Month: June 2012

JASMINE, JAZZWAD, ESTELLE AND BOUNTY KILLER ON LION’S CORNER. JAMAICA.
So if you recall last week I experienced Caribbean fashion week in Kingston Jamaica and whilst there was fortunate to be able to hang out with my West London girl Estelle. After Estelle performed at day 1 of the fashion event we ended up at local nightclub Fiction where I expected lots of dancehall and soca like I used to enjoy at infamous Kingston nightspot Asylum. But alas Asylum no longer exists and the night at Fiction , whilst extremely fun, played mostly European dance music and which I’d come to JA to escape!

ESTELLE AND SEAN PAUL’S MANAGER AND MAN ABOUT TOWN STEVE WILSON AT FICTION NIGHTCLUB. JAMAICA.
Lovely Steve Wilson (Sean Paul’s manager and loyal friend) looked after us whilst out and about and we all had a great night with me ordering cranberry juice and often finding it spiked with vodka. I felt obliged to down a coffee liquor shot too. It was delicious and luckily afterwards I was still standing!.

PR LADY JESSICA HUIE, JASMINE AND ESTELLE AT FICTION NIGHTCLUB. JA.
The next morning Estelle and I hung out by the pool, took silly paparazzi pics of each other on our opposite facing balconies and had a drink on her hotel suite balcony (of some lovely Ethiopian honey wine which the islands legend-lovely Moira Morgan had brought me the day before). We had a good old chinwag about fashion and music. Stell said she had been to JA twice before and that it was ‘’always a big moment. I’ve never been here and it’s not been amazing. I come to Jamaica to work, play and chill. After all anything else would be a disservice!’’
We laughed at the stereotypes that the world tends to have about Jamaica being about only Bob Marley, reggae and weed. Stell shook her head in disbelief adding ‘’in my experience, it’s a stunning island of stunning people. There’s no trouble, if you don’t start nothing there won’t be nothing. I’ve never experienced the crazy side of the hood out here. There’s no threat’’.
We both agreed that we were very impressed by our 1st Caribbean fashion week with the audience looking ultra slick and so glam it could may well have been a New York fashion week audience! We also noted that the fashion lines from JA could easily make it on an international catwalk but that they needed to brand it better by dressing local acts that were big internationally in designs and with their athletes always being front and center of many sports that there was branding potential here too. With it being Jamaica’s 50-year celebrations all across the world coming up there’s no better time!
Stell wanted to shout out Brit designer Gavin Douglas who had shown his collection the previous night ‘’I did Rip the Runway with him in New York. He makes bodices and structured clothing so well. He also made stuff for my Shine tour. I didn’t originally know he was a Brit. My stylist then-Karen Binns-brought him to my attention’’.
Being all over fashion blogs for her edgy fashionable looks I asked Stell what piece of advice she would give to designers out here trying to break the big market internationally? She stated ‘’Pay attention to what women’s bodies look like in your city. Do stuff that’s gonna make the women of your city look good and then women worldwide see that. For example emphasize the tits and ass and small waists from JA’’.
Stell’s current fashion favourites and trends include peplums which she smiles ‘’gives women waists and beautifully accentuates waists’’. However she thoroughly disapproves of leopard print pants on dudes stating band LMFAO and Lil Wayne as big culprits.
She also pondered and wondered ‘’who dresses Jessie J?. She’s an incredible singer but is she dressing for stage or comfort? She may be comfy but doesn’t often look like it. I think you have to evolve. I’ve had my own mishaps. I’m sure I’ve had stage outfits that have affected my performance. I know now that they should be comfy. Also however an artist evolves the clothes have to be you-be real!’’

ESTELLE AND JASMINE AT THE LEGENDARY MARLEY FAMILY STUDIOS- TUFF GONG!.
We then jumped into the ride to go to the legendary Tuff Gong studios where she was rehearsing and whilst there we reminisced about Estelle’s journey so far and she revealed that her 4th studio album ‘’All of me’’ reached all her expectations and that she has started recording the 5th already. ‘‘The 4th album was to get people to understand who I am but now I have to evolve and do me. My fans have expectations and some still want another 1980 or American boy but now I do what the hell I want to do. That’s why people like me. I do me for me. Not other people. Let me live! LOL’’
Then we hurried ourselves up to get out for our day of adventure as Stell ended on the fact that she wanted to make feature films next. She revealed that she’s been auditioning like crazy. ‘‘The films are always music based. They send me quite meaty stuff in scripts and there have also been a few younger sister roles. So now I have to work on my American accent’’. (She’s been hanging out with film maker Noel Clarke in L.A so who knows what could be on the cards for her next!)

