Confident is the first word that comes to mind when you first meet Lisa McIntosh-Aris. This is patent in the expression she uses to represent her clothing line, “If your style is not becoming of you, then you should be coming to me.” After even a casual interaction with her: the attributes humble, enthusiastic and caring are added to the description of Lisa. Lisa McIntosh-Aris, a celebrity hairstylist, fashion designer with a creative and sophisticated line needs no introduction, although most persons address her by the name of her line that is, Neahlis.
Where it all began
Lisa pursued an education in Business and Fashion Art at Boston University, then moved on to cosmetology at the Sheridan Vocational School in Florida. She has also participated in hands-on workshops hosted in Jamaica and New York, trained with the UK’s award winning hairdresser, Desmond Murray. However, Lisa McIntosh-Aris is foremost, a mother and wife, then a hairstylist before a designer, but had always dreamed to take on inventing clothing. She was discovered by Saints International Modeling Agency’s CEO, Deiwght Peters and officially launched the line at their annual fashion showcase.
She recently wrapped up this year’s Style Week Jamaica and served as one of the key hairstylists for Pulse’s Caribbean Fashion Week. Lisa’s abilities also include acting as a beauty consultant to various clients. With Neahlis, which is a combination of her daughter’s name Neah and her own, Lisa has managed to capture the attention of local and international fashion moguls and enthusiasts. Celebrity clients of Lisa include Tyra Banks, Christina Milian, Camille McDonald of America’s Next Top Model (ANTM) and locally well-known female personalities and beauty queens such as Lady Saw, D’Angel, Yendi Phillips and Sara Lawrence.
Behind the scenes
Her name, hairstyles and collections have been ripping the runways locally and headlining the style columns for more or less a decade. The exposure has landed her major projects, one of which was the position of key local hairstylist to the lead international hairstylist, Troy Pettin, during the ANTM production. Coincidentally, the production and style team selected Neahlis to be a part of the clothing lines to outfit the models for one of the challenge photo shoots after seeing the designs in a catalogue of local designers. growth of #teamNeahlis.
As an experienced fashion entrepreneur, Lisa participates in many showcases as a designer or as a hairstylist, sometimes balancing both. Observing Lisa at work is an enthralling exploit that will intrigue you. “I would not be where I am today without the strength from the Creator and support of my family. The support of my team of workers who manage to pull through even at the last minute is also an important influence,” shared Lisa. With this support is the manifestation of the growth of #teamNeahlis. “I also have to give my husband some credit because he helps with maintaining the balance. He’s the chef in the kitchen and both Daddy and Mommy when I am working, studying or travelling.”
Moving forward
The Neahlis’ collection epitomizes her persona: classy, strong, creative and outstanding. Nowhere near losing her edge, the newest collection of Neahlis is a combination of brightly coloured and intense prints of airy fabrics fittingly named “Mariposa in Flight”. Mariposa (the Spanish for Butterfly) represents copiously the life cycle of a butterfly; when the collection was created Lisa carefully protected the designs like a cocoon on a larva then soon emerged in a multitude of forms.
This year’s collection recommences the origination of the 2010 “Mariposa” and 2011 “Mariposa-transformed” collections. It is rightly the metamorphosis of Lisa as a designer. And so completes Neahlis’ transformation and begins the journey – taking flight.
The greatest challenge follows when demands are not met especially as a Jamaican and receiving the support of fellow Jamaicans in and outside of Jamaica. “Here in my country I have received strong support but the collection is in flight and I am ready to take on a challenge, move to a higher level.”
The next step for Neahlis involves introducing collections to the European fashion market, first in the United Kingdom. She is not one to complain about the struggles to move forward. Her work is deeply imbued by nature and spiritual inspiration. “Everything in life always has a challenge but if you choose to pursue everything with greatness and fullness plus focus on God, you will be rewarded. For every setback, God has a greater comeback.”