Golden collection - Chester Castle native honours community through fashion brand

Long before 'gold diggers' began mining for precious mineral in Chester Castle, Tamar Fray had long hoisted the Hanover community on her shoulders and thrust it into the spotlight of the glitz and glamour.

Fray's fashion brand, Castle the Collection, is linked to her childhood community of Chester Castle. The brand is the official carrier of Rebel Salute 2023 merchandise.

"Castle the Collection is a brand that came up right in the pandemic. I got a vision and I decided, when you have a vision, you just have to follow and this has become my baby because my baby is now walking," said Fray who now resides overseas.

She said that when the name 'Castle the Collection' came to her in the vision she didn't immediately connect the dots between it and her home town.

"But after I realised, [I said] you know what, it's a good thing. I'm from Chester Castle so it's great to have something that connects to me."

Launched in 2019, Castle the Collection distributes lounge wear, accessories, footwear and other apparel through its online platforms. Fray told THE STAR that apparel is just the beginning of what she wants to achieve with the brand.

"Fashion is just the beginning of what I really want to do. My brand Castle the Collection is for the person; I want to help kids. Education is very important to me so my brand can take me places and to the right persons to help those kids in my community," Fray said.

She continued, "It's a big thing for me to be carrying the [Rebel Salute] merchandise because in a couple of months I'm planning to do something to give back to my community in Chester Castle, so I'm just excited."

Chester Castle recently shot into the public spotlight after residents descended on an absorption pit there in search of gold. Having discovered mineral deposits in the pit, which was under construction, the residents were convinced they had found gold. However, their hopes were dashed after the Mines and Geology Division of the Ministry of Transport and Mining declared the mineral to be pyrite, which is oftentimes mistaken for gold, therefore earning it the name 'fool's gold'. It was not the news Fray and other Chester Castle natives wanted.

"I wish it was true, it would have been great for the community," she said.