JASMINE, ESTELLE, BOUNTY KILLER, JAZZWAD AND FRIENDS STRIKE A POSE.
After rehearsal we drove up the road to Lion’s Corner where we hung out with superstar Bounty Killer as Estelle’s team shot some footage for one of her forthcoming new videos (no she never stops working!). Whilst chatting with him I heard someone yell ‘’Yo Jasmine!’’ I looked around timidly to spot none other than reggae producer extraordinaire Jazzwad hanging out too. We caught up and he revealed he’s been working on a lot of new music whilst moving from London to Jamaica and we will hear some of his new stuff with Bounty Killer very soon.

PR MAVEN JESSICA HUIE, JASMINE, ESTELLE AND BEENIE MAN ON HELLSHIRE BEACH.JAMAICA.
Straight after that we jumped into the ride to head down to Hellshire Beach where we met up with the don Beenie Man who was shooting a video of his own. The beach vibe was so amazing and like nothing I’ve experienced before.

JASMINE, JESS AND ESTELLE ENJOY FRESHLY FRIED AND SEASONED PARROT FISH AND RED SNAPPER STRAIGHT FROM THE JAMAICAN OCEAN.
The sound systems and DJ’s were jamming in the daylight, fresh fish was frying straight out of the sea, local families were splashing in and out of the water.

JASMINE, ESTELLE AND JESSICA HORSE AROUND ON HELLSHIRE BEACH. JA.
On the adjacent beach there was the biggest, wildest dancehall party kicking off with girls and guys all in their beachwear daggering and wining for all they were worth! We were in heaven!
As we ended the night Estelle popped her arms across my shoulders and smiled ‘’London I love you but I’m having a ball in Jamaica!. The recent gig I played at London’s Jazz Café made me realise I’m not crazy. It restored my faith in myself. Sometimes people say stuff to make you doubt yourself so it was good to see the affirmation at home. New york. L.A. London. Jamaica. I have that same touchstone moment in all these places and I feel lucky to call many home!”

JASMINE WITH THE LEGEND THAT IS A VERY DEMURE LADY SAW AT CARIBBEAN FASHION WEEK.

It was clear even before I got off the plane from Gatwick to Jamaica that Jamaican folk have style like no other! The passengers on my BA flight were testament to the fact.
Both elderly ladies and young toddlers with short Mohican hairstyles cut into their Afro’s. Mothers with bright red and orange hairstyles. Teenagers with ripped stone washed jeans. Men with their shades at the back of their heads. Blonde asymmetrical hairstyles. Bright talon like nails. Basically, my plane looked like a flying fashion show! And true to the dynamic Jamaican demeanor, when the plane touched down in Kingston, the plane broke out into rapturous applause and cries of jubilation. Yes-I knew I was about to have a great few days.
However I was stopped in my tracks as we queued up to go through customs as I suddenly heard my name called repeatedly over the tannoy. ‘‘Can passenger Jasmine Dotiwala who recently arrived on the British Airways flight make herself known to an officer!’’. Gulp. my host Jessica Huie and I exchanged horrified glances as I blurted ‘’honestly my passports with me and I’m not smuggling in anything’’. We gingerly approached the officials who basically smiled and informed us they were here to meet and greet me and ensure swift and easy transport through customs to our driver. Phew.

THE VERY IMPRESSIVE BREAKFAST MENU AT JUICI PATTI FAST FOOD IN KINGSTON, JA.

Accompanied by head of international PR Jessica Huie, we were here for Caribbean Fashion Week, which had the city of Kingston buzzing with designers, models and the very fabulous fashion industry big wigs attending. We had a few diva demands of our own and were staying at the hotel with the best pool in town-the Pegasus- where we ordered curry goat and rice on arrival, gobbled it down poolside before rushing to our rooms to change for the opening reception the same night at the uber classy Spanish Court hotel.
The reception gave me a good inkling that this crowd was not just stylish but classy and sophisticated with very graceful, beautiful Jamaican women smiling and holding very articulate conversation everywhere you looked.
The next morning was the opening press conference for all journalists both local and international (like London’s luxury fashion consultant David Jones and Jamaican Observer writer Novia McDonald-Whyte), where the main man Kingsley Cooper (CEO Pulse who organized CFW) welcomed everyone and told us all about the few days ahead, what to expect, and that this week was not simply about showing great designs but getting them out to an international market so that the designers could make a living. He laughed ‘’ its lovely to see fashion on the catwalk but when it comes off it needs to go to the bank!’’
Also in attendance was Shurwayne Winchester (soca musician from Trinidad and Tobago, who has twice won the Road March title). He took the mic at the podium and sang his appreciation LOL.

JASMINE WITH TRINI SOCA STAR SHURWAYNE AT THE CARIBBEAN FASHION WEEK OPENING PRESS CONFERENCE.

