One night in Marrakesh.
How does one follow up – and exceed – an event such as the 2005 Style Awards, with its glowing white motif?
Why, one heads to the desert, of course. And so it was that as the clock turned over from Friday night into Saturday morning, guests trekked across the ‘symbolic Sahara’ and into the softly opulent world of Marrakesh, the theme for this year’s Observer Style Awards.
MC Novia McDonald-Whyte soon had the gathering settled to hear who would receive the spectacular ceramic Aladdin lamps designed and made by Margaret McGhie.
Retailer Ammar’s pulled off a double by repeating as Retailer
of the Year, while Heart and Sole copped the Boutique of the
Year award.
‘Lotto lady’ Ann Dawn Young Sang breezed away with the Most Stylish Woman in Business award, while hardware business scion Roxanne Shields chose an emerald green dress to accept the award for Style Moment of the Year, for her head-turning carnelian creation worn to the ‘Royal’ wedding of Garth and Keneisha Walker.
But the night belonged to St Mary’s finest, Marion Hall, known to the world as Lady Saw, who garnered most votes for the Digicel People’s Choice award. Saw, bedecked in a mint-green ensemble, received the dream accessory – a Motorola Gold Razr, Dolce & Gabbana special edition, courtesy of Digicel. With her birthday bash coming up, Saw can now communicate in style with her hit-making overseas guest, Akon and Remy Ma.
This year’s Style Man is haute hotelier Josef Forstmayr of Round Hill Hotel and Villas, while Sheila Benjamin was Style Woman of the Year. Both were given Bijoux ‘bling’ gift sets.
The award for Style Couple of the Year capped an extremely fortuitous period for Michael Subratie of Hot Shots photo, who shared the award with his wife, Melanie. Most Stylish Man in Business awardee was Barrington Chisholm of Scotiabank.
This year also saw two new categories, Stylish Hosts of the Year, which went to Anthony and Jean Watson, who are renowned for their parties, while Model of the Year was Jaunel McKenzie.
The official segment of the night ended with the ‘crowning’ of Designer of the Year, Carlton Brown, the de facto king of menswear. After the awards ceremony, it was time to party, savour the Moroccan fare, or head to the martini bar.
