Dominican Jaida Joseph celebrates graduation from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) with a collection inspired by her homeland

Jaida Joseph, a proud Dominican and recent graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), has successfully earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in fashion design, graduating cum laude. Her journey from her homeland to the international fashion scene is a testament to her persistence, creativity, and dedication.

Joseph’s academic voyage began amid the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, she left her home island of Dominica to attend Ross School in the Hamptons, New York, during her 11th grade. Recognizing her passion for fashion, she applied and was accepted to SCAD, starting her studies there in fall 2021. Initially aspiring to pursue a double major in fashion design and fashion marketing, with a minor in business management and entrepreneurship, Joseph ultimately focused solely on fashion design and her minor, recognizing the extended amount of time it would take to complete a double major.

Throughout her time at SCAD, Joseph consistently made the dean’s list, showcasing her academic excellence. Her senior collection, titled “Isle of Beauty”, debuted in the summer of 2024. The collection, a vibrant fusion of evening wear, lingerie, and inspired by Dominica’s independence celebrations, drew its color palette directly from the Dominican flag. The project was a deeply personal homage to her roots and a means to promote Dominican culture on a global stage.

Joseph taught herself pattern-making, a skill she had not formally studied, to bring her vision to life. As the deadline for her fashion show approached, she faced mounting pressure and doubts about meeting the strict timelines.

“I was uncertain whether I would be able to meet the fashion show deadlines,” she shared, reflecting on the challenging weeks leading up to the showcase. After a week of relentless effort and sleepless nights, she made an important decision. Instead of rushing to meet the show’s deadlines, she shifted her focus to refining her collection for marketing and branding purposes.

“Once I made that decision, a weight was lifted off my shoulders,” she explained, “and I started working faster, made fewer mistakes, and also got more sleep.”

As graduation neared, Joseph’s attention turned toward her entrepreneurial ambitions. She founded Adiaj Krystal, a brand dedicated to making clients feel seen, confident, and unique through custom-made, high-quality evening wear and statement pieces that reflect individual personalities. Her vision centers on empowering women and celebrating diversity through fashion.

“My brand is all about making my clients feel seen, different, and confident,” she said, emphasizing her commitment to personalized, high-quality designs.

Joseph’s journey culminated in her recent graduation, where she received her degree with honors. Her next steps include pursuing opportunities within the fashion industry, building her brand, and designing for pageants and Carnival events such as the Queen Show and Mas Jamboree in Dominica. She is also exploring Carnival costume design and collaborating with bands across the United States, aiming to showcase her innovative designs.

Her collection and graduation stole, personalized with her name, degree, school, and a Dominican flag motif, symbolize her pride and commitment to her heritage.

“I think by just continuing to seek inspiration from Dominica to create more collections would be beneficial to the country in the long run,” she shared. “It allows me to promote Dominica further and raise awareness about my homeland.”