The thing I became quickly aware of was that the old fashioned stereotypes about what Kingston Jamaica was about are truly gone and buried. The often-misrepresented international idea that this city is a corrupt, violent nightmare couldn’t be further from the truth. We could’ve been at any major fashion week in New York or London the way the organization and visuals stood so far.
If you think about it, this big Caribbean island sets trends all across the western world. In western slanguage with patois infiltrating the English language, dances like the bogle, butterfly, willi bounce, thunderclap, Nuh Linga, Tek Weh Yourself and Daggering. Music from Bounty Killer, Beenie Man and more, drinks like rum punches, dancehall fashion that mainstream designers like D&G often imitate and more. Some say that now’s the time to get on board. I say we’ve all always been aboard-we just don’t realize it.

ONE OF MY FAVE DESIGNERS FROM CFW-FEMHEKA!

As we arrived at the Jamaican Indoor Sports Arena for day 1 of the show I noted that this was people watching on a higher scale. The audience was very ‘’sho-sho’’ and had made the ultimate effort to look uber fashionable. We had long classy regal gowns, short flesh baring dresses, ruffles, frills, coloured hair fashioned into hat shapes, Chrissy Lou heels of vertiginous nature and this was the fiercest most perfectly overdressed very expensive front row I had ever seen!. This front row was just as sexy as the collections we were there to see! Men in the front row were taking pics with their I Pads too.This is a crowd with much spending power that international designers are missing out on branding to big time!
I was sat sandwiched between Rita Marley and Lady Saw and was surprised to see that the real life persona of Lady Saw is really very ladylike, elegant and demure!

THIS DRESS TOOK MY BREATH AWAY!

The nightly shows were split into 3 main sections, each section with around 6 designers, broken up with free cocktails at the bar, which made for a long but fun evening. Designers that stood out for me on the first night were Sgfh by Kazz Forbes, which included short sexy colourful beach/ resort wear- in particular a stunning turquoise electric blue floaty dress. I also loved Femheka by Raxann Chin which was my fave- here I fell in lust with her striking long floaty Grecian one shouldered pretty princess gowns. We cheered patriotically for London based House of Oshae by Jhaniel Smith who had some gorgeous Organza outfits in neutral colours. We were debating whether we loved or hated Wilmas Original (by Wilma Stomp from Surinam) collection which showcased really clashing colours, prints and styles of structured jackets with clashing tartan waistcoats with boxy shorts.
As expected there were collections for the fuller figured woman-how could there not be? Kerry Kay by Kerry Christian more than proved that bigger framed ladies could work their sexy too-and the confident, swaggering models got massive cheers as they worked that catwalk runway!.
There was also a collection of glasses and specs which was quirky and sexy and had me feening to get my sexy secretary look on.
The models weren’t just stunning as expected, but their bodies were like racehorses. Curvy and strong in all the right places and they walked with such brilliant personalities. Haughty, jovial, feisty, elegant, nonchalant, perky-it was enchanting!

THE MODELS HAD BODIES LIKE RACEHORSES!

The men were particularly mesmerized at Olympia’s Fashion, which saw numerous very sexy red and gold swimwear.
Sea, sex, sun wasn’t just in the air but also the title of a collection by David André. There was much applause as white and Turquoise linen with cute ruffles and very clean lines resembling a St Barts crowd was shown.
The nice thing about the shows was that designers from all across the Caribbean were showing their designs in a collection of unity. Shelniel by Cassandra Motley from Barbados represented her island well as the Babans in the crowd cheered for her cute swimwear with jewel coloured fringing.
Not to be outdone next out the door was Hak Gwai By Lori Antoinette Williams from Trinidad who’s citrus coloured rain macs with cut out panels had the ladies oohing and ahhing.
There’s always much eagerness to see what veteran designer Meilling from Trinidad has to show and this was no exception as she shook up the stage with a live performance from a local music artist as her clothing featuring many flounces and peplums on white resort wear went down a treat and flounced along the runway.
One common theme amongst designers is long names and Bondig by Blondi by Dionne Richards was the next collection that made us sit up and look. Wild looks with bright orange and brocade. Shorts and crop tops. I noted miserably that you’d have to have a really skinny fat free figure to drop this collection but with its very over the top giant gold, studded denim I can imagine LA fashionista’s like Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton picking this up.
Finishing the show one night were Grammy Award-nominated Jamaican recording artist, Babycham and London’s very own Estelle.

TEAMUK PRINCESS ESTELLE PERFORMS TO HER FANS!

The Jamaican crowd were ecstatic at Babycham’s one hour long set during which they screamed, danced, shouting and became quite hysterical. I’d forgotten just how many hits he had! His set was wild and infectious with the crowd unable to stop bopping in their seats. When he brought out his wife Ophelia to help him sing his hits the audience went nuts at their energy. She who had never sung before and this being her 2nd ever show smacked it!

BOB MARLEYS DAUGHTER CEDELLA SHOWED OFF HER JAMAICA 2012 OLYPICS KIT.

