Of royal visits, supporting Caribbean creativity, birthdays and commemoration

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

Dears, while those in favour of Jamaica cutting constitutional ties to the British monarchy (I among them), are questioning the propriety of the country forking out just over $3 million dollars for the official visit of Prince Harry, the third in line to the British throne, I have no such question. The international exposure the visit brought to destination Jamaica makes it money well spent. Both the BBC and CNN have been carrying clips of the Prince's visit and, luvs, it's been all fabulous!

Dears, from the now famous prime ministerial hug, to the mock race between the visiting prince and world sprint king, Usain Bolt, and the various stops in between, including a visit to the Bustamante Hospital for Children and the prince's meeting with Rita Marley, the world media has been eating up the coverage and sharing it with viewers. And, dears, it's making for nothing but fabulous coverage!

Luvs, definitely a hot number!

And speaking of hot numbers and things British, dears, kudos are pouring in for the Caribbean Export Development Agency's (Caribbean Export) and its CEO, Pamela Coke-Hamilton for her effort which facilitated Caribbean Fashion being seen at the international fashion showcase during London Fashion Week (LFW) 2012, last month.

The event coordinated by Pulse is being hailed by fashion insiders as a very timely demonstration of the agency's commitment to the con-tinued growth and success of the regional creative industries sector.

This year's exhibition, supported by Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), and in association with the Caribbean Fashion Industry Association (CAFIA), showcased collections from designers from the various countries across the CARIFORUM region.

It represented a first as the enterprise sought to harness and channel the potential of the creative industries of the region as well as promote economic growth and the stature of London Fashion Week.

This signature marquee event was the ideal platform to not only showcase regional talent but also build on the success that the region is making to promote the sector as a viable contributor to the export diversification and development of member states.

And, luvs, the reviews are all in and they have accorded the effort as a fabulous success with many clamouring for more such collaboration! Dears, more anon!

Birthdays

And speaking of fabulous people, places and events, birthday wishes are extended to: the multitalented Irving 'Carrot' Jarrett, formerly of Third World; the fabulous Nina Pfab, the fab German fiancée of the dapper Sam James Jr; the lovely Evelyn McGee and the fabulous Alicia Jones - who all celebrate their birthday today!

Celebrating tomorrow will be: businessman Sean Azan; Holger Waehling; Tracey Miller Voelk; Julian Warren in Spanish Town; Horace Daley in in Fairfield, Connecticut and Delroy Morrison in the Big Apple.

On Sunday the 11th, birthday celebrants will include: Robert Louis Stephenson; the fab Cheryl Ryman; the fab Dollis Campbell; the charming Elizabeth Geddes; the stunning Nancy Walker in Hartford, Connecticut; the gorgeous Andrea Mundell-Bowen in London, England, and Shawn Catlin, also in the United Kingdom, who will all will make it a special day of celebrations.

Come Monday the 12th, among those celebrating will be: Dr Deborah Hickling, of the Office of the Prime Minister; the fab Kenisha Gooden-Gibson; the charming Jasmin Brown-Howell; the lovely Shernett Brown and the fab Lorraine Linton Campbell, now in Brooklyn, New York.

Tuesday the 13th will see social empress Thalia Lyn; Pierre Lemaire; the lovely Ealane Livingston Smith; the happening Alvarista Yorke; the fab Tesah Linton and the charmingly lovely Shelly-Ann Peart James, now in St Lucia, making it one very special day of celebrations.

Wednesday the 14th will see the charmingly beautiful Velia Espeut; businessman Carl Sharpe; the lovely Sahai Delfosse-Ingleton, now in Florida; the lovely Marie Sterling, now in Hartford, Connecticut; hotelier Devon Reid in Toronto, Canada; and the music industry's Errol O'Meally, now in London, England, celebrating.

Come next Thursday, the 15th, it will all be about wife of former German ambassador to Jamaica, Harriet Huber, now in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany; the lovely Elizabeth Levy; Rhylene Haughton, in Comfort Hall, Manchester; Hensley Cameron, in Montego Bay; the fab Deborah Burke-Green Stewart and the lovely Caroline Tomlinson-Pemberton, formerly of Morant Bay, St Thomas, now in Greensboro, North Carolina, who will be among the beautiful people celebrating their birthday the world over!

Many happy returns all around with champagne toasts and beluga treats!

We salute the 100th anniversary of the birth of the esteemed Lady Bustamante, on the commemoration of her birthday yesterday, March 8, also celebrated as International Women's Day.