How bad do you want it?

SUCCESS = PASSION + PLANNING + PERSEVERANCE

But only with passion can we be committed to plan

And only with passion can we have the strength to persevere 

and push through in hard times to achieve the goals that await.

So as you climb towards success I must ask, how bad do you want it?

This week London was buzzing. Couples walked hand in hand (en masse) as the remnant spirit of St.Valentine lingered in the air. The crème de la crème of the music world performed and were awarded for their achievements at the Brits. Designers unveiled their A/W14 collections to crowds of eager celebrities and fashionistas at London Fashion Week and we watched (shouting at the screen and sharing tears of joy in my case) as athletes continued to battle for gold at the Sochi Winter Olympics. But in the midst of it all, there was only one thing that united everyone in their pursuit of success: Passion.

My week started with a stroke of luck, as by way of my sister (who happened to sit next to the Jamaican High Commissioner at a show on Friday night) I found myself invited to an exclusive fashion showcase and panel event in Mayfair. Here, five emerging Jamaican designers presented their collections and shared their passion in an exhibition called "Thread Bare", which formed part of the International Fashion Showcase organised by the British Fashion Council and the Jamaica Business Development Corporation.

Clockwise (from top left): Abenah Adelaide Designs by Abenah Gonzalez; Spokes Apparel by Dexter Huxtable; Clairely Upcycled Jewellery by Claire Requa; Ms. Sim by Simone Nielson & ASD Clothing by Ayanna Dixon

In a setting that combined three of my passions: fashion, food, and Jamaica (my motherland) you can imagine that I was in my element! Coupled with the panel of industry experts - Susan Bender, fashion stylist and consultant, Claire Sulmers, founder and editor of Fashion Bomb Daily and Aloun Ndombet-Assamba, the Jamaican High Commissioner herself, the event was nothing short of inspirational. As each shared their experience and imparted words of wisdom on the topic of the "It" Factor, what stood out for me was their emphasis on three things which they felt were the key ingredients of success: Passion, Planning and Perseverance and with this I couldn't agree more!

Top: Panellists - Aloun Ndombet-Assamba (Facilitator), Susan Bender & Claire Sulmers
Bottom Right: Me with Aloun Ndombet-Assamba

As I mingled afterwards, discussing a mix of things such as the difficulty of juggling a 9-5 with a creative calling, the years they have spent perfecting their craft and how we manage to stay motivated during the daily grind, it was confirmed that success is definitely not an easy mountain to climb. However as I looked on to admire the finished work of these five budding designers (who had all flown from Jamaica for the week-long exhibition) and watched them beam with pride, I was assured that despite the inevitable struggle, it is all worth it, the only real question is: How bad do you want it?