Before Estelle came and closed the show the much-anticipated collection from bob Marley’s daughter Cedella Marley was shown. There was a long break before her set and we heard it was as she had insisted backstage that all the models change their hair and make up. (Diva!). It was worth it though once they re-emerged, the models were all hyped up and dancing along the catwalk. Models were throwing thunderbolts and gunshots as they rocked the Jamaica 2012 Olympic kit.
The crowd loved it with them all jamming in their seats, foghorns were being let off and blaring. Cedella had been asked to make the Jamaican Olympic teams kit with sports brand Puma so we saw the national flag colours Yellow, green and black on sexy dresses and swimwear. Marijuana leaf prints on sportswear (not sure how that will go down on official Olympic wear?) but it was a big moment! Cedella’s mother the great Rita Marley was sat next with us in the front row and they greeted each other with pride as cedilla took her final walk of jubilation. This range WILL sell!!
We ended the night all standing and singing along to Estelle who brought some international flavor with the crowd singing along to all her hits! Particularly her Euro dance sounding tracks, which the Jamaican crowd is really into judging by nightclub Fiction, which we attended that night!

MORE OF CEDELLA MARLEYS JAMAICA 2012 OLYMPICS TEAM KIT COLLECTION.

The next day I was given a surprise of my own as I was approached by a lady from Prive Blend called Claudine Forrester who introduced herself and informed me that she represented nail polish company Priti NYC in Jamaica and other territories and that they had mixed a nail colour in my honour called ‘’Jasmines Juice’’ after my VOICE column which apparently is popular out there! Well you could’ve knocked me down with a feather! My colour is a gorgeous classy egg shell princess pink- suitable with anything! They’re coming to London soon so you could have your own bespoke colour and name too!

The final night of shows brought out even glitzier crowds and excitement than the previous 2 days.
Gavin Douglas from the UK really impressed with his all black, ckean cut, very European lines which looked rich and sophisticated for a business woman with attitude!

JASMINE WITH PR MAVEN JESSICA HUIE AND UK DESIGNER AND VOGUE FAVOURITE-GAVIN DOUGLAS!
The Zadd and Eastman collection by Nigel Eastman and Ozman Khan was very well received. Set to a musical soundtrack of lovely French old skool black and white film music, the clothing showed regal rich textures juxtaposed with rainbow colours and was very wearable Parisian fare.

GRAMMY WINNING SUPERSTAR BRIAN MCKNIGHT REALLY IMPRESSED WITH HIS LIVE SET!

The whole event closed with 19 times Grammy nominated R&B superstar Brain McKnight who really put in a great set where he sang whilst playing both the piano and guitar at intervals. I was more intrigued to see if he would sing the P**** song that has caused him much Internet drama in recent weeks. Or whether he would acknowledge his twitter spats with fellow music stars like Chris Brown. Alas he didn’t and was the utmost professional.
The whole arena was turned out and screamed hard as he had them eating out the palm of his hand all night. With a lot of personality he was very entertaining and funny! He sang songs by other people who had inspired him like Michael Bolton, James Ingram, Stevie wonder and Michael Jackson.
When an eager fan in the crowd shouted pout a song title that they wanted Brian to sing he quipped “Its not request hour”. He continued “that’s my biggest fault-I can hear everything. In restaurants I hear folk say ‘huh he would never be with her if he couldn’t sing’ but I want to clarify that I have NEVER sung to a lady I am dating, my Mum said never use your talent for your own needs”. So ladies dating Brian wont get you serenaded!
He did clarify that to be serenaded by him you have to be following him on twitter and to prove the point he called out a twitter follower who he brought onstage to her utter hysteria and excitement. His fan, lucky lady Karisha was impressed.
He told us he felt that Spanish men with an Antonio Banderas accent can make anything sound sexy and proceeded to impersonate a sexy Spaniard.
I was surprised at how conversational and absolutely enrapturing this mans live show skills were-truly one of the best R&B shows I have seen!.
When he finished his set with the huge classic hit “Anytime”, the JA audience sing-along had to be heard to be believed- they sounded like a choir!
Can everyone in JA sing??

Everyone agreed that Caribbean Fashion Week 2012 exceeded its own expectations, with outstanding entertainment provided by Brian McKnight, Estelle, Baby Cham and Trinidad’s Shurwayne Winchester, enhancing a year which was particularly poignant as the 12th annual CFW came as Jamaica and Trinidad both celebrate fifty years of independence. 2012 saw a record-breaking number of designers on show, whether from the diaspora, such as Gavin Douglas, Shaco, or Tiger Lilly; or from within the region, such as the superb Meiling, Mutamba, or the Mushroom. The caliber of the collections on show was exceptional with UK fashion expert David Jones, credited with having taken Karen Millen from start-up to multi-million pound brand, blown away by the potential for Caribbean fashion on an international stage.

