By Melonie Hall

When a Caribbean person hears the phrase, "Yardman!" they can immediately make the connection. This is exactly the reaction anticipated from the founder of this unique and distinguished apparel, when he adapted the phrase. "Yardmanstyle represents someone who is cool, confident and relaxed which to me is a Yardman-- the epitome of cool", says Hugh Johnson the founder of Yardmanstyle.

Recently while showcasing in Las Vegas at the Magic Convention, the largest fashion expo in the world, several curious shoppers upon seeing the "Yardman-style" booth, immediately inquired about its origins. Errol from Grenada, remarked," I have never seen a clothing line representing a Caribbean country before”. He was right. There wasn't one other company manufacturing clothing that was geared for people from the Caribbean.

This is the void Hugh Johnson decided to fill when he ventured in the fashion industry. In his posh office in the Fashion District, Hugh Johnson took time from his demanding schedule to talk about Yardmanstyle. Hugh is from Kingston, Jamaica, bursting with the culture and influences of the different nationalities that reside there. In 1979 he migrated to the United States. After adjusting to his new home, he soon realized that in order to secure a stable future, he would need to continue with his education. This led him to complete his studies and earn an Accounting degree. Yet with all the education and experience he had procured, Hugh felt that there was still a void. All this time, he kept pondering a childhood dream to be his own boss. He went on to create a tax services company and full service accounting firm which he ran successfully for ten years.

On May 21, 2000, Hugh took a trip to regroup and evaluate his next plan. "While I was on my trip in Florida, I thought about my next business venture. I came up with the brilliant idea to enter the fashion arena. I like starting businesses and have always loved fashion concepts. I actually started my fashion line by creating a basketball cap with an inter-changeable inner band." Hugh wanted to take this one step further, so he decided to carry a full clothing line. He took the challenge to become unique in the competitive fashion industry.

Yardmanstyle, founded in May 2000, is a men’s clothing line offering unisex T-Shirts, Baseball caps, long sleeved pullovers, track suits and denims. They target the 15-35 year old fashionable and trend setting male. "The name symbolizes and represents heritage and roots of the Caribbean people. This line is for all the people from the Caribbean, no one is ignored. When you have on Yardmanstyle, it's all about you!"

Yardmanstyle is available in NYC, Japan, Canada, Antigua, Bermuda and you may also make your purchase online. Next month, November 5-9th, Yardman-style will be at the Caribbean Fashion Week, held in Jamaica.

Hugh Johnson is a man who took charge of his life, directed his future and stayed true to the motto of his company: "We run things, things nuh run we!"