THE ‘YES’ LIST

Welcome to our annual RSVP issue — inviting the in-crowd. The parties have certainly started in earnest, but as the discerning set are only too aware it has never been about quantity. Clinking glasses with those with real access — a solid bank account certainly doesn’t hurt either and being on the verge of success adds currency too — recite the adage: ‘success has many parents… failure is an orphan;’ and you’ll better understand. The intimate gatherings attended by the real power brokers are the ones at which we all want to be a fly on the wall. It’s a difficult list to curate (we’re using the latest buzzword) — but somebody has to do it. The truly smart host knows that a great party list weaves power and prestige, the ‘It’ factor and the ‘WOW’ charm. Old money, new money and yes, there’s nothing quite like broke-but-still fab. Our list includes those seldom seen out; those we see all the time, but still can’t get enough of… Let’s really get the party started as SO lends a hand and reveals those who need to be seen at your party.

The HOSTS WITH THE MOST

Gulu & Veena Chanrai

She’s totally irreverent, while he of little words, nods and smiles before meting out solid advice. Together they are a formidable force and their dinner parties — epic.

Nevada Powe

This bon vivant throws the best curated guest list dos where the art crowd-meets-uptown-meets-the-unexpected. The perfect recipe for a memorable night.

James & Manuela Goren

With homes on two continents, the Gorens are utterly charming Euro sophisticates and just the pair to host a fab movie night in the screening room of their Tryall seaside home.

Sheila & Tony Hart/Anthony & Jean Watson

Let’s just say that making their guest list not only allows access to a wonderfully eclectic salon but you will in a relaxed space — when you have it there’s no need to flaunt it — ask the Creator for continued blessings to make the next.

Patrick Smith

The global traveller, consultant and absolute consigliere hosts the perfect soirée in suitably civilised style. Be on your best behaviour to ensure further invites.

Jimmy Joseph

Fuse old-world charm with cool styling and impeccable manners and you’ll understand why Jimmy’s hearth is where many delight in being — and getting him to show up at your party truly matters.

Josef Forstmayr

If you’ve been lucky to make it to a Hanover Charities or New Year’s Eve Ball at the über-luxe Round Hill where the irrepressibly charming Forstmayr is managing director, then you’re infinitely aware ‘basic’ knows not his vocabulary.

Frederick Moe

This smooth operator — who dances a mean tango and boasts a timelessly poker-faced mug — throws the type of party that could reduce many — if not invited — to a life of futile existence. Add him to yours, throw in a little Latin music and give him space on the dancefloor.

Anup & Bina Chandiram

A quote from business titan Warren Buffett, “Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago” — best summarises the staying power of this couple.

Xavier & Roma Chin

Champagne. Check!

Time to traverse the globe. Check!

Want to laugh until you cry? Check!

This is tableside with Roma and Xavier Chin.

Danville & Sharon Walker

Off-the-clock, the eternally-savvy Observer Managing Director Danville Walker’s eye remains keenly affixed on the bottomline, but paired with his graphic designer wife of 20-something years, Sharon — this dynamic duo are unstoppable with their own unique brand of appeal.

Mark & Paula Kerr-Jarrett

Their guests span continents yet gather comfortably around the Kerr-Jarrett orbit, be it Jamaica, North America or Europe. The fairer Kerr-Jarrett is queen bee at bringing people together and loves nothing better than to entertain with haute aplomb.

The A-TEAM

Ann-Marie Wyss

This goddess of entertaining’s digits remain on speed dial for every well-heeled host of The Rock’s Who’s Who who require her fabulous blend of understated drama.

Selena Wong

The go-to name for confectionary statement centrepieces.

Alecia Woodbine

The tenacity of this Second City-based pâtissier is as admirable as her impressive creations.

Brian Lumley

Whether at the gas/electric range in his signature ebony-hued leftie glove or sharp in a perfectly tailored suit courtesy of Carlton Brown, Lumley is the chef/patron everyone clamours to know and perennially guest list topper — and yes, even for the New York Times.

