Rooted in the Islands, Rising in the 6ix: Omari Roach Brings Caribbean Creativity to Toronto

Multidisciplinary creative Omari “Oms” Roach noticed a void of Caribbean energy in Toronto—and set out to fill it. Through his dynamic projects, he’s brought vibrant island influence to the city’s creative scene. In a conversation with Kaboom Magazine, Roach opens up about his journey and the world he’s building through art and design

Omari “Oms” Roach, creative director, and entrepreneur

At 25, Omari “Oms” Roach never expected his path to unfold this way. What began as a move for academic growth soon evolved into a personal journey of identity, culture, and creative expression—anchored by his passion for branding, design, and community.

Born in Trinidad and raised in Barbados, Roach relocated to Canada in 2018 to pursue higher education. Now a graphic designer, creative director, and entrepreneur, he’s leaving a bold imprint on Toronto’s creative scene with work that fuses fashion, branding, and Caribbean culture.

Deeply connected to the Caribbean’s diverse cultural heritage, Roach’s design approach is rich with vintage aesthetics. He blends midtones, threshold effects, and traditional Caribbean motifs to craft nostalgic yet visually arresting pieces that reflect his unique artistic lens.

Omari has always had a natural pull toward the arts, even when he was encouraged to take the more traditional path. “Growing up, I was taught to take the safe route,” he says. “But when I got to university in Toronto, I realized that opportunities come to those who make their own.”

It was through meeting like-minded creatives and seeing people who looked like him thrive that he found the confidence to embrace his creative instincts.

While his degree is in business, it was only after graduation that he truly dove into the world of graphic design, taking a professional course in 2023 to sharpen his skills. Prior to that, he’d already dipped his toes into visual storytelling through photography, sewing, and even modeling—all with the goal of building a compelling personal brand.

By mid-2024, he realized that design wasn’t just a skill to complement his ventures, but a tool for cultural storytelling and brand building at the highest level.

His creative energy is rooted in the people around him. Being part of a vibrant circle that includes photographers, musicians, designers, and videographers constantly fuels his ideas.

But his deepest inspiration comes from home - specifically, his father. Omari explained, “He’s a DJ, entrepreneur, photographer. Basically someone who gets things done. Watching him create things that brought people joy really shaped my outlook.”

“We’d go to events, but the music felt stuck in the past - no Trini or Bajan dancehall, no steam, no bouyon”

That mix of creative drive and entrepreneurial mindset would go on to define Omari’s own ventures. The driving force behind his work is unmistakable: the Caribbean. But not just the stereotypical image of palm trees and parties. Omari is committed to showing the layered, authentic Caribbean experience.

“There’s so much more to our lifestyle than just sun, sea, and sand,” he says. “I’m all about telling stories that tap into the deeper, real essence of our culture.”

That passion began materializing through SATIN International - a lifestyle brand he co-founded as a teenager with Lex Carter, Rayliotta, and Liam Russell.

Back in Barbados, SATIN gained recognition for pop-ups, house parties, and football tournaments that gave young people fresh, curated experiences. When he moved to Toronto, SATIN evolved and eventually gave rise to a new project that would gain even more momentum: SESSIONS.

SESSIONS was born from a collaboration between SATIN and Kyron Richards’ brand, RICHEST Atelier. What started as a response to the lack of authentic Caribbean experiences in Toronto quickly turned into something bigger.

“We’d go to events, but the music felt stuck in the past - no Trini or Bajan dancehall, no steam, no bouyon,” Omari recalls. Their events filled a void in the city’s nightlife and quickly drew attention from major industry players, including Warner Music Canada.

“was always doodling—on exam papers, in my mom’s office notebook… that playful energy is still central to how I create.”

But the mission grew beyond nightlife. SESSIONS evolved into a platform for showcasing Caribbean creatives - artists, DJs, and designers who lacked visibility in Canada’s saturated cultural space.

With nearly a year under their belt, the collective has hosted multiple events, conducted interviews, and built a loyal following. “We’re positioning SESSIONS to be ready for the next level,” Omari says confidently.

On a more personal creative level, Omari created suvy.studio - his digital gallery space aimed at highlighting Caribbean culture through art and design. “I see it as my own personal art gallery,” he says, with plans for a physical showcase in the future.

Omari’s creative process is grounded in nostalgia and intuition. He often draws from music, old Caribbean commercials, and conversations with friends and family. “If a song by Prince Swanny gets stuck in my head, I’ll find myself creating a poster in my style that mirrors the energy and story of the track.”

His approach is playful, imaginative, and reflective of his upbringing. “I was always doodling—on exam papers, in my mom’s office notebook… that playful energy is still central to how I create.”

When asked about challenges, Oms is candid: “Right now, I don’t really find anything too challenging, probably because I’ve got a lot of confidence in my work.”

"If a song by Prince Swanny gets stuck in my head, I’ll find myself creating a poster in my style that mirrors the energy and story of the track"

But that wasn’t always the case. Earlier on, he struggled with self-doubt and outside opinions. It took time to learn the value of focusing on one craft instead of spreading himself too thin. “Master of one is better than master of none—that’s something I stand by now.”

As for building traction, his approach is simple: release the work. “Even if it’s not your best, just put it out there. Art is always subjective, and content is king. Consistency is key.”

Looking ahead, Omari sees his future in scaling the ventures he’s built from scratch. He believes SESSIONS has the potential to become one of the biggest Caribbean brands worldwide, and that SATIN will continue to grow into one of the Caribbean’s most original streetwear names.

“Branding takes time—look at the brands we admire; they’ve been around for decades. I’m in it for the long game.”

Personally, he wants to deepen his role in the entertainment industry - designing for artists, events, and merch as well as continue pushing Caribbean culture onto the international stage. “As long as I stay committed, everything will fall into place. Even if it’s just 10% more every day.”