Canada-based Caymanian fashion designer Jagger Hope is making his way home to Cayman this month to showcase his latest collection, ‘Rebels International’, at The Gallery in Camana Bay. The pop-up will feature his latest releases and best-selling garments, and will allow residents to explore the brand up close.
Born and raised in Grand Cayman, Jagger, 27, now based in Montreal, Canada, was always interested in how things come together.
“It’s how my brain’s wired,” Hope told the Cayman Compass.
“A passion for design has been a part of me forever, whether it was sports, school, or whatever random stuff I was into. Lately, it’s been fashion, as that’s where I’m putting my energy now.”
Hope leaned more into fashion after he left Cayman.
“I saw how influential and constantly evolving the scene is. It felt like a playground that had space for me. So, I thought, ‘Why not?’. I jumped in and honestly people seem to be somewhat into what I’m doing so far,” he said.
Jagger founded Rebels International “as a platform to explore his passion for creating garments that bridge the past and present after graduating from fashion school in Toronto”.
A fashion fusion
Hope is known for his relaxed but edgy, timeless, vintage-inspired designs, with his brand’s pieces reflecting his Caribbean upbringing, mixed with a global and modern perspective.
“Growing up in the Caribbean, I wasn’t exactly surrounded by suits and ties, and that stuck with me. The sun and salt water did a number on tons of my clothes, so now my pieces often look weathered, distressed, and like they’ve lived a life.”
Since his collection debut, Jagger’s work has continued to gain attention for its blend of laid-back energy and contemporary edge.
When it comes to his journey in fashion, Hope said he is proud watching people understand his brand’s vision.
“Seeing them believe in it and in me, like I do, that’s the best. My family and some of my friends have backed me hard since the early days of this project, and it’s surreal when someone buys into my vision as much as I do,” he said.
“I’m proud of sticking it out. There were so many times I could’ve said, ‘screw this’ and walked away, but I didn’t. I kept going, for me and for the people who believed in me, even if it felt at the time like nothing was going right. That’s another huge source of pride for me.”
‘More than a showcase’
The three-day fashion pop-up being held 19-21 Dec. is more than a showcase, Hope said.
“It’s about reconnecting with the community that inspired me and where my journey began. Bringing Rebels International home to Cayman is something I’ve always dreamed of [since] starting the project,” he said, adding that there’s more in the works.
“After the Cayman pop-up over the holidays, we’re continuing to drop new stuff every month. Some pieces at the pop-up are sneak peeks that will hit online next year. We’ve got a retail installation in Montreal, and we’re aiming to expand that network of stores and throw pop-ups in more cities to continue.”
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