THROWN IN AT the deep end, it was either sink or swim. Could she do this? She had, after all, promised she could. She gave her word it would be perfect.
“Did I bite off more than I could chew?” thought Jaye. “I have no formal training in making a real bridal gown.”
That baptism of fire was last year, and since then Jaye Applewaite is the go-to designer for handcrafted, gorgeous, one-of-a-kind wedding gowns made in Barbados.
‘I had no formal training. Me actually sewing was just that I was creative and using my talents that God gave me,” said the formally trained civil engineer.
Let’s go back from the beginning.
Jaye, 29, a product of Harrison College, felt her career choice was either doctor, lawyer or engineer. Armed with a Barbados Scholarship, the Welches Primary past student went off to the University of Waterloo in Canada. After three years of studies and a two-year job attachment, she came back to Barbados as a certified civil engineer six years ago.
She landed a job and was excited. But that excitement soon dulled.
“I started to feel unproductive. Jobs were slow and the industry here was stagnant. I got put on part time, the salary wasn’t improving and that gave me time to think.
“I wasn’t happy. I wasn’t feeling creative. I am a very happy-go-lucky person and it showed in my mood.”
Jaye, the oldest of three girls (Kaye and Rona are the others), said her parents picked up on it.
“They asked me what was wrong”, she told EASY as we sat in her spacious living room where she had patterns and material on a table.
“I told them and they said find something else to do.”
Here Jay credits her parents for always supporting her and her sisters.
“Kaye and Rona wanted to be doctors. Kaye started in medicine and changed her mind and went to Parson in United States and now is a designer with Adidas in Germany. Rona stuck with medicine, though.
“My mum is from St Lucia and my dad from Bahamas. What I remember most from my childhood is up to age 14 every summer they made us do some form of apprenticeship . . . . And one time it was learning to sew. So I can say I actually have some basic skills,” she said, grinning.
But everything else is self-taught.
Jaye actually started out designing floral headbands and jewellery, and credits friend Toni Thorne for her first foray into the fashion world, so to speak.
“She was putting on a show and told me to bring my collection of accessories. I said, ‘okay, but what will the models wear?’ I did some basic white clothing to go along with the pieces, and some skirts and tops. I posted the pictures to social media.
“Someone messaged me to ask if I could sew a garment. I said, ‘okay. They said it was a bridal dress. I asked, ‘For a real wedding?’”
Jaye was stumped. Then determination kicked in. This could be the chance she was looking for. Maybe this was what she was supposed to do.
Jaye worked hard on the dress. Lots of hours to be exact.
“She was my first bride. She had what she wanted in mind. It was a pearl bodice with crystals and rhinestones. I sewed everything by hand.”
The dress was a hit. Bride Life magazine approached her for a feature and she got two more brides after that.
“I was still working part-time. And I had a two-year-old and a toddler at that time. I had a family to support and I was a single mother. I sewed at night and on weekends.
Business was slow but steady based on the bridal seasons, and in 2016 Jaye had designed and created for six brides. She also handed in her resignation letter in June 2016.
“I went into this with eyes open. I strive to be the best at whatever I do. I know my end goal. I know the economy isn’t the best. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but there are brides that want that look and that dress that sets them apart.”
That dress is done in consultation with the bride. She tells Jaye her overall vision for her big day . . . her likes and dislikes. Her measurements are taken, choice of material is discussed, a sketch is done and Jaye starts off with that.
“I love lace. I think it sets the tone for the dress. I love the female form. I like when the dress fits properly. I help to choose the fabric. I love when a bride agrees for me to line it, especially with a different tone.”
Jaye says some fabric has to be sourced overseas.
“Some I get locally but I do have to go outside. When I call my sisters and friends they know it is to pack a suitcase with all sorts of delicious fabric,” she said, laughing.
“I definitely have to plan ahead. So that six-month process for the dress is absolutely necessary. I spare no expense when it comes to my brides.”
Jaye has even had brides ask her to help them dress on their wedding days. And she has even made jewellery, veils and fascinators to go along with some of the dresses.
While only five months has gone in the year, Jaye has already dressed six brides, and since she is a one-woman team she has to pace herself.
“I sew from home. I make my own patterns and I do all my cutting and sewing. I am determined to make this work. I don’t want to go back to a nine to five.
Jaye’s day is making sure Jadison (four) and Jadia (two) are off to school and then she is free for about six hours. Time is limited so she makes sure her daily tasks are met. Some times she has meetings or consultations, sometimes she is on a photo shoot as she has a lot of “creative friends”.
Recently Living magazine did a photoshoot with some of her dresses and she is always happy to see her Jaye Applewaite brand get exposure.
Jaye is currently renovating her childhood home to turn it into an atelier.
“I want to go full couture. Have a showroom and a sewing studio. I want to train others to do what I do . . . . [And] incorporate my jewellery and pieces into it.”
What is she currently looking forward to?
“My sister is getting married. And I am doing her dress. Oh, yes. A Jaye Applewaite design out of this world.” (NS)