Records

At the back of Constant Spring Arcade in Halfway Tree, there is a little record shop run by Morton. His main customers are Japanese tourists looking for Jamaican 60's records. He used to sell crafts but now has gone into the record business. Vinyls are stacked ceiling high in boxes and crates which fill his shopfront. Morton told me he doesn't organise or categories the records as it wouldn't be fair. One person might want to buy all of them and leave nothing for someone else.

I love this concept. It's such a different logic. Perhaps Morton genuinely wants his customers to all have a fair go at finding a hidden treasure or maybe he thinks the longer they have to stay and search the more they might buy… Or it could be that he just can't be bothered sorting them… Whatever the reason, this idea made me stop and smile. It’s so different from the usual ‘buy, buy, buy, sell, sell, sell’ of conventional capitalism that I’m used to.

As I was leaving Morton gifted me a record and thanked ME for my time. Again this made me stop. I was the one asking him for the favour and for his time. I thanked him and told him I didn't have a record player but he insisted I take it anyway. I his this Morton with a new perspective and warm feeling of gratitude.

 
 
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Gabrielle // Roots
Gabrielle // Roots

While exploring Constant Spring Arcade in Halfway Tree, I stumbled across Gabrielle at her workshop. A born entrepreneur, a self-taught fashion designer with a mission, ambitious, hardworking, business savvy with a contagious smile. The following day I came back with my camera. We spoke about life, work, family expectations and the importance of positive African consciousness within Jamaica.

Thank you Gabrielle for your pure light and positive energy, you’re truly inspiring!

Check out Quaint by GSC to get your hands on some of Gabrielle’s work.

Sassy Sue // Independence
Sassy Sue // Independence

Sassy Sue lives and works in downtown Kingston, Jamaica. She's been a hairdresser for 18 years now and has her regulars who keep coming back. Developing, refining and perfecting her craft, Sue takes time, care and pride in her job, building herself up independently. This is a woman who has put her mind to something and made it happen.

Jamaican woman have a strength, drive and power that has truely inspired me to dig deeper and push harder. There are a lot of narratives about women who depend on men and who don’t want to work within Jamaica, but in reality there are just as many (if not more) narratives of women who are making big moves through their independent businesses. These are the stories I want to hear, these are the stories I want to share.

Big up yourself Sassy Sue. You are a strong, independent and successful woman!

Mr Roy // Customers
Mr Roy // Customers
Alexis // Strong Women
Alexis // Strong Women

For Alexis, it's the strong women in her life who have guided her, taught her and kept her aiming high.

Take the time to give thanks for the beautiful role models in your life. The women and men who push you, support you and encourage you all the way. These are the people who influence and inspire, these are the people that set us on our track and watch us fly. Take time to be a supportive role model, take time to nurture and uplift the people around you.

Shubba // Barber
Shubba // Barber

Just off Parade, in Downtown Kingston, you’ll find Shabba the barber doing what he does best. An artist when it comes to the shears he knows his craft like the back of his hand.

The confidence, respect and pride that people take in their craft is a Jamaican characteristic which I have fallen in love with. There is such a beautiful sense of dignity and self-worth when it comes to talking about your skill-base and profession. In other societies this might be seen as being egotistic or conceited… But to me it’s refreshing and also very important. If you don’t believe in yourself, value your own work, then who else will? Confidence inspires confidence and the more you appreciate your achievements and skills, the more

If you’re in the neighbourhood and looking for a trim give Shabba a shout!