By Cassell Ferere originally published on Forbes.com

Born in Los Angeles, California, Christina Cooper could see the Hollywood hills from her South Central neighborhood. Stardom in her sights, Cooper would create a path for her vision navigating a modeling career, evolving into a film director and actress, and bringing her Jamaican roots to the forefront of her creativity in her Island Gal women’s wear collection.

Influenced by the food, films, and fashion of the Caribbean, Cooper translates her fondest memories of Jamaica into her fashion styles. She does this in all her creative endeavors. She depicts the life of her upbringing in Los Angeles in her films, like “South Central Love” recently aired on BET network.

Cooper made “South Central Love” convey a message to end gun violence as she dealt with the issue while living in South Central. Raised by her Chinese mother, May Cooper, and Jamaican father, Ashton Cooper, Christina would have experiences that would shape her to become a businesswoman.

Island Gal collection modeled by founder Christina Cooper.

STEVIE MURRELL

Cooper was scouted in Fox Hills mall in Culver City, Los Angeles, and got signed to a modeling deal. She was fortunate enough to expand her career and was signed to a New York agency and headed to New York Fashion Week. A German-based agency would sign her during that time, and she would attend the Mercedes Benz Berlin Fashion Week. Following that, Cooper found her way to Milan Fashion Week in Italy. 

Cooper states, “It was a great experience and taught me a lot about independence.” She recalls an incident during her first visit to Milan Fashion Week. "I got my wallet stolen by pick-pocketers at the train station near the airport. I was stuck in Milan with no money. My modeling agency had to give me what they call 'pocket-money.' [This] was roughly about 50 Euros a week. The situation taught me how to manage my money wisely and how to budget."

Cooper lives through this independence and a positive attitude and shares that with the Island Gal Collection. “I remember trips to Jamaica to visit family,” she says. “I always admired their fashion sense on the island, the materials they used, even the land and clear blue oceans. [These] were an inspiration to me. It fueled my creativity.” 

She also was inspired by none other than, Jamaican-English model Naomi Campbell. “She [is] also Jamaican, and to see her reach the heights she has, inspired me, even more, to get into the modeling and fashion industry,” Cooper explains.

Island Gal Vitamin C serum.

BREE ARLINE

Continue reading here…

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT FASHION?

COMMENT OR TAKE OUR PAGE READER SURVEY

OR OUR

CIRCULAR FASHION SURVEY

Featured