Some of the many highlights included Cedella Marley’s Olympic range for Puma and the Mission Catwalk finalists such as Crystal Powell and Ryan Chan. Brit boy Gavin Douglas (of Jamaican heritage) did Britain proud with his outstanding collection, emanating sophistication, drawing gasps from the audience and closing the show to applause.

The energy amongst the designers and attendees was electric, partly due to the fact that the Caribbean Export Development Agency, one of Caribbean Fashion week’s key sponsors, spent the weekend deciding on which handful of designers would be chosen to fly to London this August to stage a catwalk show at the plush Grosvenor Hotel as part of the African Caribbean Business Expo which aims to capitalize on the global spotlight on the Caribbean as a result of the Olympics, and raise awareness of the Caribbean’s creative industries which are ripe for investment and export opportunities. For the successful selected designers, it is a fantastic opportunity to launch their brand in an international market with the support of the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA) supporting and committed to driving regional growth.

CFW Founder Kingsley Cooper said, “ It’s been a great year and now we are intent on showing the fashion industry that we have design talent to compete in a global arena– our time is now.”

You don’t need to be the victor to be the ultimate winner. Everyone that has made it big has experienced bumps on the route to the top. Richard Branson didn’t do well in his education. Alicia keys and 50 cent were dropped numerous times by their record labels before making it. Destiny’s child lost their talent competition before hitting the big time. But the moral of the story is that those who persevere and don’t become disheartening and discouraged make it. It’s the old quote’’ slow and steady wins the race’’. The hare and the tortoise. The latest example of this is the British dance group Flawless who didn’t win Britain’s Got Talent but are now doing better than ever. This past weekend they performed alongside Kylie Minogue at Buckingham Palace for the Queens Jubilee and last weekend kicked off their UK tour with the English National Ballet at West London’s Hammersmith Apollo.
Both dance troupes brought their A GAME to the stage and performed a beautiful evening of dance, which included ballet, and street dance. The wonderful thing about this was as well as perform separate ballet and hip-hop dance sets, both groups performed together in each others skills. Also the great fact was that street dance fans that didn’t appreciate ballet were drawn in and got to engage with ballet, and ballet bods that weren’t really down with street dance were about to respect the art of street dance. It was an amazing recipe of mingling on a new level to witness.

I grew up dancing at ballet school with all my Royal Academy of Dancing ballet exams and taught ballet for a long time whilst simultaneously being involved in numerous street dance groups both on a street level where I was a break dancer (honestly-my street dancer name at the time was Minnie Minx inspired by Beano comics!). I also taught jazz at Pineapple Dance Studios as well as danced in hip-hop videos (real dance routines as opposed to sexy bikini dancing). So for me this was a dream come true type of show that I would be loved to have taken part in my self as a young dancer.
It was fascinating to see that the all male Flawless cast had trained up in balletstyles where they also actually lifted the all female English national ballet cast in pas de deux routines. It was mind blowing and looked so creative and new. The ballet ladies took on some street dance challenges too and whilst they were good-the boys most definitely piped them in the ‘’lets try each others techniques’’ battle.
Set in a school, the story focuses on dance school and a mad professor type that has a time machine. The dancers wear school uniform attire with sets that were amazingly creative with the school library, playground, dance studio and more.
The music was very diverse with classical pieces alongside modern day chart hits by Labrinth, Jay Z and Kanye, Cypress Hill, Maroon 5, Usher and more.

Post show, lead Flawless member Marlon told me that the show was put together in only 2 weeks training after a total of 6 weeksdiscussing how the show would be put together. Marlon explained that 1 person from both the (English national ballet) ENO and Flawless worked things out first. Marlon talked through the show and routines and then they nominated ‘team captains’ from both dance crews to choreograph the numbers.
Christian and Nathan were the dance captains from Flawless with Marlon as lead choreographer and Jenna Lee was the dance captain/ ENO choreographer.
Marlon also revealed that the male dancers from the ENO- came and helped on a couple of sessions on how to lift the ladies and helped with tips about where to hold them and so on. Marlon added that whilst this is an unforgettable experience for his group they did already have an appreciation and respect for ballet before this show.

The wonderful thing was that the show was great for all ages and classes. I loved the younger street dance styles, but there were also sections of old skool hip-hop dance sets too including steps and musicfrom eras of street dance.
A special shout out must go to the graphics team who really took the visuals to another level – a real arts fusion of dance, staging and visuals. Brilliantly present day and futuristic! For dates near you check out flawlessofficial.com . To see more backstage exclusive material from the show check out the flawless youtube channel flawless tube.
This was like a night at a West end musical and a full on ballet-a really worthwhile 23 hours viewing for anyone’s life! Do check out the uk tour as it sets off in the next few weeks until July 8th.

