Fri | Feb 20, 2026

Something Extra | Monday

Published:Monday | May 26, 2025 | 12:11 AM
Pause
Bookstagrammer Cindy Allman turned the page on island style in a breezy, printed pants set from Jae Jolly.
Nathaniel Stewart
Bookstagrammer Cindy Allman turned the page on island style in a breezy, printed pants set from Jae Jolly.
London author of ‘For Such a Time as This’, Shani Akilah, delivers effortless charm in a citrus-hued floral ASOS dress, paired with a woven straw bag and minimalist sandals.
Nathaniel Stewart
London author of ‘For Such a Time as This’, Shani Akilah, delivers effortless charm in a citrus-hued floral ASOS dress, paired with a woven straw bag and minimalist sandals.
UK-born, Jamaica-based designer Karen ‘Mama K’ Witter brought Afro-Caribbean regality to Treasure Beach in a vibrant patchwork dress from her Inside Out Boutique. 
Nathaniel Stewart
UK-born, Jamaica-based designer Karen ‘Mama K’ Witter brought Afro-Caribbean regality to Treasure Beach in a vibrant patchwork dress from her Inside Out Boutique. 
Kai Williams (centre), an instructional designer from Brooklyn, struck a balance between ease and edge in striped trousers and a fitted tank from Zara. Beside her, Kingston-based attorney-at-law Justine Collins (left) opted for a leaf-print strapless dress
Nathaniel Stewart
Kai Williams (centre), an instructional designer from Brooklyn, struck a balance between ease and edge in striped trousers and a fitted tank from Zara. Beside her, Kingston-based attorney-at-law Justine Collins (left) opted for a leaf-print strapless dress from Coochiannas, while Amarli Monderoy, a sales manager from Arima, Trinidad, brought texture and movement in a fringe-detailed co-ord from Bari, Mexico.
Kamilah Taylor, a director of engineering and Kingston native, now residing in San Francisco, showcased effortless island elegance at Calabash in a fun floral off-the-shoulder dress from Rent the Runway.
Nathaniel Stewart
Kamilah Taylor, a director of engineering and Kingston native, now residing in San Francisco, showcased effortless island elegance at Calabash in a fun floral off-the-shoulder dress from Rent the Runway.
From left: Media veteran Fae Ellington, Foreign Service Officer Dahlia Gillings, acclaimed Jamaican poet and author Kei Miller, and Tamara Merchant strike a pose during Calabash 2025 at Treasure Beach. 
Nathaniel Stewart
From left: Media veteran Fae Ellington, Foreign Service Officer Dahlia Gillings, acclaimed Jamaican poet and author Kei Miller, and Tamara Merchant strike a pose during Calabash 2025 at Treasure Beach. 
Renowned poet and author Olive Senior (left) shares a warm moment with drama educator Zahra Warner.
Nathaniel Stewart
Renowned poet and author Olive Senior (left) shares a warm moment with drama educator Zahra Warner.
Miss Universe Jamaica Central Akedia Morgan (centre) made an appearance at Calabash in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, joined by her first runner-up, Leanna Spencer (right), and second runner-up Tasharrie McLean.
Nathaniel Stewart
Miss Universe Jamaica Central Akedia Morgan (centre) made an appearance at Calabash in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, joined by her first runner-up, Leanna Spencer (right), and second runner-up Tasharrie McLean.
Chinelle Miller turns heads in a flowing gold-and-white halter dress at Calabash 2025, bringing a touch of island glamour to the festival’s celebration of literature and culture.
Nathaniel Stewart
Chinelle Miller turns heads in a flowing gold-and-white halter dress at Calabash 2025, bringing a touch of island glamour to the festival’s celebration of literature and culture.
Jamaica-born, Brooklyn-raised Jomo LaMont, aka ‘Blakstar’, rocks a patchwork vest layered over a tank top with harem pants from T&T Fashions, purchased at Calabash 2023.
Nathaniel Stewart
Jamaica-born, Brooklyn-raised Jomo LaMont, aka ‘Blakstar’, rocks a patchwork vest layered over a tank top with harem pants from T&T Fashions, purchased at Calabash 2023.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

At Calabash 2025, the books had spines — but so did the fashion, with opening night showcasing a sharp interplay between literary depth and sartorial flair.

The visual language on Friday, the opening night, was as nuanced as the readings themselves. From the poetic provocations of Safiya Sinclair and Alexandra Fuller, to the continent-spanning dialogue of authors such as Mahtem Shiferraw, attendees arrived in head-turning ensembles that balanced relaxed island ease with editorial edge.

Flowing linen in muted tones, bold African prints, structured kaftans, and accessories from hand-forged brass cuffs to intricately beaded clutches — Calabashers gave an aesthetic rooted in heritage but styled for the present.

Something Extra turns the page on style.