First Things First…

The American Foundation for the University of the West Indies (AFUWI) celebrated its 25th anniversary awards gala in fine style at a new venue and with a stellar list of awardees.

Hosted at 583 Park, the prestigious new “of the moment” event venue in Manhattan saw patrons donning black-tie for a night of “gratitude and celebration”, as proclaimed by The UWI Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles.

Among this year’s awardees were distinguished UWI alum, Jamaican business leader and Senator Don Wehby, who leads GraceKennedy, the largest, most diversified corporation in the entire Caribbean”. Wehby received the AFUWI Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Global Business Leadership, and the GraceKennedy Group, which is celebrating 100 years this year received the AFUWI Corporate Award for Global Business Excellence.

The AFUWI Legacy Award was presented to Hon Gaston A Browne, prime minister of Antigua & Barbuda, while Wayne Berson, CPA, chief executive officer, BDO, USA, received the Pinnacle Award for Excellence in Financial Advisory Services; Dawnn Lewis, Grammy Award-winning songwriter, producer and actress — the Bob Marley Award; Ambassador Ralph S Thomas — the Pelican Award, and Graham Robinson, SVP & president, Stanley Industrial — the Caribbean Luminary Award.

Also…

Legendary make-up artist Pat McGrath, principal of Pat McGrath Labs, is finally dishing skincare to her fans and fashion icon Naomi Campbell is the face. Called Divine Skin Rose 001 and formulated by a Korean lab, the milky liquid that will launch on patmcgrath.com on Thursday, May 5 closely resembles a blendable essence, formulated with 97 per cent naturally derived ingredients.

In an interview with Vogue magazine, the Rock-blooded McGrath said, “The truth is I’ve been working on skincare as long as I have been working in make-up.”

Campbell also shared on Instagram, “I am so proud to be the Global Face for Pat McGrath’s NEW #patmcgrathlabsskincare. Whether I’m at work or just out and about I’m always asked how do I keep my skin looking so healthy and refreshed? A little over a year ago, Pat gave me #DivineSkin #Rose001 #TheEssence — direct from her Korean Lab. I incorporated it seamlessly into my daily skincare routine. I don’t go a day without it. The glow, the luminosity, the hydration — it’s unparalleled!”

CREDITS

Photographer: Steven Meisel

Plus…

Rock-blooded British designer Shanna Bent’s fashion label Maison Bent is now available at My Wardrobe HQ inside luxury Knightsbridge department store Harrods. My Wardrobe HQ is the UK’s leading fashion resale and rental marketplace platform. Customers can rent designer clothing at a fraction of the retail price while also having the option of paying a portion more for keeping them permanently.

Bent shared with SO2, “After purchasing their rentals online via My Wardrobe HQ or the Maison Bent website, stylists and renters can now collect their Maison Bent clothing samples within 24 hours from the My Wardrobe HQ concession inside Harrods.

A graduate of the Central Saint Martins and London College of Fashion, Bent’s design aesthetic, themed around “black luxury”, caters to the “Femme Du Monde” by providing the ultimate blend of minimalism and culture. The brand has been featured in SO, Forbes, The Guardian, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue and numerous other fashion publications.

CREDIT

Photos: www.mywardrobehq.com & Kirstin Sinclair

And…

American singer, actress, and producer Selena Gomez takes the Kira Necklace from BYCHARI by Jamaican-born, Los Angeles-based jewellery designer Chari Cuthbert to video-focused social networking platform TikTok. Meanwhile, American supermodel Rocky Barnes showed off her baby bump in Manhattan, New York, while rocking the Sade Hoops from said brand.

CREDIT

Photos: Matt Cooper, TikTok/@selenagomez & bychari.com

Etc…

American model and entrepreneur Jordan Craig, who shares a son with Canadian-American professional basketball player Tristan Thompson, is turning heads on the Rock once again. Since her last visit in 2020, Craig couldn’t resist coming back for more “island vibes.” On her Instagram feed, the model shared haute and fab looks in a series of pieces from her retail clothing brand What Jordy Wore, as well as precious snaps with her son Prince Thompson as they enjoyed rafting on the Great River in Lethe, Hanover.

CREDIT

Photos: IG/@alleyesonjordyc

Finally…

Guess who jetted in recently to celebrate her 96th birthday? The fab Elaine Ingleton, that’s who!

Ingleton the mother of noted New York dermatologist Dr Rosemarie Ingleton who took to Instagram to share her mum’s delight with her suite at Moon Palace and later shared highlights of her feigning indifference to the torrential rains and dancing into her birthday party held at a private villa in Boscobel.