Anna-Kay Tomlinson

With a banner year of stellar publicity (this impressive reel includes glowing mentions in The New York Times and on The Food Network), the comfort food restaurateur Anna-Kay Tomlinson’s Miss T’s selection is perfect fare for the festive buffet line.

Celeste Gordon

Finally, someone to cater the most intimate of dos with panache.

Claudette Tenn

Homestyle fare prepared with warmth and unconditional love by the formidable matriarch, who so many — via their tastebuds — have adopted as a second mom .

Solomon Sharpe, CEO at Main Event & Stephen Steele, co-founder & chairman of iPrint Digital

Because ordinary no longer cuts it.

Christopher Reckord

Constructing the perfect wine list from the ground up? WhatsApp Christopher Reckord — wine dealer, de facto sommelier and Observer vino pen.

Jacqui Tyson

The Jamaica Observer Food Awards-winning Tyson is a triple threat: culinary genius, event stylist extraordinaire and all-round professional.

Ardelle Dalla Costa

‘Excellence is in the details’ and make no mistake, the interior specialist trains her pupil on just that.

Garth Walker & Leighton Davis

With ‘Wealth’ as their constant motivator, trying to take over the world is just another day at the office for these strategic media moguls.

The VELVET ROPERS

Theresa and Andrew Roberts

Talk about flawless entertaining and the Roberts — who shuttle across the Pond and their Hanover Grange manse at Tryall — come instantly to mind, having welcomed foreign boxing champs, haute couture designers, globe-trotting filmmakers, and a cavalry of glitterati, into their inner sanctum.

Karen Clarke

And yes they came! Long before the current wave of celebrity baiting, Karen Clarke of An Elegant Affair was already making insider phonecalls to Hollywood A-listers like Gabrielle Union, Malinda Williams and Gina Torres (Laurence Fishburne’s other half) to take much needed time-out on The Rock. This year it was all about Zendaya. Reason enough, we reckon, to make fast friends with Miss Karen.

Susie Berry of Whisky Productions

Berry’s inside connections run gamut — from the Oval Office (that would be former leader of the Free World Bill Clinton) to the pinnacle of bestseller charts (Think: literary mind, Malcolm Gladwell).

Jon Baker

When two of the planet’s biggest pop stars Beyoncé and Katy Perry check into the hotel you man — and yes, we’re talking Trident in Portland — and share larger-than-life snippets of their vacay with their devoted fanbase. It’s called: great word-of-mouth!

Ugo Fiorenzo

He’s a charismatic Italian and Gruppo Campari exec who spent his childhood in Boston, adores his madre, the good life, and exclusively rocks bespoke suits — any more questions?

William ‘PD’ Pierce

Miami-centred Coldwell Banker realtor William Pierce knows a thing or two about million-dollar real estate, which naturally puts him squarely in the line of high-rolling homeowners and flippers.

Dave ‘Squeeze’ Annakie

The debonair Fiction Fantasy principal, never more that six degrees separated from music and reality television stars — is your man the next time you are up for rubbing shoulders with the likes of Karruche Tran or Trey Songz, Annakie inside the VIP lounge.

Alexx Antaeus

From organic cornish hens to Grecian sushi, our Greek by way of New York restaurateur is determined to shake things up a whole lot and this he does in his own inimitable way night after night.

The COMEBACK KIDS

Dominique Silvera

Finding a new lease on life in BIM, the SilverSun Caribbean director and mother of three is, well… ready for her moment in the sun.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

Famous for her ‘laid-for-the-god’ tresses as she is her track prowess, Jamaica’s pocket-rocket will stir lots of conversation at any holiday do. For starters, the former Waterhouse resident is now our newest ambassador-at-large and we’re sure there are plenty more accolades to come.

