Belizean Entrepreneur Transforms Traditional Wear into Fashion Statement
One entrepreneur is transforming the traditionally worn head wrap into a fashion statement in Belize. Head wraps are known to be a customary piece of clothing worn in African countries and among the Bobo Shanti, a deeply religious group within the Rastafarian community. But, Risden Clare is using his creativity to combine the head wrap and peaked cap designs into one product with multiple functions. Clare has been promoting his peaked head wraps through his brand Gone Ahead Apparels and his customers are speaking highly of the product. News Five’s Paul Lopez takes a closer look in tonight’s episode of Belize On Reel.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
One Belizean entrepreneur is making a name for himself through his custom-designed head wraps. Two years ago, Risden Clare took a leap of faith by venturing into business and launching Gone Ahead Apparels, the brand under which his products are marketed.
Risden Clare
Risden Clare, Owner, Gone Ahead Apparels
“The product is a brand that is inspired by the military fatigue cap. It started from there, the green or the grey or the brown one. That is where it started at. The only culture or society that really embraces that is the Rastafarians. So I ended up tapping into that. But, the idea was to get a cap that caters for them and other people to basically preserve a different look. So basically, we reinvented the way that people keep their hair together.”
The result is a hybrid between a peak cap and a hair wrap. The design and functionality allow users to take advantage of time while rushing out the door. Clare’s head wraps are created in several different styles and can be quickly applied. The finished looks are convenient for any occasion.
Risden Clare
“It takes you to dimension and different versions. You are not subject to one look as with a hat. With a hat you are only subject to one look. You could try turning it backwards or side way and that is where it ends. But with this, you could wrap it, let your hair out, let your hair up, and change the direction you want, you know what I am saying like.”
Today, we are at J’s Spa on Racecourse Street in Belize City. The health resort is owned by twenty-five-year-old June Orosco. After successfully completing a training course with YWCA, June opened her spa in 2018. She offers a wide range of services, from hair care, to manicure and pedicure. June has also ventured into marketing her homemade natural product line.
June Orosco
June Orosco, Owner, J’s Spa
“I have my own natural product line where I make my own hair product treatment. I am trying to make my own shampoos. I make my own natural scrubs as I can show you right here. This one is going to be J’s Blue Hole Mint Scrub with the Blue Hole Epsom Salt. I nuh get the labels and stuff for it yet, but look out for this on Belize. This wah deh pan the market soon. The wrap is nice, it is fashionable, it is cool and I like it more because it is a loc protector. A lot of people with ras and locs get damaged from the sun and thing. So, it protects your hair, it looks good and it is and I say go for it.”
Kimberley Cassanova, a customer of Gone Ahead Apparels, has been growing her dreadlocks for over two decades. She was introduced to Clare’s product a month ago. Today, she modeled the head wrap for us inside J’s Spa.
Kimberley Cassanova
Kimberley Cassanova, Gone Ahead Apparel Customer
“Being truthful, I have never found a wrap that I could work with easily because of the length of my locs. So, the headbands from Ris are the bomb. I have never found a product that works along with the heat of the country for one, because it is breathable material. And, it is light weight, to carry my weight. I am literally obsessed over this product. I am so in love with it. It comes in different colors. You don’t have to categorize the product. You can wear it at a wedding, at a beach party, at an outing, at the park, because it comes in various colors like I said.”
Clare’s head wrap is similar to the turbans used by the Black Warriors or Bobo Shanti, one of the strictest Mansions of Rastafari. Ras Ruben, the owner of Vegan Bites, is a Bobo Shanti. We visited his business today to learn more about the significance of the head wrap for Rastafarians.
Cameron “Ras Ruben” Usher
Cameron “Ras Ruben” Usher, Owner, Vegan Bites
“We are the priestly order of the Rastafarian movement. So, we take on a more priestly discipline. So, the turban is actually to show a separation or segregation so to speak, from everybody else, the average rasta. We suppose to have more discipline as priest. It is like a priestly wear to separate ourselves from the wider congregation to show that the locs is very sacred so we don’t expose it or use it as a style. So, we keep it concealed. So, the turban is to keep the covenant concealed.”
But, not all Rastafarians are members of the Bobo Shanti mansion and not everyone with dreadlocks is Rastafarian. Clare markets his products to everyone, whether your hair is locked, straight, and even if you have no hair on your head, or you wear an afro like Sanaa Rowland, a brand ambassador for Gone Ahead Apparels.
Sanaa Rowland
Sanaa Rowland, Brand Ambassador, Gone Ahead Apparel
“From the moment I saw it I knew it was something I needed and that is because I am a natural persons. I have an afro and sometimes I tend to not style it. So, I need something to just compliment my fro because most of the time I have it out and then it is kind of like I wouldn’t say basic, but just to add a little dazzle to it I would add a wrap to it and it compliments it because in the sun it has this peak so it is really good and with the afro free one it kind of has a length dropping down so it really compliments my afro. It is not only for Rastafarians. It is very versatile. It is for any hair type. It is for people who don’t even have hair too, as you can see. Risden is balled and it just adds to his look. I would recommend it to any and everybody because it is not just a trend it is a lifestyle because I feel like it enhances your inner power.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
