This Saturday, February 21, hundreds of fashionistas in Kingston will gather for Chic & Champagne at Let Dian Find It (LDFI) Fashions, Shop #4, South Avenue. The event will feature Althea Laing, Jamaica’s first home-grown international supermodel.
Dian Hamilton, CEO of LDFI Fashions and creator of Chic & Champagne, shared that the event was born out of a desire to change the fashion narrative.
“I wanted to create an intimate, relaxed space for a community of women to gather, socialize, and discover new stories about fashion and style. Althea was the first name I came up with when I conceptualized what the event would look like,” Dian explained.
“Since style doesn’t have an expiration date, I wanted to move away from the idea of ‘dressing your age’ and focus on dressing your lifestyle,” she said. “Our bodies and lifestyles evolve, and this demographic is often overlooked. We wanted to say: we see you, we value you, and we curated this with you in mind.”
That philosophy is embodied in Althea Laing, whose presence still commands global admiration. Before the runway lights and magazine covers, Laing was a teacher, a grounding that shaped her approach to beauty, confidence, and character.
“The word ‘fabulous’ in modern times connotes something beyond the ordinary,” Laing reflected. “I have always had my unique sense of style, which seems to positively impact most persons with whom I relate. In every aspect of my life, I strive to be someone whose aura is worthy of emulation.”
Her ‘Fireside Chat’ at the event will explore what is often called aging gracefully.
“As one ages, unless a woman is lucky or blessed with youthful genes, the signs of aging will begin to show,” Laing said. “The key is to dress appropriately at all times.”
Laing credits her confidence and resilience to a lifetime of lessons learned beyond fashion.
“There is no doubt that all my life experiences have helped to determine the strong, confident, resilient, ‘never-say-die’ woman that I have become,” she shared. “Here I must credit my beloved mother, the late Carmen Gloria Reynolds, who, through her love, imbued me with the moral values, wisdom, and courage necessary to navigate this challenging world! So, as I mature, these qualities which she taught me both by example and precept, I still embrace and hold dear.”
But beyond the glamour, Dian is clear about the deeper takeaway.
“I want every woman to leave feeling seen, valued, and fundamentally confident,” she emphasized. “Style is a tool for self-expression at every stage of life. I want guests to walk out not just with a shopping bag, but with a renewed sense of radiance. It is more than just an event; it is a platform designed to celebrate the multifaceted lifestyle of the Jamaican woman,” Dian said.
Plans are in place for Althea to launch her new lipstick brand called Icon Beauty by La Laing.
“Everything Althea touches turns to gold, so I am confident the new lipstick will be a hit,” Dian exclaimed!
From memories of Kingston day-fetes in the 1980s to today’s modern woman balancing leadership, entrepreneurship, and family, Dian sees fashion as both legacy and affirmation.
“I wanted to provide a space where women can pause, be poured into, and feel empowered,” she said. “To honor the Jamaican woman whose fashion sense has always been a vivid tapestry of cultural heritage.”