JASMINE WITH FAST GIRLS FILM PRODUCER DAMIAN JONES!
Next we hopped along to the film premiere for FAST GIRLS. The new film developed and produced by Damian Jones, featuring and written by our very own Noel Clarke.
The storyline centres on a street-smart runner who develops an intense rivalry with an equally ambitious wealthy young athlete. Locations in the film included Lee Valley Athletics Track, Crystal Palace, the Tate Modern and various London estates and nightclubs
Its so refreshing to see young actors in an urban London setting starring in a movie that has nothing to do with street issues or hip hop. Instead its topical in that it has an athletic theme, which is very apt now with the Olympics coming up. My mate Noel described the film as ‘’rocky but with girls in lycra!’’ Damian said that after working with Noel Clarke on Kidulthood and Adulthood, he approached Noel to write the script for the film. He added that every time he and Noel go out for dinner Noel is always on a healthy eating diet of salmon and veg (cos he’s bulking up for film parts) whilst he likes to tuck into a good ole plate of fish &chips LOL.
As Sarah cooper in Screendaily wrote ‘’It’s the first British film to have a mixed race girl as its central character, but not only that, five out of the six lead girls are black or mixed race. “Rest assured, that has never been done in this country,” says Clarke, who is becoming something of a champion for strong female characters, following his own film 4.3.2.1, and now this’’. It looks like Noel is single headedly changing the movie landscape for actors in the UK.
Damian revealed his biggest tip for getting into the film production industry is to get a driving licence as no producer will hire you without one as so many shoots are on set miles away in lonely desolate areas. He also added that working with Tupac on Gridlocked was an amazing experience for him and that Tupac was indeed a very young actor in the prime of his life.
If you have young people that need inspiring with some hot ladies in lycra in the run up to our Olympics next month then go check out FAST GIRLS this week!

TOBAGO FASHION WEEK!

DESIGNER ROMERO BRYAN WITH HIS £250,000 WHITE SWAROVSKI DRESS!
Even bullying birds, giant frogs and cayman alligators couldn’t stop me enjoying the 2nd annual Tobago fashion week!. Flown out via Monarch airline, (which I assumed, would be very Easyjet like and not fabulous at all,) I was pleasantly surprised to find it the easiest cross Atlantic Caribbean trip I’ve ever had. The premium Economy seats were more than comfy, the food was as good as Virgin Atlantics and the check in queues non-existent! A great experience!

On touch down at ANR Robinson airport in Tobago (named after Trinidad and Tobago’s 3rd president Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson) I was scooped up Tobago Tony who settled me into the extremely lush Tobago Plantation Villa’s adjacent to the new Magdalena Grand Hotel (formally The Hilton). This meant I had the best of both worlds. I was able to have my own self contained apartment with TV, air conditioning, balcony overlooking a lush manicured golf course and my own kitchen so I was able to cater for my own food needs. I was also able to amble 2 minutes next door to the Magdalena Hotel pool overlooking the ocean with its stunning pool, friendly and immediate staff (a rarity in the islands cos let’s face it-the staff out there don’t have a reputation for being feisty and stush for nothing!!) and take advantage of their restaurants for business meetings with a round of golf too!

THE LUSH TROPICAL GOLF COURSE AT TOBAGO PLANTATIONS!
Whilst the golf course was breath taking to look at and walk across it came with its own hazards. On the first day I was merrily minding my own business admiring the lush ocean and greenery whilst cutting across the course when a seagull swooped down at me screeching and squawking away hysterically. It then soared away and took a further 3 run up’s and used my head as a landing runway over and again as I freaked out arms flailing and screaming at it to shoo myself! When reiterating my experience to the other crews there from BET, VIBE magazine and local Trini press they laughed and suggested I must be mistaken. So the next day I had them walk with me (safety in numbers) and lo and behold the bully bird came and ran up upon us all causing much merriment! As if that wasn’t enough I also needed to look out for cayman alligators in the lakes on both sides of the path and giant bull frogs sitting on the narrow hump back bridge glaring at me!.(And if you’ve been reading my Juice for a while now you’ll recall that nature likes messing with me. from dolphin attacks to searing my legs underwater on rusty old anchors, I’ve had a few natural dramas LOL.

FASHION AT THE SHOW!
The Tobago Plantation location was buzzing like an annual summer fashion party as the designers, models, international press and organisers were all located on the same site so the pool on downtime was like a catwalk show in itself. I was glad that British designer Romero was out there with his mum Marcia who luckily gave me lots of good advice about how to behave in the Caribbean when talking to service staff (STUSH!) and to put absolutely everything in the fridge from sugar to sun lotion to crisps in case the sugar ants got it!-thanks Marcia!