Grace Silvera

We’re dubbing her’s the year’s biggest corporate comeback… for just when we thought she was merely settling into her new role as Cable & Wireless Communications Plc (CWC) Global Director of Communications and Culture, we were thrown for a loop as the nation woke to headlines screaming of what could arguably be described as the Caribbean’s most significant telecoms merger to date. Have Grace in the mix and the conversation is sure to ‘flow’.

The ICE-BREAKERS

David Barber

Half Moon – A RockResort Marketing and Communications Director’s sardonic wit is biting, and may make you gag on your hors d’oeuvre in an unexpected fit of laughter.

Cecile Levee

To know her is to understand that this glamour puss-cum-children’s author is a firecracker. Personality, on-cue cheek and memorable one-liners for days are the traits that make her a fixture at any fab do.

Nadiya Figueroa

Armed with both beauty and brains — the change-focused Rhodes scholar and National Integrity Action Deputy Director, External Relations is sure to stir ambitions of nation-building and challenging the status quo well before you exit your next cocktail or dinner party.

Eesa Mohammed/Dwight Scott/Kiev Wilkie

Great conversationalists individually, together this business partner triumvirate adds a welcome touch of enjoyable machismo to the party.

Duane Smith

This rising Jamaica Labour Party politico is equally dapper and intellectual — a two-fold necessity that holds promise should a return to office be in the cards for the JLP.

Nicole Smythe-Johnson

The art curator, whose impressive work for law firm Myers, Fletcher and Gordon’s art exhibition Trajectories, back in July, that paired the firm’s collection of master artists with on-the-verge talent, is guaranteed to have informed opinions on the state of the Jamaican art scene.

Nicholas and Brooke Benjamin

The scions of the Guardsman Group are sure to offer insights into what will be their next-generation approach to running dad Kenny Benjamin’s empire.

Monica Zijdemans

Ensure the Manchester-resident Villa Bella proprietor is always pencilled in. She’s equal parts live-wire and tied to celluloid history (prepare to be regaled with tales of her roles as an extra in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Don’t Look Back In Anger). Did we also mention she’s 80 and fabulous?!

Chris Hohn

Billionaire hedge funder (CHECK), recently divorced (CHECK) largest divorce settlement in British legal history (CHECK)

Jamaican roots (CHECK)… you were saying?

Zachary Harding

Why? Like duh! he’s related to Chris Hohn

Tanya Shirley

The fearless poet is part of a new generation of outstanding female poets in the region and steadily proving that she’s among the best poets the Caribbean has to offer – male or female – period. She’s a definite fun addition to your list one you can tell your guests anointed by Professor Helen Tiffin during the Fourth Edward Baugh Distinguished Lecture in 2011 as one factoring in that contemporary wave of Caribbean writers who are set to significantly impact the future”.

The HOTSTEPPERS

Peter Lloyd

The Digicel marketing director has that endearing Irish charm we quite fancy, but is, too, seasoned in the ways of corporate branding. We’re still loving the telecoms brand’s Christmas TV adverts with its arsenal of ambassadors as agents. Go ahead, ask him what’s next.

Chronixx

If you can book The Rock’s hottest musical export for your upcoming Yuletide do, then your stock just went up.

Jeremy Whittaker

As the auteur-of-the-moment, Whittaker’s debut film, Destiny — a welcome departure from the violent subject matter that typifies Jamaican movies — is still filling seats on the cinema circuit. Catch barside to get deets on his next film project.

Kamal Bankay

This renaissance man is a ringmaster of party-hearty events that skew toward the young, fab and internationally exposed.

Nasha Monique Douglas

The Heineken brand manager is renowned for aligning with or hosting cloockwork-perfect events that seek to elevate the lager’s ‘fun-tastic’ profile. She’s on her way up so stay close.

Rhys Campbell

The young, bright, articulate, and well-connected corporate exec is back home after a successful stint in the Twin-Island Republic as head of corporate and regulatory affairs for British-American Tobacco’s Caribbean operations. Now at JPSCo, under its head of economic development mantle, Campbell’s definitely a must-invite.

