Urban Vine Media

By Dwayne Hinds
Fashion & Politics

In the rich and turbulent currents of Jamaican politics, where tradition and patriarchy still echo in the halls of Gordon House, one woman has sailed boldly, unapologetically, and stylishly ahead of her time. Lisa Hanna—beauty queen turned Member of Parliament, pageant icon turned policy maker—has transformed what it means to be a woman in power. In her, elegance and governance are not opposites, but perfect partners.

To say that Lisa Hanna is fashionable is true but insufficient. She is not just stylish—she is deliberate. Every outfit is a statement; every gesture, a message. For her, fashion is not a distraction—it’s a strategic accessory to her intellect, activism, and influence. And in a world where women leaders are often told to either dim their light or dull their looks to be taken seriously, Lisa Hanna has mastered the rare art of doing neither.

Before she was the Honourable Lisa Hanna, she was Miss World 1993—a title that catapulted her into the global spotlight. But rather than fading into the quiet luxury of a modeling career or media hosting, she took a road less traveled: she entered the male-dominated world of Jamaican politics.

It was a bold move—one met with skepticism from detractors who couldn’t fathom that a beauty queen could understand macroeconomics, youth policy, or constitutional reform. Hanna proved them wrong. Time and again. Her journey from glamour to governance wasn’t a costume change; it was a metamorphosis that preserved her charisma and confidence while sharpening her command of national issues.

In Parliament, Lisa Hanna doesn’t just take her seat—she takes command. Known for her love of sharply cut suits, structured dresses, and effortless Caribbean silhouettes, Hanna never uses fashion to hide. Instead, she uses it to highlight: her confidence, her readiness, her edge.

Where some female politicians default to boxy blazers in forgettable shades, Hanna opts for clean, fitted lines and confident colors. She pairs power suits with bold accessories—statement earrings, oversized shades, or sharp heels—and yet, she never crosses the line into ostentation. Her look is regal but grounded, commanding but warm.

Hanna has often been photographed wearing all-white ensembles during speeches—a visual metaphor for transparency and reform. At other times, she chooses earth tones that echo the Caribbean soil she so passionately advocates for. Her signature style includes sleeveless sheath dresses, high-waisted trousers, and flowing fabrics that nod to both international sophistication and island ease.

Unlike many in politics who see fashion as a frivolous afterthought or a political liability, Hanna embraces it as part of her political identity. In a world of image-first politics, she has turned the spotlight into a platform.

Fashion as Soft Power

Soft power—the ability to influence through attraction and appeal—is one of Lisa Hanna’s strongest political tools. She understands that connection begins visually. When she steps into a room, her presence demands attention—not by force, but by finesse. Her fashion isn’t about distraction; it’s about strategy.

Lisa doesn’t overdo it. She knows when to wear jeans and a loose shirt to a community walk-through in St. Ann and when to don a sleek blazer and pumps for a national policy meeting. Her fashion is contextual, curated, and unfailingly appropriate—a lesson many politicians across the globe have yet to master.

Her social media presence, where she’s often seen in casual kaftans, gym wear, or beach-friendly cottons, further humanizes her. She is the rare public figure who can look good in both Parliament and a pineapple field. That relatability has helped her build a broad fanbase among women, youth, and fashion-forward professionals who see her not just as a politician but as a cultural figure.

Yes—Lisa Hanna is sexy. But not in the reductive, commercialized sense. Her sexiness is layered with intelligence, warmth, and confidence. It’s in how she makes eye contact during an interview. It’s in the calm precision with which she questions policies. It’s in the fearless way she reclaims her own narrative.

Many women in public life are punished for being too feminine or too attractive. Hanna flips the script. She refuses to apologize for her beauty or downplay her sensuality. Instead, she infuses it into her identity and uses it as fuel.

In Jamaica—where politics can sometimes carry the air of aggression—Hanna’s brand of soft, feminine, elegant leadership is quietly revolutionary. She leads with the grace of a queen and the firmness of a general. She dares to wear a high slit or bare shoulders, not to seduce, but to signal freedom from antiquated norms.

