While studying abroad, Brian Watler Jr. set out to find something simple, a shirt that could represent Cayman at an international festival. Surrounded by students proudly wearing pieces that reflected their countries, he realized Cayman had no equivalent that was readily accessible. That absence became the starting point of Awleh!
Brian’s first design was not the one people recognize today. He described it as unbalanced and, in his own words, “ugleh.”
Despite the favorable public response, he continued to refine it.
He reworked the Union Jack, adjusted the overall structure, and developed the design until it reached a point that felt right.
: Most ideas fail early because they are judged too quickly. Brian let the idea evolve until it could stand.
Awleh! has since extended to a full suite of merch, products and collectibles.
“Awleh” is rooted in a word Brian’s great grandmother used often, a variation tied to “Almighty,” woven into everyday Caymanian expression. His great grandmother was known for her connection to the land, especially her garden. Even in her later years, she remained committed to it, moving with purpose, tending to what she had planted.
Awleh! follows the same pattern. Something planted simply, nurtured over time, shaped through care and consistency.
Brian’s journey is defined by a pattern of decisions:
That is the nature of creative work. You rarely know what something will become when you start. The value is not in predicting the outcome, but in committing to the process.
[Photos courtesy of Awleh]
Featuring: Brian Watler Jr. | Creator of Awleh!
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