In his latest book, Richer Than a Millionaire William D Danko notes that prosperity is the convergence of “good health, happiness, and wealth.” For generations the wealthy have eschewed high-street name brand labels and the season’s must-haves in lieu of education, holistic living, diversifying revenue streams and memorable experiences. This year has been replete with takeovers, takedowns and takeaways and the 2018 Yuletide party circuit will provide much fodder for intrigue, liaisons and networking. A great party has a multitude of touchpoints but we can all agree that although we will shrug off mediocre food and a limited bar, we will never forgive a poorly crafted guest list! Go ahead. Think of all the elements you love about your favourite occasions and you’d be hard-pressed to dispute the power great company has on your overall enjoyment. So instead of expensive trinkets that will be forgotten come Boxing Day, give your guests someone to talk about as you pepper your next big event of the season with the right cast. SO delivers this year’s RSVP listing. Knock, knock, knock, the envelopes, please…

His & Hers

Norman Horne & Ashley-Ann Foster

Chairman and Managing Director of ARC Manufacturing Limited & Attorney-at-Law

Horne and Foster are the couple who can make even the most boring guest feel like they’re fascinating. When you’re chatting with Horne and Foster they don’t break their gaze and give you the respect of paying you attention even when there are well-known people in the room. You’re guests will thank you for inviting them.

Ask Norman: About being recently conferred with an Order of Distinction.

Ask Ashley-Ann: About knowing when to know it’s time to change careers.

Don’t: Ask them to weigh in on local politics. Time and place folks.

Photo Finish

Asafa Powell & Alyshia Akua Miller

Olympian & Model

We reckon that an affinity for, as the kids say, “taking plane like bus”, has worked out for the 100m sprinter Asafa Powell. The Olympian snagged a Canadian model girlfriend who has graced the pages a number of magazines including Essence and Woman & Home. We are confident that this stylish couple would enthral even the most travelled guests with stories of vacations and being snapped by the paparazzi.

Ask: How they met.

Don’t: Ask how they make a long-distance relationship work.

Industry Players

Odetta Rockhead-Kerr & Phillip Kerr

Country Head Sutherland Global Services & Chief Internal Auditor Ministry of Transport and Mining

The Kerrs are enchanting and they are the sort of party guests who everyone will be glad that they met. Odetta will definitely bring the fashion and Phillip, the steely confidence. They are fantastic conversationalists and have a deep understanding of corporate and ministerial finance which they’ll actually make sound interesting.

Ask: About their Chaîne des Rôtisseurs membership

Don’t: Ask about money. Tsk tsk.

The Trend Watcher

Nigel Clarke

Minister of Finance

Another finance eagle who is hip and has style. Minister Clarke understands the important roles that creative industries like fashion and design play and just how these industries support the economy. He’s a forward thinker and is sure to engage your guests.

Ask: His opinions on Versace having been purchased by Michael Kors.

Don’t: Ask who he’s wearing.

Score Keeper

Charles Edwards

Coach of Barbican (Women’s) Football Club

Who wouldn’t want a professional football coach at a party! Imagine the stories and you can finally settle that bet that you’ve had with your brother for the last fifteen years about who has been the greatest Jamaican football player to-date.

Ask: How to support Barbican FC next season.

Don’t: Bash women’s football. C’mon now it’s 2018.

The MIT (Mogul-in-Training)

Adrian Lee-Chin

Investment Analyst

He’s not just the son of Michael Lee-Chin! This Harvard-educated businessman is a shrewd investment analyst at a privately-held investment company that has businesses in the fields of media, tourism and financial services. He has a broad knowledge of investments and business development and life in Jamaica and Canada has given him an intimate understanding of what will succeed in both markets.

Ask: About how to run a business in multiple cities.

Don’t: Get too inquisitive about his dad.

Engineering Cool

Glaister Cunningham

CAC 2000 Ltd Project Execution Manager

When you met Cunningham for the first time you may immediately think that he’s too cool to be an engineer. We jest. He is fun to have around a dinner table (especially if the topic of discussion is a hot-button issue), appreciates good food and brings his hosts good bottles of wine.

Ask: About his multiple degrees.

Don’t: Ask where you can get an inexpensive air-con unit.

Mr Gastronomy

Matthew Lyn

Chief Operations Officer of CB Foods

This trailblazer is doing his part to ensure that Kingston has a firm footing on the global gastronomy scene. The success of the recently-concluded Jamaica Food & Drink Festival proves that KGN is indeed a city worthy of culinary tourism.

Ask: How he does it all.

Don’t: Ask for passes for next year’s festival.

