With a recently concluded CFW stint, and an appearance on the Dulce de Leche runway, it’s a wonder the striking and svelte Leah Mari Guevara had the time to sit for cocktails with the Style Observer. The fashion model turns heads wherever she goes, and we wanted to find out more about why many find this Trinidadian beauty so alluring. Join us while we have Cocktails with… Leah Mari Guevara.

What are you sipping?

An apple martini.

What’s it like for you being here in Jamaica?

It’s like a second home. I’m very comfortable here and have great friends.

Socialite or homebody?

Socialite. I love to lime!!

Flats or stilettos?

Stillettos… though there are some really nice flats out there these days.

What’s your personal style?

Easy, but always well put together.

Who does your hair?

I have a different hairstylist for different reasons. For extensions, Clem Lue Yat in Trinidad, and for relaxing and haircuts, Neil Farina

in NYC.

Who does your nails?

Allane Lumy in Trinidad.

What’s in your handbag?

In my pewter-blue Guess handbag, I keep connected with my BlackBerry Curve 8900. For on-the-go touch-ups I carry a travel-size folding hairbrush, Blistex Medicated Mint lip balm and Victoria’s Secret lipgloss in Toasty Almond. A packet of Wet Ones wet wipes on hand for those unexpected emergencies, and to keep my breath fresh, a tin of Irony Peppermint sugar-free mints by Hint Mint. To top it all off, I never leave home without my Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses.

What’s the best thing about being a model?

The opportunity to wear all the fabulous clothes!! And, having a first look and option of buying pieces.

The worst?

We spend a lot of time waiting around for either fittings or hair and make-up.

When not on the catwalk, where can we find you?

In Trinidad working with Spice Carnival Band, and styling shoots for Caribbean Belle Magazine.

What current projects are you working on/involved in?

I am part of the design team for Spice Carnival Band, so we are getting ready to launch C2K11 in August 2010. In July, I’ll be in the British Virgin Islands for the big Summer Sizzle fashion show.

Where next will we see

your face?

Again for Spice, as Carnival is a big business there (in Trinidad) and I also model for their costume lookbook.

What’s on your iPod?

Chrisette Michele, Alicia Keys, Usher, Drake.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever given?

You are the sum of your experiences, good and bad; it makes you who you are.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

‘Live for yourself, that is, be happy but always be good to others.’

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

A mother, fashion editor, and maybe opening a modelling agency in Trinidad, because we have so much talent but no one to manage them.