Kirk Hamilton

Keen on forging wealth-creation linkages between The Rock’s entrepreneurial-minded, established brands and investors with deep pockets outside Jamaica — the Infiniti Partnerships founder and CEO understands the importance of seeing the bigger picture.

Roy Reid

The physically (and ambitiously) towering client portfolios and investment strategies manager at financial services firm Jamaica Money Market Brokers, is the strategist ushered into the room when it comes time to elevate matters to ‘ handled’ proportions.

Michelle & Suzanne Rousseau

Alternating seamlessly between culinary television hosting and cookbook authorship — the Two Sisters And A Meal siblings never shy away from indulging in new sensations.

Balram Vaswani

It’s called the audacity of hope and don’t get it twisted! Balram Vaswani’s new position as chief ganja officer (CGO) at the US-based Ganja Inc and associated companies puts him at the epicentre of a high-growth industry.

The MIDAS TOUCHSTONES

Nadeen Matthews

The former senior associate at McKinsey & Company, Atlanta Georgia and assistant vice-president at JPMorgan Chase, New York, has made her presence felt at NCB where she’s head of strategy. Pick her brains on wealth, global trends, juggling a career and motherhood, and you’ll understand why she’s in high demand.

Patrick Hylton

The NCB Group Managing Director is more inclined to enjoy a quiet evening at home, so pat yourself on the back if he accepts your invite — and if you make his dinner guest list: please arrive on time.

Richard Byles, Philip Armstrong & Donovan Perkins

Sagicor Strong! To further elaborate would take forever.

Roger Grant

The Centre Director at Scotia Private Client Group is suave, personable and gets invited to all the right places.

Chris Berry

If you’re looking for an ear to gripe to, then forget Chris Berry’s. He is startegic, solution-oriented and is serious about wealth creation.

Jacqueline Sharp

It’s been a year since Scotiabank’s woman on top has occupied the proverbial ‘corner office’. Invite her to the party and she’ll dish secrets about shattering the glass ceiling while balancing family life.

Marcus James

Don’t let his boyish grin fool you, Marcus James is a beast of a businessman. Just think of the lawsuit levied against him, a multi-million dollar company hanging in the balance and choosing a board 101 and there’ll be lots of lessons to be had, but over cocktails, of course.

Glen Christian

The godfather of pharmaceuticals in Jamaica, Cari-Med chairman is as fun loving and good-humoured as he is serious about wealth. We’re sure he’ll receive tons of heartfelt congratulatory wishes as the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica 2014 inductee while on the cocktail circuit this season.

The CONSCIOUSLY COUPLED

Luke & Nicole Flynn

And just like that, the ridiculously genetically blessed pair are officially off the market, having tied the knot with only a whisper. The curious will want the lowdown on the nuptials; we’re sure not even vino sips will make details spill.

Kate Hendrickson & Gerard Fontaine

As scion to the Hendrickson Group hotel conglomerate, she’s the stylish director of special projects; her beau, the president of the insurance company Fraser, Fontaine and Kong. An on-the-rise power couple worth adding to your guest list.

Melanie & Philip Schwapp

These two have a masterful way of making their love seem effortless. Never too far from each other’s side and definitely not afraid of the dance floor, Mel and Chunky Schwapp are sure to be the life of the party.

Rebecca Packer & Shaggy

They’re officially husband and wife so you might just score a peek at her wedding dress as well as the PM who was in attendance

Delano & Ro-yen Forbes

The newly-wed glow still shimmers for the Phase Three Productions CEO and his Alliance Investments Manager wife, and between them, there’s enough youthful exuberance and thoughtful convo to keep you interested.

Yvonne & Michael O’Grady

London-based school principal Michael O’Grady and his RJR Communications Group Director of Communications and Multimedia wife Yvonne Wilks-O’Grady are quintessentially British: equal parts impeccable manners and cheeky humour.

Jackie & James Lechler

Whether it’s a quiet weekend in Portie hanging with the other members of ‘The Marshas’ and their hubbies, or revelling at a jam-packed soca fete, these two are always up for a good time.