Marketing Whiz

Carla Hollingsworth

Pepsi Cola Jamaica Export Marketing Manager

Hollingsworth’s infectious laughter, marketing guru status and stories of hobnobbing with celebrities will sure to add a bit of pow and wow to your Christmas party.

Ask: About her love for music festivals like AfroPunk.

Don’t: Ask her to bring a case of chasers to the party.

Décor Superstar

Shikima Hinds

Tai Flora Luxe Director of Sales & Planning

There aren’t enough adjectives to describe the talented Hinds. Behind her megawatt smile and quiet demeanour lies a decorating superstar who, in a few years, we are confident will achieve Preston Bailey-level status.

Ask: About décor trends and how to save without sacrificing taste.

Don’t: Ask to borrow a few Louis ghost chairs for your next do.

Ambassadors-at-Large

Anusha & Dirome Anthony

British High Commission Vice-Consul and Regency Bar & Lounge Manager

Upon entering your event a hush will fall over the group of guests and someone will finally ask “who are they?” The Anthonys are a striking couple and their smiles could illuminate bathypelagic darkness. Anusha’s term has come to an end and they may return to Britain soon. So, get the Anthonys your invite ASAP.

Ask: About their love for Jamaica.

Don’t: Ask if they can get you an invite to Meghan and Harry’s baby shower.

#YesHeCan

Usain Bolt

Olympian, Entrepreneur & Professional Footballer

Your party will become a partayyy when this world-renown superstar shows up. Just make sure that you have high ceilings, Mumm Champagne and lots of chicken nuggets.

Do: Ask about his philanthropy.

Don’t: Bet that you can beat him now that he’s retired from Track and Field.

The Insider

Patrick Smith

Global Business Consultant

If he says yes, trust that this is an approval of your taste level. If he shows up, trust that you’ve arrived.

Ask: About his secret knowledge of fine wines and the best Four Seasons Hotels to kick-back in

Don’t: Ask him to get a summer job for your kid.

Spin Doctors

Chris Berry & Dr Patricia Yap

Chairman of Mayberry Investments & Dermatologist

This dynamic duo can elevate the most humdrum cocktail into an event! They possess tonnes élan, have been there and done that and done it again, and seem to always be on the quest to learning more. Also, even if they’ve only met you in passing they’ll remember your name and greet you like a friend.

Ask: About green shots, yachts and skincare tips.

Don’t: Ever ask them about their net worth.

Everybody’s Seasoning

Spice

Dancehall recording artiste and Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta star

Why Spice? Why not Spice? The minute she walks into a room, there’s no denying her presence, that’s why! For lack of overshadowing, you may very well want to ‘x’ her off the list, but best believe guests will want either a performance or to ask questions about her just-released Black Hypocrisy situation. The So Mi Like It singjay is not one to mince words, so tread lightly, and try not to bring up her children.

Ask: Which make-up artist gave her that three-day White Chick beat.

Don’t: Ask about the blow-up on live TV.

Runway Domination

Tami Williams

Saint International model

From fashion campaigns for luxury labels: Balmain, Chanel, Schiaparelli and Louis Vuitton to commercial campaigns for Zara, Mango and Jacquemus, Tami Williams has done it all while representing The Rock on the global fashion scene. Williams’ beauty and charm are among her best assets and she is able to carry a conversation about more than just fashion! Perhaps, the many continents she’s passed through, and the opportunities that the fashion industry affords thousands of young people. Dispatch the invite with a quickness, Williams may very well be booked out for the season.

Ask: Where she plans to matriculate and her course of study…

Don’t: Ask how to pronounce Demna Gvasalia or how she got the coveted pink tweed flap bag from Chanel Beach SS19.

Parents To-Be

Mick McGrane & Melissa Hendrickson-McGrane

Toyota Jamaica Ltd Branch Manager & Director in Charge of Special Projects, Courtleigh Group.

This is one hella charming couple! Mick’s Irish accented Patois is lovely to listen to as is watching his devotion to his wife. Melissa is bright and slightly reserved but once she realises that you are, as the kids say, “good people” her winning smile and melodic laugh will emerge. The McGranes won’t be able to party into that wee hours, however, as they’ll be adding to their family any day now.

Ask: About their daily work-out routine.

Don’t: Ask about deals on hotel rooms and new vehicles.

The Valedictorian

Khadine ‘Miss Kitty’ Hylton

Media Personality

If you’re expecting her to RSVP, make sure to send car services for the recent graduate of the Faculty of Law, UWI, Mona Khadine “Miss Kitty” Hylton. And, if she decides to show up, a security guard, make-up artist, hairstylist, and personal stylist, must be on retainer. She’s not one to mess with, so come correct, put some respect on her name, and title, and, if charm fails, “buss a Miss Kitty blank”.