MY TOBAGO PLANTATION VIEW FROM MY VILLA!
The fashion weekend began on the Friday night with a cocktail party at Basso’s Bar at the main Pigeon Point Heritage Park venue, where the TFW 2102 runway was officially opened on the waterfront with breath taking views of the sandy catwalk and moon dipping into the dark ocean in the background of the fashion showcase. The audience was then treated to a brief preview of a few pieces from some of the designers who participated in Fashion Week. The main catwalk shows days were Saturday and Sunday.

JASMINE ON THE NYLON POOL/ CORAL REEF TOUR!
In between the evening events we were treated to daytime boat cruises around the island, taken to Booku Reef and Coral Gardens) where we learnt a lot about the underwater fish as we watched their fascinating colours in their natural habitat. Our teachers were pair of very animated seamen called Captain Harry and his mate Michael who was on the mic. They answered all our embarrassing tourist questions. ‘‘Will they bite us’’? ‘‘What’s that fish called’’. ‘‘Are they following our boat?’’ ‘‘Will they sting us?’’ and so on. I learnt my lesson about not touching coral in the ocean years ago when Mariah and I had a swimming race where she advised me not to touch the rock that we were swimming towards. Not heading her advice I jumped up onto the ‘’rock’’ and had a lovely bright red rash all across the back of my thighs all summer long. Lesson learnt. Nothing touched. Our trip out to the nylon pool-a vast area of turquoise Blue Ocean that is so shallow that you can walk in it for miles was visually stunning. They revealed that each dip in this water took 10 years off your age. So technically I am now around 4 years old readers! Our adventure was finished with a fresh crab dumpling lunch on the shore.

Photo by Mark Gellineau for TrinidadLookbook.com.

So Show day 1 started with a bang. As we arrived they were on BMT and so final touches were still being made as they finished off building the stage. We laughed but hey as they say ‘’we’re on Caribbean time-it’s a vacation so no complication’’ (must be said in a laid back Trini accent!)
I was chuffed as I was sat in the very craved for front row seats alongside the other international press and celebs. There was a sudden flurry of excitement as the paparazzi started popping off their flashbulbs at a couple I didn’t recognize. I was informed it was American professional boxer Shane Mosley (IBF Lightweight Championship, WBC & WBA (Super) Welterweight Championships and WBC, WBA (Super) & The Ring Light Middleweight Championships). I could tell he was someone by the cut of his clothing, his manner and oh yes, the diamonds that were dripping from his very pretty lady friend who had her well endowed chest area out on a plate which had all the men mesmerised.
As usual for all events that I’ve attended in the Caribbean the night started with all asked to be upstanding for the singing of the national anthem. (Can you imagine if this were a law in the UK? -there would be riots!) . I smiled as I heard the anthems lyrics include the lines ‘”islands standing side by side in the deep blue sea”. The UK’S might say an ‘’island all alone that bullies the world with its grey, wet skies’’

My favourite collections from day 1 were by well known and respected designer Meiling whose clothing saw a great set of lovely easy long flowing summer style casual wear that would translate easily for the European clientele on a Sardinia beach.

Designer Geopal had loads of Kids strut their stuff in bright greens, lush blues, pink and purple. Once again we were impressed by the kids modeling-they can workkkkk it!

A great capsule collection made by Andrew Harris with his menswear modeled by strapping hunks (clever guy) had ladies in the crowd screaming and yelling with whoops of appreciation. There were white shirts juxtaposed with knee length schoolboy shorts and cute Stripy candy cane shorts. All which had a very European Puff daddy on the yacht feel.
Last year, many of the audience were gutted that they couldn’t immediately place orders for garments they’d seen on the catwalk so this year the event upped their game by holding daily sessions where fashionistas could place orders there and then at the fashion park! So if they saw a piece they liked on the runway they could purchase it the same evening. A show and a shop-heaven!
As well as being able to buy clothes immediately, the newer designers were also able to take advantage of major workshops, which were held during the day, by the more experienced designers like Meiling who were able to help guide and inform them a little more. New designers all agreed that the workshop with Meiling was very informative as the veteran designer explained many things about fashion and the industry that they had not known before. They added what was especially informative was information on the business aspect of fashion and getting into the export market.
TFW 2012 was organized by Designers United Stores (DUS), a non-profit group dedicated to enhancing the local fashion industry into a thriving and viable enterprise with entrepreneurial opportunities across many sectors. In its second year, (TFW 2012) continued the momentum of last year’s success by increasing the featured designers-around 24 this year. 99% of designers showing were from Trinidad and Tobago. I would suggest that in future to broaden the international appeal, at least 50% should be from foreign shores. Designers like the UK’s Romero Bryan for example who opened the show on day 2 clearly was a class above the rest in terms of couture. Mixing mainstream international designers with more local talent would help bring wider press awareness to the event.
120 young models were used to show off the clothing and these models were not only great clothes horses but unlike more western catwalk models had strong, athletic bodies that were exciting to watch in comparison to the usual skin and bone models we’re more used to on western catwalks. The models had character, personality, attitude and were so much fun to watch and admire.

