sandals" in Jamaica and fashion watchers, as well as lovers of sexy leather straps, will smile the smug smile of those in the know. It has been, for Bridget Brown, (known by thousands as Bridget), a journey of twenty-odd years. The fact is, the leather soles of her sandals almost left her barefooted on several occasions. "It took me three years," Bridget tells SunDay to get my feet off the ground. I paid the price for not going to school. I had to endure artisans not cutting the leather properly, bad work attitude, sabotage, you name it, I went through it."
A baptism of fire, some might be tempted to add for the former Playboy Bunny. "I was a bunny between 1972 and 1977 at the Playboy Boscobel Beach," says Bridget, flashing her signature toothy smile, and still conscious of that bunny poise.
"Playboy was forced to close (no tourists were coming to Jamaica). I was forced to come back to Kingston. I had to find some means of survival. My first stop was G's One of a Kind -- an upscale boutique that sold one-of-a kind Italian shoes and clothing. I left that in May 1981, after Bob Marley's death. I sold pound-cloth for Carmen Brown of Karmen's Corner. "There I was with my scale underneath my arm, and my cushions at my side. I really never wanted to make sandals. I also made skull caps and crochet bags."
Start she did and never looked back. Bridget even found the time and finances to attend school in Milan. "I went to school out of curiosity. I wondered if I was doing something wrong. Little did I know that I was in fact doing something right. My customers are happy, the sandals are fitting right, and I, too, am satisfied. I admire what I am doing."
No idle boast. Bridget Sandals were on the runway at New York Fashionweek, and Caribbean Fashionweek. Bridget Sandals are in Barbados, St Kitts, Antigua, Lincoln Avenue, South Beach (Miami), in the Village (New York) and at Controversy -- Battersea London.
Come next season, there's the possibility of a shipment to Japan, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, and Dallas.
"You have to be skilfull to survive. It has been a 20-year fight for survival. It's a struggle to maintain quality, confidence, style, craftsmanship. Finally, you have to have integrity in business."
As the chat comes to an end and Bridget does that Bridget walk towards her taxi, and there's a feeling that the very best is still to come from this beautiful sister.
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