Ask: About her late nights, early mornings, and trips to and fro The Rock in between prepping for finals.

Don’t: Ask about her claim to fame or how she maintains the body #touchytopics.

The Intellectual Whisperer

Ambassador E Courtenay Rattray

Jamaican Ambassador to the United Nations New York

Upon meeting Ambassador Rattray you may wonder if being debonair is a pre-requisite for joining the diplomatic corps. After getting to know him, however, you’ll understand that his intellect, supreme knowledge of international relations and public policy and charisma were what landed him the plum gig.

Ask: What the E stands for.

Don’t: Ask if you can send a Christmas gift through the diplomatic pouch.

Design Outpost

Marika Kessler

Co-CEO Island Outpost

She’s a noted interior designer who created the themes for the now-famous beach huts at GoldenEye. Kessler is in her own right a creative multi-hyphenate who has enjoyed careers in fashion, agriculture, interior design and hospitality. Wherever she goes people are immediately drawn to her and if that’s not enough reason to dispatch an invitation to her, it should be that she would bring along a bottle (or more) of Blackwell Rum.

Ask: About the 2019 renovation plans for Island Outpost properties.

Don’t: Ask for a complimentary weekend stay at Pantrepant.

The Iconoclast

Claudia Beyer

Mixed Media Artist

Beyer is a mixed media artist who has illustrated a number of children’s books, added a 3D transformation to quirky décor art, and had a fascinating life in NYC. Her fashion sense mimics a true eclectic, and if you ask, she’ll tell you: it’s vintage, mostly vintage, anyway. Beyer now calls The Rock home, and is a woman about town, just ensure the date is set in stone before sending an invite, as she’s often travelling.

Ask: About her life in fashion and the arts prior to coming to Jamaica.

Don’t: Ask her for a job at J Wray & Nephew.

Dollar$ & $ense

Chorvelle Johnson

CEO of Sagicor Bank

Her natural locs have been in the head seat at Sagicor Bank since the end of January. And in less than a year Johnson has proven that retail banking can be cool. We reckon that Johnson has read Shonda Rhime’s Year of Yes as it seems she has accepted every public engagement that she has been invited to. We can’t blame people for wanting her at their events. She brings gravitas, has a warm personality and is sure to wear an eye-catching fashion-forward outfit.

Ask: About her dedication to client experience

Don’t: Ask about increasing your credit card limit.

The Midas Touch

Damian & Danielle Duncan

Head of Mergers and Acquisiton & Head of Non-branch Channels, National Commercial Bank, respectively.

The Duncans are the sort of people that every grandmother’s spirit would “take to”. They are “salt of the earth” good and very intelligent. They are a budding finance power couple and when they engage in conversation they look you directly in the eye and for those moments you’ll have their undivided attention. They are well-read, ask amazing questions, are great listeners and can make strangers feel like old friends.

Ask: About the last books they read.

Don’t: Ask about NCB’s next big move.

A Woman for all Seasons

Marsha Smikle

Managing Director of Efficient Delivery Solutions Ltd.

Smikle’s company assists organizations to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs by facilitating the digitizing and indexing of all paper records. So, we reckon, that an e-vite will suffice. Ha! Smikle has no problem rolling solo, she enters a room and immediately introduces herself to the nearest person and a few minutes later you’d be convinced they were old friends.

Ask: How she grew a business in the midst of a recession and made it a success.

Don’t: Ask about her escaping the carnage of the Paris terror attack in 2015.

The Maverick

Christopher Issa

Managing Director of Spanish Court Hotel

Get him talking about his new S Hotel Jamaica in Montego Bay and you and your guests will come to see that each design element has been carefully chosen and that being a hotelier is not for the faint of heart. He’s a lover of great design, is an avid cyclist and altogether an ideal guest.

Ask: Why good design should be memorable.

Don’t: Ask how much it cost to build S Hotel Jamaica.

The Givers

Andrew and Theresa Roberts

Philanthropists and Caribbean Art Collectors

The Roberts have the royal seal of approval and we’re not saying that cheekily. Who else do you know has been personally invited to Buckingham Palace and has advised the Prince of Wales on how to grow his collection of Caribbean art? Exactly. In all this, the Robertses have remained humble and are dedicated to supporting a number of charities and being patrons of Caribbean artists.

Ask: About the rooms at their Hanover Grange estate that are named after local artists.

Don’t: Ask about the Duchess of Cornwall.