What were your first thoughts when you heard about Kingston, Jamaica?

I remember first hearing about Kingston when I was a little kid and remember thinking it sounded like an exotic mysterious place filled with cool music and intrigue.

Do you remember where you were and who mentioned Kingston?

Growing up on Long Island, New York as a little kid in the ’70s we didn’t have a lot of Rastas so my curiosity was piqued by these mysterious men and their long locked hair whenever I saw pictures of the people.

And your first impressions?

Yes, about eight years ago. I had friends staying in Kingston and we visited a friend who had opened a recording studio. It was during the Christmas holidays and we roamed around in Port Antonio and on our way back spent two days in Kingston. It was really interesting to visit the Bob Marley Museum and explore the roots of reggae.

This is your second time at Ocean Style what brings you back?

Every time I’ve been to Jamaica I’ve had an amazing time! The last time Ocean Style invited me down it was right at the beginning of the financial collapse and I needed to de-stress. My Ocean Style fashion weekend was the perfect answer, I love to meet people from different countries and I love the Jamaican accent. Ocean Style really knows how to organise a glamorous weekend! I got to hang out with people I knew from the business in New York but had not spent much time with. In fact, Sheree from the Real Housewives of Atlanta is one of my new homies because of that Ocean Style weekend.

What’s your current take on the fashion scene?

One of my fave things happening in fashion right now is that you don’t have to spend millions of dollars to look like a million bucks! With more and more stores opening that cater to those with a taste for fashion, but not big budgets, you can find lots of fantastic choices. We just had a new store open in New York called “Uniqlo” and they have beautiful cashmere sweaters for $49, and although there is not much use for them in Jamaica they are a requirement in NYC from Sept-April and $49 is an extraordinary deal!

Who sizzles as a fashion personality?

I think that now more than ever we’re seeing a constant fusion of pop culture and fashion, and with that said you’ve got to put the Kardashians at the top of the list. Although I don’t think their fashion sense is all that adventurous — it’s basically a little black dress or a cute little outfit to go shopping — if you turn the volume down they actually look great. Jennifer Lopez hits it out of the ballpark every time and I can’t seem to get enough of Beyoncé, even when I am overdosed on her. I think girls to have a style-stay-to-watch are: Lea Michelle from Glee, Olivia Wilde and for taking risks and creativity you can’t overlook Niki Minaj, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga — though their looks are “performance ready” they are definitely not day-to-day wear, they seem to be in a constant frenzy to outdo each other’s “over-the-top” fashions. And oh yes, the fourth wheel to that ‘triumvirate’ would have to be Rihanna she would actually just have to keep her clothes ON to be a little bit more fashionable over the last year or two. I’ve constantly wondered when just a bathing suit has become a full outfit. Oh Fashion! you gotta laugh and love it.

Who’s the current go-to-designer?

I love the classics like Carolina Herrera and Oscar de la Renta. For fun, great looks, Catherine Malandrino, has a unique yet wearable perspective and for fantasy evening wear, it’s Marchesa all the way!

You’ve styled some of the biggest names in Hollywood take us through some of your more memorable jobs.

The job allows so many moments where you feel, wow I can’t believe I’m here! For example working on Michael Jackson’s last photo shoot (of course we didn’t know it would be his last photo shoot) for the cover of Ebony and a cover of Jet magazine. It’s really cramped and we’re downstairs the Brooklyn Museum, there are these wires everywhere, it’s all cramped and then all of a sudden Michael’s humming “mamsaymamasa ma makusa” and it’s just kind of amazing when you realise some of the places you have ended up. It’s just in those moments that you can say WOW! I can’t believe I’m here — I’ve heard this song a million times and I’m actually here with him singing it! And then moments like with Halle Berry winning the Oscar… it’s hard work but in those little magical moments you realise how fulfilling your life is.

What would you have done had you not entered the world of styling and by extension become a fixture on the red carpet?

Oh My God! Well the real answer (laughing) is probably a drug dealer on the corner in Long Island!! I mean I don’t know, that’s where I was headed! But I had an architect teacher who was very helpful to get me in the right direction. One day I went to see the movie Mahagony and I said I’m gonna be like that I’m gonna be a fashion designer, I’m gonna be a model, I’m gonna go to Europe, I’m gonna travel the world and meet interesting people, go to glamorous places. It was many years later when I met Diana Ross (star of Mahogany) and told her the story, which made her laugh. Everybody has their own destiny and as long as you don’t fight your destiny; the thing is, if you work with your destiny things can happen for you.

What are some of your current projects?

My favorite project and the one that we’re putting the most time into right now is Cause Celeb which appears on ABC. You can view it at abcnewsnow.com. It’s a show where I interview celebrities about their charities. We just interviewed Christy Turlington last night and this week we interview Andy McDowell. Steve Harvey and Susan Lucci are coming up. I have my regular styling projects and I am starting a new book with Patrick McMullan very soon.

What was your last bit of last retail therapy?

Very recently in fact… there was outerwear from Timberland — they make really cool boots but I love their outdoor jackets. I also recently stocked up on Nikes, some Hugo Boss tuxedo shirts, there was something from Rag & Bone and also some cool Pumas from designer Alexander McQueen. The good thing now is I love me some sneakers — comfortable and yet they have become so stylish. Last but not least, I bought a bunch of shirts from Express.

And the last bit of music that stirred your soul?

Lloyd and Maroon 5. I love that Maroon 5 Moves like Jagger song. I’m also a major Beyoncé and Lil’ Wayne fan.