Fashion, culture collide at The Blue Amethyst

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A fusion of culture, fashion and creativity took centre stage on Tuesday as The Blue Amethyst officially opened its doors at 56-58 Lady Musgrave Road in Kingston, introducing a distinctive shopping experience to the Corporate Area. The occasion, dubbed Sip & Shop, departed from the traditional store opening, with models showcasing swimwear and formal attire throughout the complex before making their way into the boutique, transforming the space into an unconventional runway. Powered by The Lazuli Experience, the event combined fashion and entertainment, with music provided by DJ’s Gabby and Tyler. Co-owned by sisters Karina Mahbubani and Alpa Manchandia, The Blue Amethyst offers an assortment of clothing, jewellery, spiritual products, home décor, handbags, purses and other statement pieces. “We want to be very different. We want to be that one-stop shop for gifts. Christmas is coming now, so we really want to promote for Christmas. Once you walk in here, you will definitely find something for everybody,” Mahbubani said. She explained that her sister previously operated a similar store in Montego Bay, St James, and that their shared interest in fashion and unique merchandise inspired the Kingston venture. Beyond sourcing items for the boutique, the sisters are actively involved in designing several of the pieces on display. They purchase fabrics and conceptualise designs, including beach cover-ups and formal dresses, which are brought to life by a seamstress based in Mandeville, Manchester. The clothing selection ranges from swimsuits and casualwear to elegant formal attire, catering to different tastes and occasions. “We want to be that place where everybody comes out and shops because I feel like Jamaica doesn't have that a lot. Everything in this store is a statement piece,” she said. Mahbubani, who is also behind popular restaurants Mystic Thai, Mezza Luna and Mystic India, described working with The Lazuli Experience as an amazing experience, marking her second collaboration with the creative team. The fashion presentation was conceptualised by Brandon Ferguson, principal of The Lazuli Experience, who worked alongside director Tavar Brown. Norma Williams serves as the stylist of Lazuli. With more than two decades of experience in fashion and runway production, Ferguson explained that the concept was designed to demonstrate how fashion can be used as a vehicle for cultural expression while creating greater visibility for the boutique. “Fashion is a big part of how we express ourselves,” he said. “Karina wanted something a little bit different. So, what I did was a flash mob. What we did today was to let everyone in the mall know what it's about; to let them know that there is a store where you can get the items that you saw the girls wearing,” Ferguson explained. The presentation allowed patrons to see the clothing in motion while drawing attention to the boutique's offerings through an interactive shopping experience. Ferguson noted that The Lazuli Experience forms part of a broader vision for the Lazuli brand, which will also operate as a fashion agency. The creative enterprise hosted its inaugural event at Mezza Luna in July and is seeking to further establish its presence within Jamaica's fashion and entertainment industries. For Mahbubani and Manchandia, the opening represents an opportunity to create a shopping destination that celebrates individuality while offering customers an alternative to conventional retail options. With the Christmas shopping season approaching, the sisters are hoping The Blue Amethyst will become a go-to destination for shoppers seeking distinctive fashion, accessories and gifts.