Her confidence is disarming. She doesn’t need to yell to be heard, nor masculinize herself to gain respect. She earns it by being fully herself—and that is the new face of leadership.

Designer Diplomacy

A strong supporter of local creatives, Lisa Hanna often showcases Jamaican and Caribbean designers in her wardrobe. She understands the economic and symbolic importance of fashion in national identity. When she wears local brands, she’s not just showing style—she’s showing solidarity.

Designers like Kadian Nicely, Uzuri International, and Carlton Brown have all found space in her wardrobe. She uses her visibility to promote fashion as economic policy, encouraging the Caribbean’s creative industries to flourish and find pride of place on the global stage.

By choosing regional couture over foreign luxury brands, Hanna sends a powerful message: we are enough. Our designers are talented, our fabrics are world-class, and our stories deserve to be stitched into garments worn on the world stage.

It’s hard not to compare Lisa Hanna’s image-conscious approach with the male political figures of Jamaica. Where Prime Minister Andrew Holness is often seen in basic suits and uninspired combinations—except, notably, for his love of overpriced Clarks shoes—Hanna’s fashion choices tell a fuller story.

While Holness is frequently critiqued for spending on image while Jamaicans suffer under rising costs, Hanna’s aesthetic feels more intentional, inclusive, and economically relevant. Her wardrobe doesn’t feel out of reach or disconnected—it feels aspirational, yes, but grounded in pride and purpose.

She doesn’t flaunt wealth—she embodies class. She doesn’t try to look foreign—she amplifies the Jamaican aesthetic. And unlike others who rely on PR-heavy campaigns to appear approachable, Hanna’s image has organically evolved from authenticity.

Without shouting slogans, Lisa Hanna embodies a new kind of feminism. She is the woman who doesn’t flinch in the face of misogyny. The woman who walks into an all-male meeting, dressed to perfection, and makes the room recalibrate.

She is a champion of women not just through words, but by example. Her mere presence in Parliament—elegant, intelligent, and confident—forces a rethinking of what leadership looks like. She mentors young women, supports female entrepreneurs, and defends policies that affect mothers, single women, and rural girls.

Her fashion, in many ways, is a feminist toolkit. It challenges the notion that power must be dressed in gray. It asserts that a woman in red lipstick can still write legislation, that high heels don’t impede policy-making, and that self-love is part of public service.

Lisa Hanna transcends politics. She is not just a Member of Parliament—she is a Caribbean icon. In her, Jamaicans see the possibilities of brilliance and beauty, of grace and grit. She is one of the few figures who can attend a town hall, a state dinner, and a beach clean-up—all in the same weekend—and look not only appropriate but inspiring at each.

She represents not just a generation of voters, but a generation of dreamers—people who want to be seen, respected, and reflected in their leaders. Her fashion is a gift to those people. It tells them, without saying a word: “I see you. I am you. And we are rising together.”

Lisa Hanna walks a line few dare to tread. She is fashion-forward yet politically sharp. She is sensual yet serious. She is polished but never plastic. And above all, she is authentically Jamaican.

In an era where authenticity is currency, Lisa Hanna remains wealthy beyond measure. She redefines what it means to lead as a woman, not by compromising, but by leaning into her full self—with strength, softness, style, and substance.

She is the face of modern leadership—not just in Jamaica, but across the Caribbean. And she reminds us, every time she steps into public view, that true power is not just about how loud you are. Sometimes, it’s about how gracefully you stand, how boldly you dress, and how fiercely you believe.

Sidebar: Lisa Hanna’s Signature Style Essentials

• The White Suit – Symbolic of transparency and power; frequently worn for high-level speeches.
• Linen & Earth Tones – Ideal for her rural community events, reflecting island comfort and accessibility.
• Statement Accessories – From bold earrings to gold cuffs, her pieces speak volumes without shouting.
• Bare Shoulders, Soft Waves – Pageant roots reimagined for modern politics; confidence without compromise.
• Support for Local Designers – She champions Jamaican creatives by wearing their work on national platforms.