JASMINE WITH 12 YEAR OLD MODEL JANELLE
I am always amazed at the number of young child models involved and how professional and composed they are. The kids designs are numerous and impressive. I caught up with 12-year-old model Janelle after the show. Janelle has been compared to a young Rihanna with her fair skin and light green eyes and is generally tipped for the top. Many may have concerns that she isn’t living her youth to its fullest but when chatting to her she seemed extremely grounded telling me she’s a tomboy at heart and not really a girly girl for the dresses she models. She eats what she wants and enjoys showing off the clothes. Originally from London her family moved to Tobago many years ago and now are thinking of moving to Paris to break Janelle into her next stage of her modelling career.

YOUNG MODELS WORKING THE CATWALK.
The final day-day 2 of the event saw the Caribbean paps get very excited by the arrival of Anya Ayoung Chee ( Miss Trinidad and Tobago Universe 2008 and also the winner of Project Runway’s ninth season in 2011. ) who hundreds of attendees gathered around for photos and autographs.

JASMINE WITH ANYA.Photo credit- Maurice Goddard…

JASMINE WITH ROMERO BRYAN
Starting off the show on the final day was the UK designer Romero Bryan. I met Romero years ago when I was an MTV NEWS presenter in 1998 when he came to the Met hotel to try and get Destiny’s Child to see his dresses. I helped get his designs to the girl band and he continued his relentless career himself showing his wares on celebs from Kelis to Samantha Mumba and more recently supermodel Alek Wek. Romero’s designs blew everyone away last year but this year he took it to another level with his chiffon flowing silks. Long knee length cocktail dresses all mono chrome. All extremely Sexy. Classy. Breathtaking. Particularly one long white gown that was covered ion Swarovski crystals that he sells at £250,000! Gulp!

ROMERO BRYAN’S £250,000 DRESS!
Of course-fashion tastes vary and whilst I like to stay open minded about all looks and styles, there was one designers’ collection -Francis Hendy -that frankly contained so many garish coloured suits and such perplexing pairing that was so mismatched that frankly it made me wanna chuckup. I did however like a lot of Christian Boucards stuff- his leopard print chiffon capsule collection reminded me very much of early Roberto Cavalli designs. I also thought Hak Gui’s collection of bright rain macs with cutout backs was very cute and edgy and would work well here in the UK.

It was refreshing to see a couple of collections included for ‘’the fuller figured woman”. After all, it’s always like the elephant in the room when clothes are shown off on stick thin models so you have no idea how things will look on real women. Many real women and men modeled and it was great to see that the audience reacted to it well. If we had more shows like this our youngsters wouldn’t grow up with unhealthy body image issues of themselves!

I WASNT MAD AT THE MALE MODELS EITHER!
The show closed with a very dramatic final theatrical performance of a clothing collection by ‘‘the cloth’’, which saw models dance trancelike down the catwalk in a contemporary dance meets African dance set. A unique and dramatic way to close the weekend.
Tobago fashion week really showed that the islands are moving fast and will soon be playing on the much wider world stage when it comes to fashion. The American press was literally falling over themselves to get shots of the Jamaican style lycra clothing that we often see in Dalston Market. There’s no doubt that these small island designers should not be overlooked when it comes to European fashion showings too. A few summery style ethnic pieces could work well alongside any new york, Milan or London fashion week moment of fabulousness!.

For my final 2 days I visited a very important Trinidadian media big wigs home aptly called Coolo Breezo up in the Tobago Hills. It was a stunning house not very unlike the home of Richard Branson in Necker Island where I stayed in the past. All open plan to the winds and classically furnished with a swimming pool and tennis courts overlooking the island it truly was paradise. Perched atop Lambeau Hill Coolo Breezo is a 3 bedroom villa offering panoramic views across Tobago and aptly named for its constant Caribbean breeze. We spent a wonderful afternoon and evening here drinking Ciroc cocktails as we flitted between swimming in the pool and relaxing in the Jacuzzi. Next time I am in Tobago this is where I want to stay! (smile)…..
One afternoon I was flicking through the guest guidance book and laughed hard as I read ‘’ we know that some visitors to the Caribbean assume that all West Indians move around in a permanent haze of marijuana smoke. Though some people do indulge this is hardly the reality. Marijuana is illegal to grow, sell or possess. Do not consider taking drugs out of the country under any circumstances. Customs officers have seen all the methods of concealment. A long stint in a T& T prison is not the joyous experience you might think it is ‘’ LOLOL!
Roll on 2013 and Tobago Fashion Week!-it will be a contender on the world stage very soon-mark my words!