News
Life’s a Bēchë for TCI’s Cyprianna Jackson
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, August 22, 2022 – Over a decade ago, Cyprianna Jackson left the Turks and Caicos Islands to study pre-medicine and ended up with a Master’s degree in Epidemiology. Today she is making her mark in the fashion industry, having launched a scintillating beachwear line: Bēchë.
The tropical designs do a remarkable job of fusing whimsy and sophistication for attire which has captured the attention of iconic fashion magazines, including British Vogue.
Hers is an interesting journey and in a one on one with Magnetic Media, Jackson explained to how one goes from an aspiring doctor to an epidemiologist to internationally acclaimed fashion designer; the journey may surprise you.
“Honestly I don’t have any background in fashion apart from being a consumer.”
Jackson, who is a stunningly beautiful woman herself, is clearly a lover of all things gorgeous; she explained, She had never aspired to become a fashion designer but always had a love for beautiful bikinis and with the advent of Instagram in her college years in Florida the love grew.
“That is truly all of my experience in fashion. I can’t even say I have any family members involved in fashion.” She said.
But once Ms. Jackson came home to the Turks and Caicos from college, her supply of bathing suits became basically non-existent.
“So I’m going around and I see that there is no swimwear stores and the hotel boutiques that did sell swimwear were from these really expensive brands all over the world even Australia and the US— there was nothing that I think complimented the Turks and Caicos. There was nothing that was inspired by or even resembles who we are, the colors, the culture of who we are and the people,” she shared.
Realizing that the Turks and Caicos culture was not on display for the locals or visitors Jackson set out to change that and to show the soul of the Turks and Caicos through swimwear. That inspired her to create Bēchë which she was determined would not just be cute clothing.
“It’s not just swimwear but also storytelling of the TCI and our culture through each of the collections so that we are like a walking history lesson.”
And Jackson has managed to do just that, in the five years since Bēchë launched the brand has released three
collections; the flagship collection with Turks and Caicos lettering and coat of arms imagery, the Maskanoo collection in celebration of the yearly Christmas event in the TCI and the Reef collection in celebration of the Island’s reefs, part proceeds of which go to the Turks and Caicos Reef Fund.
“Physical inspiration is definitely how aesthetically pleasing my country is with our native flowers, beaches, and trees but I think apart from the things we can see physically I do, do some deep diving.” She explained,
That ‘deep diving’ includes inspiration from the undersea reefs and coming soon, the Turks and Caicos’ history as a salt producing nation.
All three collections are filled with pieces that are undeniably inspired by Jackson’s homeland. The brand was a hit at home and it wasn’t long before the international community started to take notice.
“I absolutely love that Bēchë is getting the attention of various industry professionals whether it be magazine photographers or even different production companies,” Jackson said
That attention has landed her in some of the top magazines in the world including Vogue, Condé Nast and Sports
illustrated and many other smaller features as well as the premier swimwear show Miami Swim Week.
Jackson was scouted by a company and invited to participate because they were so impressed with her work.
“Flying Solo out of New York City reached out because they work with, on an annual basis, fresh new designers. They showcase at Paris Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week, and this is their second or third time doing Miami swim week so they were scouting swimwear brands from all over the world and it just happened that they selected Bēchë as a ones to watch for 2022/2023 and that landed me a slot in their showcase.”
The exposure from Miami Swim week was “exponential,” Jackson said.
“From a design perspective it was a whirlwind. It was so great to network with like-minded creatives, do press interviews and just have people experience Bēchë and see it on a runway and international stage and to have people know it and inquire about orders. It was just a great experience”
But Jackson is determined Bēchë won’t peak here as she still has big dreams for the company. She hopes to make
Miami swim week a yearly occurrence for and in a decade Cyprianna wants the brand to at least have its own storefront and smaller stores in the US as well as contracts with retail chain stores to put her brand out there even more.
“I hope to take Turks and Caicos with me-– that’s the main purpose of the brand ” she explained, This philosophy has been a long-standing one as even before she started Bēchë and throughout her success one thing that has bothered Jackson is the lack of TCI owned businesses on the islands.
“There were just gaps that I was identifying in our cultural presence in the community I was noticing that there’s not much of a cultural representation of who we are. I realized that you know if it’s more of a social problem that we have because I wasn’t identifying much local brands in general.
I was familiar with at the time Konk Apparel and the Wellington Collection— but there was nothing that was a standing piece of fashion from a Turks and Caicos Islander.”
She has advice for Turks and Caicos Islands youth looking to start up a business of their own on the islands: “My biggest takeaway truly is that it’s achievable, one of the issues for young people and returning students is that being from a small country we think there’s a ceiling.”
Cyprianna Jackson, whose mother is Sabrina Green, the TCIs Human Rights Commissioner explained that there were many discouraging barriers to being an entrepreneur on the Turks and Caicos Islands but she hoped her success was a beacon for other islanders with idea.
Jackson hopes it encourages them to focus on the bigger picture and the wider world noting that if she had depended on the TCI market alone she would’ve shut down years ago.
Finally she maintained that belief in a dream was the thing that would push it furthest and encourage them not to be
afraid to stay away from people who reacted negatively to their dreams.
“Long-term dedication is the key to making anything successful, Surround yourself with people that motivate and push you and believe in your dreams as well.” She stressed.
