Sadeke Brooks, Gleaner Writer

Transparency is key to the invisible look. - Contributed

The dancehall community is highly fashion- oriented, and because of this Tiffany Edwards has decided to promote her grills line, Jawels, in Jamaica.

"My first targets are the entertainers, because they wear it for videos and photo shoots. Everybody wants to follow what the entertainers are doing," said Tiffany, who is also a Swiss model.

She has been coming to Jamaica since childhood, as her mother is from Kingston. However, as part of her two-month tour to promote Jawels, she decided to spend a mere 10 days in Jamaica, but the visit has been extended indefinitely, as the dancehall community has been responding positively to her grills collection.

This response is no surprise, as the grills are light, neat and easy to wear.

Four years in grills

Multiple colours are also part of the 'Jawels' range.

Edwards says she has been in the business of making grills for four years, but started her transparent line only two years ago. In this line, Swaroski crystals are placed on a transparent splint made from the client's own dental impression. The shield can be made by a Jamaican dentist, Dr Ronson Reeves, or in Switzerland by her father, Dr Charles Edwards.

Tiffany says her grills are perfect, as they can be used to accessorise any outfit. She has several styles in the transparent line, with names like Jamrock, Heritage, Royal Flush, Goldigger, Ice Gold, Rosetta Stone, Rouge, Ice Blue and Ice Cap. They cost as low as US$100 for a single cap to US$250 for a full bottom or top set.

Women have been using Jawels to complement their outfits, as Edwards has had more female clients than male. "They go for the whole top or bottom. Women are attracted to this type because it looks better," said Tiffany.

She added: "Grills are hip but the ones that we often see are dark and heavy on the mouth and when they talk they have a lisp."

Dutch reggae artiste Irie Love is among Tiffany's female clients, but she has had several male clients, including Sizzla. She says she made grills for Sizzla from white gold, diamond and sapphire. Some of her other clients are Jamaican singer Fahrenheit, American rapper Cee-Lo and Michael Williams, who is an actor on HBO's The Wire.

Tiffany shows that she has Jamaican heritage with this 'Jamrock' grill.

While Jawels has been featured in Source magazine, Edwards says it has been taking more time than she expected to launch her products on the Jamaican scene, but she is committed to the task.

"I have always had different reaction when people first see it. It's taking on slowly and gently. People are talking about it and clients come on a regular basis," commented Tiffany.

She says the reaction has been different in Switzerland. She says the Swiss buyers are discreet and attracted to Rosetta and Ice Cap, which are almost transparent.

'Jawels' owner Tiffany Edwards shows off her grill.

Nonetheless, Tiffany has high hopes for her company. "I was hoping to be able to hire and create a Jawels team. If I work here I could have a store in Montego Bay and Kingston, and that would open up jobs," said Tiffany.

Many 'Jawels' customers prefer light colours.

She added: "I want to be set in the market of grills. I am the only woman doing this. I am not an artiste or entertainer, so I have to put myself out there to be recognised as the person doing this."

She urges the public to look out for her new female line called Bliss, which is made from diamonds.