Stewart, Blackwell take 'Jamaica Vibes' to New York
Sandals Resorts International Executive Chairman Adam Stewart addressing the Jamaica Vibes function in New York last Wednesday.

Sandals Resorts and Island Outpost last Wednesday celebrated the publication of Jamaica Vibes — a coffee-table book that gives readers an intimate portrait of the island's vibrancy and mesmerising power — in New York City.

Adam Stewart, the executive chairman of Sandals Resorts International, and Chris Blackwell, the legendary hotelier and Island Records founder, came together in New York's Soho to host the celebration against 360-degree views of the city's skyline and breathtaking sunset hues.

Blackwell contributes a foreword to Jamaica Vibes, which is published by Assouline and authored by Lisa Lovatt-Smith and Novia McDonald-Whyte.

Guests included a mix of dignitaries, press, celebrities, and others from the worlds of music, fashion, and media, including Jamaican Cabinet Minister Matthew Samuda, actress Gina Gershon, Griffin Dunne, actor Erich Bergen, LEON, photographer Sante D'Orazio, Kelly Bensimon, actress Michele Hicks, Karen Duffy, Carole Radziwill, Dorinda Medley, Ann Dexter-Jones, and her daughter actress Annabelle Dexter-Jones, Prospier and Martine Assouline, Jason Weinberg, models Sophie Sumner and Alex Lundqvist, Fern Mallis, Jimmy owner David Rabin, The Point Guy Brian Kelly, event designer Preston Bailey, and fashion designers Dennis Basso, Stan Herman, Jeffrey Banks, LaQuan Smith, Peter Som.

Island Records founder Chris Blackwell (second right) is flanked by (from left) Marika Kessler, Elisabeth Noel Jones, and Cricket Azima. (Photos: Madison McGaw/BFA.com)

Media in attendance included Harper's Bazaar, New York Post, Travel Weekly, Vanity Fair, Vogue, Town & Country, HGTV, Cosmopolitan, Forbes, and Bloomberg .

Guests enjoyed the roof-side ambiance as the sun set and a Caribbean band played with specialty cocktails and cuisine curated by Jamaica's own Rousseau sisters on location.

Stewart addressed the guests, inviting them to come to Jamaica for a visit. "Between Island Outpost and Sandals, Chris and I will definitely have a place for you to stay," he said.

The pair own more than 10 hotels on the island on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, including Sandals Montego Bay flagship and the recently opened Sandals Dunn's River.

Blackwell owns celebrity magnets Goldeneye, Strawberry Hill, and The Caves.

"With the UN in Session," Stewart said, "we are calling this the downtown Jamaican summit."

Blackwell brought along a case of his rum, Blackwell Black Gold, and a bottle of his limited edition 007 Reserve for the group.

Guests (from left) Brian Kelly, Dorinda Medley, and Eddie Roche
Jennifer Zuccarini and LaQuan Smith enjoying the event.
Lana Ogilvie and Ronnie Madra share lens time at the Jamaica Vibes event in New York.
From left: Martine Assouline, Prosper Assouline, and Jamaica Vibes co-authors Lisa Lovatt-Smith and Novia McDonald-Whyte.
The book event would not have been the same without George Wayne (left), Faye Rodney, and Karl Rodney.
Co-hosts of the Jamaica Vibes celebration in New York Adam Stewart (left), executive chairman, Sandals Resorts International, and Chris Blackwell, legendary hotelier and Island Records founder, have a chat.
Victoria Brito (left) and Ann Dexter-Jones oblige the photographer.

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