Cooyah for AFJ Gala; Grace Jones to be honoured

Jamaican culture and fashion brand, Cooyah, will unveil a new collection this evening at the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) gala, one of New York City’s most prestigious charity events.

A specially curated Cooyah pop-up shop will be featured at the event, which will be held at the Plaza Hotel, NY.

AFJ’s Hummingbird Gala is an annual fundraiser which honours leading personalities contributing to Jamaica’s development. Among this year’s honourees are American luxury shoe designer, hotelier, gallery owner and restaurateur, Vanessa Noel; brothers Robert and Mark White, entrepreneurs and homegrown Jamaicans who played an instrumental role in building a strong paper industry in Jamaica when in 2003 they created Sanmerna Paper Products; and Jamaican-American singer, songwriter, model and actress Grace Jones.

Jones, who greatly influenced the disco music scene before continuing on to fuse genres, pioneered the cross-dressing movement of the 1980s, acted in various prominent films, and has been cited as an inspiration for many artistes. In 2016, Billboard ranked her as the 40th greatest dance club artiste of all time.

PARTNERSHIP

The charity event also supports essential programmes in education, healthcare, and disaster relief.

Cooyah marks the partnership with the AFJ as the opportune way to kick-start its ‘Welcome back to New York’ weekend and will present looks from its new women’s resort collection as well as polos, buttoned-down shirts, and special edition jackets. Cooyah will contribute part proceeds from sales to the charity.

“We are happy to collaborate with AFJ in this way as the gala provides a platform for the diaspora to unite for impactful causes. This aligns seamlessly with the AFJ’s commitment to advancing education and healthcare for vulnerable communities in Jamaica,” said Gary Codner, managing partner of Cooyah.

“Our involvement underscores our commitment to celebrating Jamaican culture and giving back in tangible ways. After a challenging year for Jamaicans, from hurricanes to earthquakes, it is essential to make a meaningful contribution that reflects the roots and vitality of our brand,” continued Codner.

With entertainment at the after-party by Baby Cham, Lukie D, and Max Glazer, this year’s Gala is expected to be an extraordinary celebration of the island’s impact on global culture.

The streetwear label collaborated with Blue Mahoe to create a one-of-a-kind T-shirt that will be specially packaged for all the guests attending the gala. Cooyah will also showcase original artwork by celebrated artist, Homer Bair. The piece will be auctioned to support the gala’s fundraising efforts.

The 2024 Hummingbird Gala will feature an intriguing silent auction collection, three-course cuisine, exquisite wines and other glimmering touches.