Countess Antonella Camerana, widow of Count Camerana, first cousin of the Agnelli family — founders of the iconic Fiat motorcar — at Shaggy and Friends and later on at Stella on the Sea, Tryall, Hanover.

Originally from… Rome, she now lives in Milan where she’s one of the premier hostesses of the social and cultural life in the city.

What else… she was on the board of directors of the foundation of one of the largest Italian banks, Cariplo.

She now devotes her time… to being a director of the Missione Sogni — a charitable organisation, just like the Make a Wish Foundation in the United States — granting wishes to terminally and critically ill children.

What brings the Countess to Ja?

The memory, she tells SO, of a very brief visit on an ill-advised Caribbean cruise. “I stopped in Montego Bay for less than a day

and obviously hardly saw anything. But I kept the desire to return and see more. A cruise is definitely a bad way to go about seeing the Caribbean, especially when it comes to Jamaica, a country that has so much to offer on an extended vacation. Also, I trusted implicity my friend Viviana, sister of James Goren, and I was sure that my stay with the Goren family at Tryall was going to be an unforgettable holiday.

The highlight of the Countess’s trip thus far…

The discovery of the spirit of this island. While Jamaica has certainly embraced modernity in many ways, there’s still that feeling of tradition and old-world charm. I hope that this never gets lost. I love to see that certain places such as Tryall or the Half Moon Club still carry on with a Jamaican tradition of wonderful service and charm. I hope that the people of Jamaica realise what they possess in terms of cultural and natural heritage. I’d love to see that well-preserved, particularly in the high-end resorts.

Let’s hope that the real-estate speculations do not get in the way of conserving the natural environment and the traditional architecture of this country.

On the Shaggy experience…

Aside from the music, which was sensational (I’m now a fan of Shaggy, Ne-Yo and Tessanne), I have to say that I marvelled at the wonderful skills of the organisers of the event. Every detail was taken care of, from the food stations that offered delicious fare, to the red-carpet atmosphere, to the premium bar, helpful staff and entire ambiance. I have rarely experienced such an incredible organisation, and I was surprised that hardly anyone was smoking; there was no pushing and shoving, no drunkenness. You should see some of the events in Europe. We have a lot to learn from Jamaica.

Other attractions visited included Devon House and the old Synagogue in Kingston, wonderful examples of architecture and conservation. On the way back to Montego Bay I stopped in Falmouth to see some of the Georgian architecture and even visited my friend James Goren’s project at Holland Estates — what a great affordable housing complex for all Jamaicans!

On the recent purchase by the Agnelli family of the Chrysler brand…

I think this is a great marriage for Fiat. Like other European brands, such as Volkswagen and Peugeot, it was time that we found a good companion for the Fiat brand. It’s a historical move and Fiat’s CEO Sergio Marchionne is a genius who has been able to make this move because he’s not encumbered by political interests (like, unfortunately, so many things in Italy) Bringing Fiat to America is a terrific idea.

What’s your definition of style?

Style is something that cannot be bought. It is innate and when someone has it, it permeates anything the person does, from clothing to surroundings. It is difficult to learn… it is not a question of money. It can be traditional or quirky, classy or funky, but you either have it or you don’t!

Your favourite Italian designers?

The mainstays for me are Valentino and Prada and a little bit of Armani, but one has to discover what suits a person and then it doesn’t matter if it carries a famous label or not. I love to go, when I visit with my daughter in New York, to the Barneys floor with all the new designers; the Japanese or the Dutch, for example, fascinate me. They do not always suit me but they intrigue me.

Must-see places in Milan…

In Milan one should definitely go to the Brera Quarter, with its Fine Art Museum which is a must, but also all of the little boutiques, art galleries and the famous Bar Giamaica — a bar named after your island — that has seen some of the most interesting people, artists and authors who have ever passed through Milan. It’s an institution and a part of the bar culture of Italy, where people congregate, drink, talk, discuss and create. The other interesting area of Milan today is the Corso Como Quarter with its shops, bars and clubs, a little more pretentious but still a lot of fun.