A birthday soirée to remember

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

Luvs, like every other teeming metropolis, Kingston is a multilayered city, pregnant with possibilities and abuzz with the energy of its competing and complementing social forces!

Not only is Kingston the party capital of the Caribbean, it is also the region's leading trendsetter in matters of style, fashion, culinary fusion and appreciation; and definitely when it comes to throwing or hosting anything social.

My darlings, two Thursdays ago, the charming and enterprisingly fab Suzanne Morris - Kingston's leading lady of contemporary designs and offerings - opened up her workshop/backyard and threw what was unquestionably one of the season's best birthday soirées. This one will be long remembered for its ultra-fabness and contempo styling!

My darlings, it was my dear and late friend Geraldine Brooks (an American who served here with USAID) who warned that one should be wary of Jamaicans when they invite you to a party and say its informal, or that it's not a 'biggie'.

She cautioned back then that if you were to ever take them by their word and show up in anything but your 'Sunday best', then you will rue the day you did, and live to regret such a transgression!

Case in point, the party Morris hosted to celebrate her birthday on the eve of Labour Day.

To begin with, the invitation was a very informal one, coming as it did over the telephone, with no particular dress prescription.

Well, my dears, pity those who did not get the memo. For those who did, the dress code made it an all-white affair. And mercifully enough, guests were sufficiently so advised to make the event a spectacular out!

And then there was the business of it not only being a party to commemorate her birthday, as it was actually a double celebration! Her friend Nicole Dixon also shares the same birthday, and they decided on making it a double celebration.

What was already one of the city's most fashionable chill spots, Morris' gardens and yard were done up to capture the essence of a top-notch bistro/lounge, accented by white ottomans, bistro seating; with wine bar and another for hard liquor. A coterie of friends drawn from childhood and business, all came together making it a simply picture-perfect outing!

Dears, no drama here. It simply was not that kind of a party. It was, however, a party styled to perfection, as it clearly was a gathering of the beautiful people, the chicsters and, of course, the reigning fabulocracy, and baby dolls, how!

Dears, this was a party where ease was the order of the day. Upon entry, guests were met with the reassuring presence of a battery of uniformed security officers, who saw to parking detail. Entering the actual venue, they were welcomed by either their drink of choice, or a steaming cup of giant prawn soup. But what made the whole affair that much more enjoyable was the fact that there was a social intimacy that made for an especially warm atmosphere. Everywhere one looked, there were familiar faces- in friends or acquaintances of long-standing, and not a list of names and personalities culled together for cause and effect!

And dears, it all made for a very special celebration.

Luvs, of all theme parties, this here scribe is partial to the all-white. This theme lends itself to an aura of high-glam and artistry that in and of itself lifts the mood of guests and transposes them to a place of unquestioned relaxation. It lends itself to everyone not just having a good time, but enjoying each other's society!

And so it was, my dears. So it was!

And what a night it proved!

Imagine a garden, accented by statuettes, objets d' art, craft, art, gargoyles and other creatures, life-size animals and beautiful one-of-a-kind accent pieces. Then, my dears, only then will you be fully able to appreciate this garden, bustling with guests all clad in white - as a battery of nattily clad staff served up some absolutely fab concoctions.

And my dears, there was the fare!

Oh my word, what a treat! We are talking a cultural fusion here like everybody's business. There were sushi, roasted pork, garden herbs and fruit salad. Coconut-crusted fish, pickled codfish fritters topped with mango salsa; smoked marlin pesto pasta and a dessert station to die for. It included tiramisu, tropical fruit cups, assorted petits fours; plus birthday cakes, all added up to a truly delectable spread!

Dears, no long-winded speeches here, but a sufficient interlude to toast the birthday girls, and loads of partying. Way into the next morning!

But what a night! In a word - fabulous! Among those out sharing in the festivities were celebrated musicologist and musical historian Herbie Miller; the charming Margaret Silvera; Dr Nigel and Alvita Knight; the unflappable and oh-so charming Marilyn Bennett; renowned management consultant Carl Bliss; the stunning Deidre Hart-Chang; Gregory Mayne and his fabulous wife Michelle; the charmingly fab Taynia Nethersole; the dapper Richard Oliver and wife Elizabeth; the charming Tanya Phillips; Chunky and Melanie Schwapp; the fabulous Anna-Kay Zaidie-Lazarus; the celebrated Colin Hilton; the dapper Richard Elliott and the lovely Jacqui Wilson. Also in attendance were Justin Hadeed-Awn; the fab Maxine Hogarth-Spence; Andrew and Nicole Price; Miguel Bernard and his companion, the fabulous Nicky Channer; Christopher and Marsha Pinkerton; Lainsworth Walker and the fab Paula McKay; event stylist Audia Archibald; Captain Dwayne Fuller of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and Constable Sasha Walker; Angelique Reid; Jomo Palmer; the lovely Carol-Jean Haslam; Kirk and Melissa Holbrook; Andrew Woolery; Simone Chin; man-about-town Byron Purkiss; Maxine Wilcox; the fab Stefanie Thomas; the affable Brandon Ferguson; Grace Nash; Cecile Chin; and Pascal 'Al' Mitchell; plus several others.