Time to get fab for Fashionweek

Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

My darling dears, the more things change, the more they remain the same - politicians err. The Gleaner, the nation's first defence against elected tyranny and corruption, speaks to the issue, politicians take to their cheap platforms and seek to vilify The Gleaner!

Call this here scribe biased, but on any given day this scribe is prepared to accept the word of The Gleaner over that of our self-serving politicians.

Anyway my daahlings, this newspaper is not the issue here, nor for that matter is WikiLeaks - the issue here is our politicians and their scruples, or lack thereof! So Gleaner, in your quest for transparency and good governance, keep on embracing all methods available to you, to shame these people into doing the right thing for country and nation, over party and self.

Then my dears, it's that time of the year again when the fashionable, so fashionable, fashionistas and fashion-hopefuls, from all across the island, join with their international counterparts to focus on Kingston, Jamaica, as the 'Ackee-Pod' plays host to the region's and diaspora's leading fashion designers, hot models and fashion scribes in readiness for the annual staging of the region's hottest and most-watched event, Pulse Caribbean Fashionweek.

fabulous mix

Dears, this year the promoters/organisers are promising yet another fabulous mix of Caribbean fashion, music and muses in a weeklong spectacular that will showcase the very best of the region's culture, that Pulse's General Manager Romae Gordon says will be not only a crowd-pleaser but that they will be pulling out all stops to make this year's show and production simply the best!

Well my dears, here in Kingston, where fashion is more personality driven, the designers are all ready to parade their stuff, but for many, it will be all about who will be the models showcasing the designers garbs! And honeys, the likes of the sizzlingly hot international face of Polo, Oraine Barrett; and Jeneil McKenzie, Nell Robinson will be headlining Jamaica's hotlist of runway stars. Designers from Suriname, Switzerland, Haiti, Belize, Canada, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Trinidad, Guadeloupe, and naturally Jamaica, will present one fine fashion extravaganza here, and nothing but!

Well my dears, it's all about prepping for CFW and that means wardrobe planning for the various nights at the National Indoors Sports Centre, not to mention the various hot after-parties first at Studio 38, at the Pulse headquarters along Trafalgar Road, on Friday. On Saturday, the party moves to Fiction; and on Sunday, the grand finale will be about being seen at Club Privilege.

So y'all know, come next week, this here scribe will be out and about, lapping it all up, and then some.

And speaking of things fashionable and the haute-happening, happy birthday wishes to Pulse founder and trailblazer Kingsley Cooper, who celebrates his birthday today.

And also celebrating today is the fab Maxine Plummer, formerly of Linstead, now in Florida.

The lovely June Danvers Hughes celebrates her special day tomorrow. As will the fab Nadine Parkes; Anthony Ewbanks; and attorney Sean Clarke, in Mandeville.

celebrating next week

On Sunday the 5th, former first daughter, Anabella Seaga Mian, will celebrate her very special day at her Florida home, a week after her dad celebrated his special day.

Also celebrating on Sunday will be the illustrious Barbara Blake-Hannah; artist Andy Jefferson; and the eminent Winston Ewart.

On Monday the 6th, among those celebrating will be author and journalist Oliver Hill; the lovely Marie Berbick, in London, England; and Ryan Powell in New York.

On Tuesday the 7th, former parliamentarian Marjorie Taylor; celebrated photographer Brian Rosen; songbird, the fab Lorna Bennett; the elegant Del Crooks; the lovely Gianna Fakhouri; and the lovely Junia Williams of Morant Bay, St Thomas, all share the same birthday.

On Wednesday the 8th, Shiella Lee will celebrate in Toronto, Canada; the fab designer Sydoney Massop; Jennifer Westcarr-Marshall, formerly of Linstead, St Catherine, now resident of Atlanta, Georgia.

Come Thursday the 9th, designer Michelle Haynes; actor Carl Davis; poet and social commentator Gina-Rey Forrest; the lovely Delrose Bahadure; AnneMarie McNeill, now in Belize; and the fab Suzie Bovell, in Florida, all make it a very special day of birthday celebrations.

And especial belated birthday greeting to TVJ's 'pastor', Raquel Jones; Oswald Hines of Old Stony Hill, who both celebrated on the 31st.

Many happy returns to y'all, with champagne toasts and beluga treats!