A model wears a two-piece denim outfit adorned with red and white zippers from Felicia Blake's Felicittyy designs. - Francine black photos

Francine Black, Staff Reporter

A young entrepreneur with her sights set on success aptly describes 23-year-old Felicia Blake who is a partner in a model agency and sole owner of a fashion line.

The young woman from Mountain View, in East Kingston, has certainly not allowed her address to stop her from going for the best and so far she has been reaping the fruits of her labour. The young designer is a partner in Felician model agency which manages 20 models and also has a fashion line called Felicittyy Designs.

Having just attained level two certification in essential fashion designing from the Heart Trust NTA, the young designer intends to put out an exciting summer fashion line to be carried in a number of stores. "I am getting the tags made and I have been going around to the stores (who are interested) to find out how much they want," she told THE STAR.

Self-taught designer

Blake, who is largely a self-taught designer, discovered her talent as a designer and seamstress at age eight when she sewed a skirt for her mother with little supervision. It was not until she was 15, however, that she started to take sewing seriously. It was also at this age that she received her first sewing machine, a gift from her mother. She was still attending school and had very little money to buy the necessary material, so her family helped her to keep her dreams alive by giving her material and sometimes cash.

In 2001, while still in school, Blake and a partner ventured further into the fashion field and started the Felician model agency. As a finalist in the 'Miss Dunoon Technical High' competition, Blake developed a love for modelling and thought it was something she could twin with fashion designing. Having received training during her time in the competition, she realised that it was something that was easier than she expected.

Her models have been a part of several shows including Harmony Splash in 2003 while her designs have also been on a number of shows including The Party which is aired on CVM TV.

Her clothing line features a wide range of pieces for men and women and range from formal wear to dancehall and casual styles.

Funding her business has still been difficult for the young business woman who intends to seek some assistance from the Jamaica Business Development Centre (JBDC).

With some more plans in the pipeline, Blake intends in a few years to become a part of Caribbean Fashion Week which will further her plans of breaking into the regional market.

Having been a business woman for about six years, she suggests that others looking to get into the same field as her should ensure that they love what they choose to do. "They should always put God first, love it, must be willing to take calculated risks and work hard at it," she said.