Dress for your wedding day with Lux Brides Ja
Westmoreland CMO raises concerns, appeals to clergy to ensure compliance
AWEDDING gown is more than just a dress. Every fabric, lining, beading and stitch are representative of a woman’s dream finally coming true. Experiencing this fulfilled desire first-hand, Samantha Grant-Robinson has made it her mission to ease this nuptial pressure by providing luxurious gowns and dresses, courtesy of LuxBrides Ja.
The chief executive officer explained that her haute couture brand produces gorgeously crafted bridal gowns, prom dresses, flower girl or mini bride dresses, along with accessories like luxury veils, crowns and hair jewels.“We offer unique and beautiful masterpieces that make every woman’s dream dress a luxurious reality. Our services include gown rental; custom designs; dress recreation, where clients submit highresolution photos of the wedding dress of their choice that they wish to replicate; and glam services which include bridal hairstyling and make-up,” she told Flair. She also offers a ‘get ready with me’ service, where she is there with the bride on the wedding day, from getting dressed to going down the aisle, even for the bridal shoot, after the vows are exchanged.
Her wedding vision first emerged in 2019, when she was a bride. Knowing that she didn’t want the typical boutique gown, she engaged in extensive research online for the perfect dress to fit her keen fashion sense, “I was very fortunate to have my wedding gown custom-designed.” She assessed the quality and realised that she had struck gold. “I knew how I felt walking up the aisle, how my husband felt when he saw me, and how my friends reacted. And I knew there were other women out there who would love to not compromise on their wedding dress for their day,” she said.
The wedding day is the most memorable day in a bride’s life, and this visionary has heard the tales of brides compromising on the day, choosing a dress not because they were pleased with the look or fit, but because they didn’t have a choice and went with the best out of the lot. Grant-Robinson is all too happy to shift this narrative and give her brides the picturesque look and feel so they can be at their absolute best for their happily ever after.
WORKING WITH INTERNATIONAL DESIGNERS
Since opening in October 2019, she has received many rave reviews, especially in regard to finding the ideal fit for brides of all sizes. These wives-to-be can even pre-order the custom-design dress and practically get it at the rental price. Pre-orders are usually done four to five months before the wedding. An added bonus is that because the company is the baby in the business, most of the dresses are new. Working with top international designers, her gowns speak for themselves, inviting brides to strut outside of their comfort zone and go for something with impeccable details. The ball gowns are definitely a hit among her clients, with some boasting dramatic styles and crystals, like the ones seen in magazines. Her luxury mermaid designs are doing great as well.
Developing quite a traction in the early days, the team estimated even bigger things in 2020; that was until the global pandemic hit Jamaica. It was challenging initially; there were a lot of postponements. But this entrepreneur prides herself on being more than a bridal supplier. They consult with her on wedding advice and she is there every step of the way with them, encouraging and ensuring that they weren’t in a panic. She is excited to see that her 2021 brides are more relaxed; they are actually getting married while sticking to the prescribed COVID-influenced numbers and following the safety protocols.
With an aim to revolutionise the bridal industry in Jamaica and the region, she hopes to get the name out there on a greater scale and grow as a company, all while ensuring that the company always provides quality customer service, “We conduct private oneon-one sessions with our brides at the City View Hotel, Smokey Vale, St Andrew, a breathtaking wedding venue which offers an outdoor haven for ceremony and reception.” She continues, “I’m in love with this premium line of dresses and the details. I’m always happy when a bride comes, finds her dress, and just glows! It’s the transformation for me.”
So if you want to say yes to a LuxBride dresss, follow the company on Instagram: @ luxbrideja.
WESTERN BUREAU
MEMBERS OF the clergy in Westmoreland are being accused by Dr Marcia Graham, the parish’s chief medical officer of health, of breaching the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA) as it relates to the COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
“Our public health officers are periodically monitoring places of worship on the weekends and I have already gotten some reports of lapse in compliance,” Graham told last Thursday’s monthly meeting of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation (WMC). “I have seen videos of church services where people are not wearing masks and all that.”
She was responding to queries made by Rudolph Utter, the councillor for the Frome division and minority leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) caucus at the WMC, in which he had raised concerns about the protocols governing the religious community.
While not naming anyone, Graham said that she had to reprimand a member of the clergy.
“I even had to call a pastor to say listen, we are willing to work with you in getting compliant, because if you are found in breach and you
are not taking corrective measures, then we might have to give you a two-week break to sit down and get it right before you resume your corporate worship,” said Graham.
She said church worship setting has a different set of protocols and regulations under the DRMA, which does not limit the allowable gathering numbers in public places to 10; instead, it is determined by the size of the building, where members must be able to sit six feet apart in any direction.
APPEAL TO THE CHURCH
However, even with the exception in the provision, the medical chief said not all churches are in compliance.
“I want to appeal to the community of faith, please try to limit the length of the church services. It has been reported to me of services lasting for three hours and more and that is not good for mask tolerance,” she said.
Last December, the government implemented tighter COVID-19 measures in Westmoreland, amid a steady uptick in COVID-19 cases coupled with hospitalisation and deaths.
At the time, there were 117 active cases with more than 100 new cases within a two weeks window. However, according to Ministry of Health and Wellness clinical studies, those numbers reached 853 as of February 10.