Keneea Linton-George & Brian George

The chic Mission Catwalk executive producer and host, her The Supreme Ventures President and CEO hubby have undoubtedly made their mark in business and television spheres. Both are certain to have great how-to’s should you seek their advice between dinner party bites.

Paul & Marie Smith

Separately they are shrewd entrepreneurs, together they are a force to be reckoned with. They took our collective breath away — hitting Europe this summer in unimaginable style.

What’s it like making reservations in Monaco, Paris and London as Paul Smith and getting red carpet treatment since the assumption was that Paul Smith the celebrated British designer was checking in?

Erroleen & Phil Powell

The consummate chicster (Is that another LV bag?) and her former diplomat hubby are always ready to paint the town in technicolor.

Adam & Simone Jones

We like keeping up with the Joneses — particularly this adorable pair of husband-and-wife attorneys-at-law, who make for effortlessly gracious company.

Kent & Melanie Levy

Young, classy entreprenuers who are quietly making their mark without the usual boorish fanfare.

The MOGULS

Draw near and be inspired.

Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart

R Danny Williams

Joseph A Matalon

Anthony Watson

Kevin Hendrickson

PB Scott

Michael Campbell

Tony Hart

Michael Lee Chin

Douglas Halsall

The GRAND DAMES

Each has earned their spot on this most coveted list. Game changers all — what would the social landscape be without them? Less than glamorous for sure.

Lorna Myers

Lois Sherwood

Ruth Hussey

Michelle Bovell

Jeanne Watson

Thalia Lyn

The IT-GIRLS

Krystal Chong

The former chief marketing officer at Honey Bun swapped The Rock for a New York zip code, where she is currently using her marketing and communications expertise and has a gorgeous, genteel Norwegian (Lasse Hamre) as a constant companion. Great fodder over champagne toasts.

Trusha Beecham

If you’re looking to make an edgy, head-turning appearance at your next party, remember the name Trusha Beecham. The owner of the downtown retail haven Sabritru has cultivated an ardent rank of fashionistas that you should perhaps consider joining.

Antoinette Parsard

Giving Kim Kardashian a run for her make-up money, Parsard continues to nail it with her uber-trendy mani-pedi hotspot Duchess Nails Bar. Ensure your nails are fab when in her presence.

Jessica Huie MBE

Recognition from Her Majesty is nothing to sneeze about, and this Brit-born public relations guru of Jamaican heritage, who received the Order of the British Empire in June for services to entrepreneurship will hold your attention both with her brains and beauty.

Tamu McPherson

Attorney by profession, fashion blogger McPherson bobs and weaves through fashion capitals New York, Milan and Paris with native ease. Whether it be her natural hair journey or fitness scorecard, she raises the black, green and gold high and consistently sets the bar for global elegance with her blog, www.alltheprettybirds.com

Dr Brittany Banbury

Young, fab, and following in the footsteps of her medical doctor parents Althea and Michael Banbury — her impeccable pedigree makes her a must-invite.

Dr Sara Lawrence

Double the exposure, double the fabulosity for the former pageant queen-cum-doctor who landed brand ambasador gigs with L’Oréal and LIME. For Lawrence, pretty doesn’t hurt.

Toni Spence

The radiant Ms Spence is a dynamite package of intellect and genteel refinement. A class act personified in a gorgeous petite frame.

Kaci Fennell

Our fingers are crossed for the poised, Audrey Hepburn-loving, beauty queen gamine to take home the Miss Universe crown come January 25. In the interim, issue her invites to gab pageant strategy and get her in the frame for your next round of holiday selfies.

Tshani Jaja

Count us fans of the arresting Jamaica Yellow Pages marketing manager’s upwardly mobile trek on the industry ladder.

Jennifer Azan

Surely you want your guests to turn up on trend feeling even more fab than they already as you delight in the knowledge that your wardrobe is in those safe ‘Flirt’ hands.