You can see Jackson’s designs at www.shopbeche.com .
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey has been recognised for his contribution to national security and the tourism industry, receiving the Distinguished Civic Service Award at the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association’s Star Awards held on February 19, 2026 at Beaches Turks and Caicos.
The annual awards ceremony is the premier recognition event for the territory’s hospitality sector, bringing together industry leaders,
executives and frontline professionals to celebrate excellence and the individuals whose work strengthens the destination’s global reputation.
Commissioner Bailey was honoured for his strategic leadership in the fight against crime and the measurable reductions in major offences, efforts widely credited with improving public confidence and reinforcing the Turks and Caicos Islands’ standing as a safe and competitive tourism jurisdiction.
In accepting the award, the Commissioner dedicated the recognition to the officers and staff of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, praising their commitment and professionalism in what he described as a collective national effort to make the islands more secure.
The TCHTA Star Awards spotlight the link between public safety and tourism performance, acknowledging that a stable and safe environment is essential to visitor confidence, investment and the continued growth of the sector.
This year’s ceremony featured high-energy hosting by Super P the Entertainer, with Omega serving as awards announcer, as the industry gathered to honour the people and partnerships that continue to elevate the Turks and Caicos brand.
(Providenciales – Monday, March 2, 2026) TCI Hospital proudly announces the successful achievement of its Heart Strong TCI initiative, a comprehensive Heart Month campaign focused on raising awareness and strengthening cardiovascular disease prevention efforts across the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the Turks and Caicos Islands, highlighting the critical need for sustained public education, risk-factor reduction, and early intervention. The Heart Strong TCI initiative was designed to actively engage the community through education, outreach, and physical activity.
Key Activities Included:
Educational Training Sessions
Healthcare professionals conducted structured sessions addressing hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol management, nutrition, exercise, smoking cessation, and the early warning signs of heart disease.
House Call Talk Show Feature
A dedicated Heart Month episode of the hospital’s House Call program provided expert discussion on cardiovascular risk factors and prevention strategies, empowering viewers with practical, evidence-based guidance.
Red Fridays Awareness Campaign
Throughout the month, staff wore red every Friday to increase visibility around heart disease awareness and reinforce the campaign’s message within the community.
Heart Strong 5K Walk/Run
In collaboration with the Rotary Club, TCI Hospital hosted a community-wide 5K walk/run to promote physical activity as a cornerstone of
heart health. The walk/run also provided an opportunity for community screening.
Digital Health Education Campaign
To expand its reach, TCI Hospital also shared ongoing heart health education tips and prevention messages across its social media platforms, including Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. These posts provided actionable guidance on diet, exercise, blood pressure control, and lifestyle modification, and encouraging community members to learn CPR.
Heart Strong TCI: A Continuous Commitment
While Heart Month has officially ended, Heart Strong TCI represents an ongoing institutional commitment to cardiovascular disease prevention and awareness. TCI Hospital will continue to prioritize:
- Community-based education initiatives
- Preventative screening and early detection programs
- Lifestyle and wellness promotion
- Strategic partnerships that advance public health outcomes
“Heart Strong TCI is not limited to a single month,” CEO, Dr. Denise Braithwaite-Tennant. “Cardiovascular disease prevention requires sustained effort. We remain committed to promoting healthy hearts across the Turks and Caicos Islands year-round.”
For more information about cardiovascular health services or upcoming screening initiatives, please contact TCI Hospital at 649-941-2800 in Providenciales, 649-941-2900 in Grand Turk or email us at info@interhealthcanada.tc
About TCI Hospital
TCI Hospital is dedicated to delivering high-quality healthcare services to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, with a strong emphasis on prevention, education, and community wellness.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 27 February 2026: Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, today announced the appointment of Mr. Darius E. Ferguson as a Member of the Integrity Commission Board, serving as the Chartered Accountant Member in accordance with Section 3(2)(a) of the Integrity Commission Ordinance. His appointment is for a period of three (3) years and follows consultation with the President of the Turks and Caicos Islands Society of Professional Accountants.
Mr. Ferguson, with family ties to Providenciales and South Caicos, is a Chartered Accountant with over twenty years of senior leadership
experience across aviation, finance, technology and consultancy, he brings a strong and diverse background in financial governance, regulatory compliance and strategic planning.
A former Chief Financial Officer of Sky Bahamas Airlines for a decade, Mr. Ferguson managed all financial reporting, regulatory engagement, capital projects and commercial development initiatives. He previously served in senior audit roles at both Ernst & Young LLP and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, leading high‑risk audit engagements and ensuring adherence to international financial and accounting standards.
Throughout his career, Mr. Ferguson has demonstrated a strong commitment to professional ethics, community leadership and organisational accountability. His experience across corporate governance, financial oversight, and operational risk management will bring valuable strategic insight to the Integrity Commission.
Her Excellency the Governor welcomed the appointment, stating:
“Mr. Ferguson’s extensive background in financial management, auditing and governance, together with his leadership experience across both corporate and community sectors, make him well‑suited to serve on the Integrity Commission. His appointment strengthens our ongoing commitment to integrity, transparency and accountability in public life. I am confident that he will make a meaningful contribution to the Commission’s important work.”
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