From Nyabinghi to New York: One Man’s Journey Through Rasta and Style

Jahlani Edwards grew up near the foothills of the Blue Mountains, where the morning breeze carried the scent of pimento and the steady heartbeat of Nyabinghi drumming. His father, a respected Rastafarian elder, led Sabbath reasoning sessions and wore his crown of locks wrapped high in vibrant kente cloth. To young Jahlani, his father’s presence was more than spiritual—it was visual. “Your clothing should reflect your inner soul,” his father would say. That wisdom didn’t just stick—it shaped Jahlani’s path.

Sketches of Spirit and Style

As a teen, Jahlani filled the margins of his schoolbooks with sketches—robes with bold stripes, jackets inspired by Haile Selassie’s regal military attire, and streetwear silhouettes that fused ancient Ethiopian symbols with modern edge. But in a country where fashion wasn’t seen as a career path, opportunities were scarce. So he created his own. He began selling dyed headwraps and upcycled denim from a small stall near Papine, each piece infused with the spirituality and self-expression of Rastafari. For Jahlani, it was never about trends—it was about truth.

A Global Calling, A Local Root

His breakthrough came unexpectedly. An influencer posted a photo wearing one of his “Lion Order Bomber Jackets” at a reggae festival in Barcelona. Within days, his inbox overflowed. Orders poured in from Japan, Germany, Kenya, and beyond. But instead of chasing hype, Jahlani anchored deeper. Every collection remained prayerful and personal. Each garment came with a handwritten tag—sometimes a Psalm, sometimes a quote from Marcus Garvey. His brand wasn’t just growing—it was glowing with purpose.

Faith Meets Fashion

Today, Jahlani’s studio in New York is more than a design space—it’s a sanctuary. It doubles as a venue for healing circles, cultural seminars, and spiritual gatherings. His message is stitched into every seam: “We nah style fi vanity. We style fi clarity.” His runway dreams are still laced in red, green, and gold—not for spectacle, but for substance. For him, island fashion isn’t just wearable. It’s spiritual armor—a way to walk with purpose and presence in a world that often forgets its roots.

Rasta Culture’s Lasting Impact on Global Style

Rastafari’s contribution to fashion goes far beyond locks and knitted tams. It’s a visual language of liberation, a rejection of materialism, and a celebration of African identity. From Peter Tosh’s heavy wool trench coats to the iconic mesh marinas of Kingston dancehall, Jamaican fashion has always been a voice of resistance and renewal. It’s not just about what you wear—it’s about what you stand for.

Globally, designers now pull from this deep well of symbolism—replicating color palettes, silhouettes, and slogans. But fashion lovers can tell when a piece carries real energy. Brands that ground their aesthetics in authentic Rastafarian principles—natural dyes, loose-fitting garments, pan-African symbolism—don’t just sell clothes. They sell consciousness.

Sustainability Meets Spirituality

As sustainable fashion gains momentum, more consumers are seeking styles that honor intentionality and overindulgence. Rastafari fashion, with its emphasis on simplicity, spirituality, and cultural pride, fits that demand with effortless power. It’s not about excess—it’s about essence. And that’s why it resonates.

Island fashion isn’t an accessory—it’s an anchor. It grounds the wearer in something deeper. And as the world searches for meaning in the way we dress, Rasta roots continue to lead with vision, clarity, and unmistakable truth.

From Roots to Runway: Island Fashion as Cultural Power

Jamaican fashion—especially when rooted in Rastafari—isn’t just a look. It’s a lesson. It teaches resilience. It honors ancestry. And it dares to dress the soul. When international designers borrow from the Rasta or dancehall style, they often replicate the surface without reflecting the substance. That’s why it’s critical to uplift homegrown Caribbean voices—designers who live the stories they stitch.

These creatives aren’t just producing garments. They’re crafting living artifacts—meant to be worn like armor and displayed like flags of identity. Rising brands are incorporating natural dyes, African-inspired geometry, and ital-driven materials like hemp, cotton, and bamboo. They’re blending sustainability with spirituality, and shoppers are responding. From London to Lagos, garments that carry messages of liberation, love, and livity are becoming staples in urban wardrobes.

A Movement, Not a Market

Island fashion—especially when it flows from Rasta roots—isn’t about chasing virality. It’s about centering values. It’s about resisting colonial standards of beauty and success. It’s about letting the Earth, the ancestors, and the culture guide the stitching. And in a world increasingly hungry for truth, that kind of authenticity is unstoppable.

Whether you’re a fashion entrepreneur drawing inspiration from Jamaica or a global admirer learning where the real flavor comes from, one thing is clear: the future of fashion isn’t found in fleeting trends.

It’s found in timeless roots.

The Tacts, Content Blogger

Published on July 25, 2025