The ARTISTIC LEAGUE

Bernadette Matalon

Matalon caused a social frisson, making her debut as a ceramicist at the recently held exhibition ‘Emergence’ –with the talent to back it up.

PJ Stewart

A perennial presence in art circles, the master painter’s broad strokes remain as impressive as her love of philanthropy.

Patrick Waldemar

He came, he saw, he conquered and is an artistic genius to boot. His homes would impress Ralph Lauren… need we say more!

Pat Ramsay

Life begins after 70, for the art consultant and philanthropist. On to Ramsay Version 2.0 — currently in Massachusetts on a fellowship from Harvard University’s Advanced Leadership Initiative. We’re sure there are classroom stories aplenty about Ivy League higher education.

Ebony G Patterson

Never one for artisitic modesty, mixed media artist Ebony G Patterson made another bold statement during Carnival Sunday’s Bacchanal Road march in April with her installation ‘Invisible Presence: Bling Memories’, a conceptual masterstroke that was visual stunning and socially conscious.

Phillip Thomas

His oil paintings and mixed-media works combining imagery and tradition of the old masters with contemporary textures and patterns is winning accolades in art circles here and abroad. Plus, Thomas was honoured in October by the Institute of Jamaica with a Musgrave Medal for his art. Prince Charles is a fan too.

Maxine Walters

Air Jamaica founding flight attendant-turned-Rock-film insider Maxine Walters impressed us in March with her Harmony Hall Gallery-hosted exhibition ‘Serious Tings A Go Happen’ of street signs she collected over a decade, climbing many a ladder to remove. Assured funny tales must abound.

Veerle Poupeye

The National Gallery executive director wields artistic power — she heads the island’s premiere art space for the legends and ones to watch, the latter of which are put in the spotlight with the Gallery’s always well-received Biennial exhibition.

Tanya Shirley

Sharon Leach

We’re super-excited with the release of the smartly crafted Love It When You Come, Hate It When You Go, the newly published short story collection by author Sharon Leach (the Observer’s Bookends editor). A woman of real substance to add artistic depth to the party.

Marion ‘Lady Saw’ Hall

The erupting war of words between Macka Diamond and Lady Marion was ugly for a while there, but Hall left the kerfuffle with the undisputed title Queen of Dancehall intact, and her heels on!

The FASHIONISTAS

Kurt Campbell

The designer showed his winning sense of style, emerging champ of Mission Catwalk Season Four. He’s a hot commodity at the moment; so put in your orders and make pleas for custom-made clothing to wear for your next Yuletide do.

Janelle ‘Jae’ Jolly

This local designer has quietly improved her stitching eye and her cruise collection will — we’re wagering bets — land her in Porter magazine.

Kai Newman & Tami Williams

The Saint International model combo of Newman and Williams, had a fantastic run on the catwalks during the international fashion capital-hopping Spring/Summer 2015 shows, for the world’s biggest designers. Then came editorial shoots in Glamour and W Magazine and campaign shoots for Tommy Hilfiger and River Island.

Jessica Ogden

Always one to watch our design genius calls Paris home but her quilts are global treasures. She’ll bring you up to speed on staying the course and the importance of hubris.

Kate Moss

The supermodel makes Ocho Rios a frequent vacay stop and there was a moment there that we heard she was this close to closing on a vacation home here. If you can make the right connections, she’s quite the celeb addition to your party list.

Ayanna Riviere

The Trinidad-born other half of filmmaker Storm Saulter is making a name on her own merit — as a fashion designer. The boho-chic Rivere is a natural beauty who can trade style pointers on looking like an effortlessly cool hipster.

Kristia Franklin

The fashion merchandiser and University of Technology student knows a thing or two about making a stylish impression. She’s the one whose ensembles catch the eye.

Toya Taylor

The advertising sales exec and trendsetting headturner is moving into the realm of fashion designing, and debuted her eponymous fashion label start-up at Pittsburgh Style Week back in August.

Sayoko Takase

Hands down, the Japanese fashion-plate is the best-dressed diplomatic wife.